What is the Relief of a Coin?

By GovMint :

The relief of a coin refers to the parts of its design that are raised above the background (or field) of the coin. Consider relief as the three-dimensional aspect of the coin's imagery and text, which stands out against the flat or recessed background. This raised design is achieved during the minting process, where dies stamped onto the coin blanks (planchets) press the design into the metal. The height of the relief can vary, influencing the coin's aesthetic appeal and tactile feel. High Relief coins, with their more pronounced designs, can be particularly striking, offering greater depth and detail. However, striking such coins can be more challenging and may require multiple hits from the coin press to achieve the desired effect. On the other hand, low relief, or standard relief, coins have designs that are less raised and are easier to produce in large quantities.The relief not only contributes to a coin's beauty and collectability but also to its ability to resist wear over time, especially when in circulation.

Sources Used:

https://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids/coins-life/parts-of-a-coin