"The Head and Tails" Game has the different names and slightly different rules in each country, depending on coins images thrown in air. We all know that all coins have two parties. One, as a rule, represents the image of the former or operating head of the country and consequently has gotten the name "Obverse". Other party is called as "Reverse"; it can have an engraving or remain empty.
In different countries of the world this game used heretofore and continue to use improbable popularity. And everywhere it is named differently depending on images on coins. In England this game carries the name "Heads or tails". It speaks that the reverse of the British coin the ten pence represents a heraldic lion looking to the right with the lifted tail and the right fore paw. During the long centuries in the Great Britain game which was called "Cross and pile" was very popular. One coin was struck by edge of another, the first jumped up in air and the player guessed, how it will land. On one party the cross has been represented, that is a reason of the game name which has been borrowed in the Ancient Greece. There it was called "Ostra Kinda". Children threw a shell in the air one party of which has been covered by pitch. Players should guess, what party will appear upwards after the falling - "nux kai hemera, that is in a translation from Greek "night or day"
In Russia on the coin obverse the eagle is represented. On a backspacing advantage of a coin is engraved which is traditionally accepted to name "Tails". For this reason game is called "The Eagle and Tails". In Australia participants of game traditionally throw not one, but two half-penny coins. Scientists have found out that Roman Empire inhabitants knew about this game. Obverse of some coins had the image of the operating emperor, and on a backspacing there was a ship image. Therefore game has received the name "the Ship or Head", in a translation into Latin "Navia aut caput".
The Italian variant of game is called "Testa o croce", that in translation is "the Head or Cross". On a backspacing of German coins the coin value was engraved and it is easy to guess, that game has received the name "the Head or number" ("Korf oder Zahl"). The Brazilian twin of the game according to images on the coins is called "the Head or a crown" ("Cara ou Coroa") - on a backspacing the crown, and on obverse the governor person is represented. Ireland has presented to the inhabitants the game named "Heads or Harps", on a backspacing of national coins, as well as on the reverse of modern euro, the harp is represented. Inhabitants of Mexico play the "Aquila o Sol" ("the Eagle and the sun"). Game "the Head and word" which is well-known in Hong Kong has especially caused a stir. On a face party of Hong Kong coin there is a verbal designation of its value, and the flower on the back is represented. Despite it in the name of the party the word "head" is traditionally used.
