face value

額面 ／ face-value　—　Measuring

The value written on the coin, laid down by the system.

Sangpyeong Tongbo (four denominations)From 1678 Bent-bar silver5th century BCE – 2nd century CE Aes grave (sextans)c. 269–266 BC

The face value and the value of the metal content (intrinsic value) are two different numbers. When these two begin to diverge, people hoard the better money and spend the worse money first.

If the face value is higher than the intrinsic value, the difference becomes the profit of the issuer. This is called seigniorage.