User:RHM22/Style guide

This is a style guide to assist in the writing of article within the subject of numismatics. This guide is a user page, and is meant only as an aid in the crafting on numismatic articles. It reflects the personal opinions of the author(s), and is no way supported or endorsed by Wikipedia policy. Guidelines are given here, though these are not rules and should not be taken as such. It is advised that the Manual of Style (MOS) be followed at all times.

General
Wikipedia is a general access website that appeals to a broad cross section of the public worldwide. For this reason, it is suggested that numismatic articles not rely heavily upon hobby terminology that may be unfamiliar to most readers. It is perfectly acceptable to use technical wording in articles, but it is helpful to 'wikilink' the term. If there is currently no article on the subject of said term, you may wish to give the definition within parentheses. Editors should also note that Wikipedia is not a how-to guide. While it is possible that some readers may be interested in the value of coins, how to collect them or how to detect counterfeits, but that is not the purpose of Wikipedia.

Verifiability
Verifiability is one of the core principles of Wikipedia, and numismatic articles are no exception. Even though it may be obvious to you that 'coin X' was first minted in 'year Y', it might not be obvious to others. Where appropriate, inline citations should be used. It is not necessary to cite well–known facts (such as "a penny is worth one cent"), but other, potentially obscure facts, names or dates should always be cited. Inline citations are also not required in the lead section of an article, as long as the material is cited elsewhere in the article.

Reliable sources
One very important question that you should ask yourself before adding an inline citation is this: is my source reliable? When it comes to numismatics, there is a wealth of information online, but editors must determine what is reliable and what is not. Source that usually prove reliable include (but are not limited to) volumes published by well–known authorities on the subject of which you're writing, certain hobby publications and the websites of certain third–party organizations. Sources that are usually not reliable include wikis (including Wikipedia itself), personal collecting blogs and for–profit websites; though websites that sell products sometimes offer reliable information, they often serve the purpose of promoting a product or service, which may give them a point of view towards the product or service in question.