Most coins in the world are minted w/each side upside-down relative to the other. Where did this start & why?

Question

The only part of the answer I know at present is that it's definitely tradition, not a technical or procedural requirement of any sort. So why do the U.S. & many other countries mint their coins in this manner? Is there more than one traditional reason for various parts of the globe?

Answer 1

I can't give you the Gospel answer, but from a coin collector's point of view, it's easier to turn a coin over top to bottom than side-to-side. Just my guess.