Glossary
.9999 Fine
Pure precious metal.
2-Dimensional
Artwork is engraved without contouring.
3-Dimensional
Artwork is sculpted in contoured multi-level relief.
Assay
To test the weight and metal purity of a coin, wafer or bar.
Blank
The blank metal disk that is eventually struck and turned into a coin.
Bullion
Coins, bars, ingots, plates and wafers made from precious metal .995 purity or finer. We choose to use .9999 gold
Coining
Process by which the image is struck onto blanks using a die engraved with a mirror image of the design.
Commodity
Raw materials that can be bought and sold.
Die
Engraved steel block used to stamp the image onto a blank, creating a medallion.
Hallmarking
Weight, purity or other information pressed into medallions.
High Relief
Figures that project out from a solid material.
Field
Flat part of the coin (the back round) on which the relief is struck.
Finish
The appearance or surface texture of the coins relief.
Obverse
The 'heads' or 'face' side of the coin.
Reeding
Grooved or serrated lines found around the edge of some coins.
Relief
The relief is the raised or three-dimensional image found on the coin's field.
Reverse
The 'tails' side of a coin.
Rim
The raised portion that runs along the perimeter of a coin.
Spot Price
The going price of Gold in the daily cash market.
Troy Ounce
Unit of measure in which precious metals are sold (31.1 grams).