[Jewelry making - Article 00590] - Re: [Orchid] Ancient coin technology

[Rex and Gabrielle Merten]

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Dear Dr Buggey,

    I was very interested in your post to the Orchid group. I was also a
    little startled by your statement that "no one is sure how the dies
    were rendered, nor what types of tools were used". While the
    technological developments of the Industrial Revolution may have
    obscured the details of primitive die and mould making, many of the
    core techniques of those earlier Greek coin makers are being
    practised to this day by hand engravers and medallion die-sinkers.
    Examination of the original artefacts by a trained and experienced
    eye - such as any competent engraver or die-sinker possesses -
    reveals clues to technique and method of manufacture about which
    others may be ignorant. 

    In Australia I tutor master classes in hand engraving where the
    participants and I research and explore these techniques and
    reproduce them in real-world practice. Although I am not employed in
    academic research, I have been able to easily reproduce these items
    (to 'coin' your phrase) "completely by hand and without
    magnification". 

    From my own research and practical experimentation, I would suggest
    that many of these early coins were pressed from molten metal
    between two moulds. I have done this by melting metal to a molten
    "button" on top of one mould, then pressing the obverse mould down
    upon it. The top mould, being cold, rapidly cools the liquidus of the
    button of metal into the form against which it is pressed. This
    produces a simalacrum coin with the same characteristics of the
    original. 

    No rocket science required, just patience to make the moulds/dies in
    the first place, and I'm certain they had plenty of that. A
    metamorphic rock would do for both moulds, with perhaps a fine
    dusting of releasing agent such as fine clay or talc ground from
    readily available soapstone. Stone moulds were used long before the
    Greek era. 

    Our reliance and trust in modern technology may blind us to the
    simpler forms of genius exercised by our ancestors. I hope that your
    interest is rewarded by other experiences. It is a fascinating
    subject for both researcher and practitioner. 

    Kind regards, Rex Steele Merten 

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