Glossary of Coin Terms

The following is a brief glossary of commonly used industry terms.

.999 Fine - Pure precious metal (24 karat in case of gold)
2-Dimensional - Artwork is engraved without contouring
3-Dimensional - Artwork is sculpted in contoured multi-level relief
Coin - A piece of metal authorized by government to be used as money
Die - Engraved steel block used to stamp the medallion
Finished Art - Design used as guide for die engraving
Hallmarking - Weight, purity or other information pressed into medallions
Heat Treat - Process of hardening steel die after engraving
High Relief - figures that project out from a solid material
Medallion - Medal commemorating a person, place or event
Numbering - Optional serial numbering
Obverse - Front side of the medallion
Pattern - Master mold from which design is engraved
Reverse - Back side of the medallion
Rough Art - Initial concept sketches
Scale - referes to the handles on either side of a lock-back knife.
Sculpture - Clay or wax relief sculpture from which a master pattern is made
Select Plating - Highlighting defined areas of the medallion with 24K gold plating
Troy Ounce - Unit of measure in which precious metals are sold (31.1 grams)

Firehouse Coins is a part of Northwest Territorial Mint, one of the Country’s largest and most respected minters of fine custom coins and medallions.