Coin Relief. Very low relief which can be rendered into a die that can strike a piece with a single blow in a coining press. A form of bas-relief (French for low-relief), this would best be described as low, low-relief (Italian stiacciato). In addition to no tall projects of relief, coin relief has a narrow band of modulated relief. It is modeled close to the background with absolutely no undercuts, or bevel of less than 15°, on all lettering and design – the die must be able to strike and withdraw quickly with this relief. Thus the model must have these same restrictions as the coin die.

Coin relief models are prepared on a basin that is slightly dished. This aids in preparing a die with a modeled die camber where all the relief is below the rim. The theory is that this reduces wear on coins struck from such a die – the rim bears the brunt of the constant wear (at least such wear against flat surfaces). In modeling a coin model artists can check that the relief remains below the height of the rim by placing a straight edge, as a ruler placed across the diameter of the model. Coin relief is measured with a depth gauge. See relief.

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