Die Stamped, Die Struck. Striking a blank of metal with two punches (dies) under pressure and at room temperature. Die stamped or die struck is in contrast to any other metalworking methods of manufacture, as cast, hammered, rolled, forged, or even die-cast. Striking with dies is the traditional method of manufacturing coins and medals since the mid 16th century. Die striking is also called coining (and the piece is coined) when there are two relative flat surfaces with no deep drawing of the surface metal.

Die striking (coining) creates the sharp impression in hard metal suitable for

coins, medals, tokens and the similar items discussed in this book. Not all metals are suitable for the blanks for coining (see coinability), however only one metal is suitable for the manufacture of the dies required – they must be made of steel. As coinage technology evolved the method of applying the pressure, by coining presses, has changed. But the end product – coins to circulate – have changed little for centuries (other than design, of course). Although an attempt has been tried twice in history to manufacture coins by roller dies and blanking afterwards (taschenwerke), this process failed both times. In effect, no new basic method of manufacture has been invented to replace die stamping or die striking of preformed blanks. This method is a 400-year old successful technology that appears to continue well into the future.