Machine Inscribing. Mechanical (or computer) controlled cutting of letters or design on existing medallic surface, often in a reserve or cartouche. While this is popularly called engraving, this form of inscribing gives uniformity to the lettering in contrast to hand inscribing – every individual character will look like the same character repeated a second or subsequent time. Machine inscribing is performed by “engraving machines” that are controlled from template letters (matrixes). The actual inscribing is derived from a rotating router in contrast to machine engraving that is a controlled milling machine (which can crate modulated relief). See flat engraving under machine engraving in previous entry.