We are fortunate editor Wayne Homren in last week's issue included illustrations and descriptions of five gold coins from a recent Stacks-Bowers auction. These rare coins were called "Regulated" -- a rare occurrence in early American Colonial times. Not all numismatists might know this term; it is an accurate term for an obscure practice.

I faced a decision with many obscure terms. Should they be included in my Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology? Absolutely! Such terms are just what many readers would look for in an encyclopedia. Here is my entry on regulated gold:

Words in SMALL CAPS refer to entries in the Encyclopedia, as the case here referring to another obscure term SHROFF (enteries on counterstamp and punch are quite lengthy):

Another term for full value of a coin determined by its weight at the time of a transaction is AGIO.

Occasionally references are made to other books listed in the Bibliography for further information, as is the case here in reference to Albert Frey's Dictionary of Numismatic Names.

These terms are all concerned with coins when they had value, made of precious metals. This in contrast to today's token coins, all of low-value alloys. Imagine having to weigh your coins at every transaction today! Thankfully weighing coins is no longer necessary, as are COIN SCALES - but that's another entry!

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
REGULATED GOLD: STACKS'S BOWERS MAY 25, 2016 SALE (www.coinbooks.org/E-Sylum_v19n21a24.html)