Evolution of coin striking processes: A mechanical survey. I. Hammer striking

Abstract In a previous paper, the computation of the energy necessary to form a coin has been presented. In the present paper, it is applied to hammer striking. First, problems pertaining to monetary alloys (testing, evaluation of yield stress) are briefly reviewed, along with blank forming techniques. Then, ancient coins (incuse archaic Greek coins, Vespasian tetradrachma, Ptolemy II's decadrachma) are taken as examples of coins of increasing size. In each case, the energy necessary to strike the coin is compared with the energy available from the hammer blow, which has previously been estimated. This method may suggest if striking at high temperature may have been necessary. Finally, some ways of decreasing the energy of striking are analyzed; some of their applications in ancient minting are given.