Definition

• Anepigraphic.  Without inscription or legend; void of any lettering; mute. Anepigraphic pieces have designs but no lettering and are opposite of typographic (all lettering and no design) and these terms may be applied to one or both sides of a major class of anepigraphic medals, however, they do present a challenge to their designers who must convey the entire concept pictorially without caption or legend. Two issues of The Society of Medallists, for example, are entirely anepigraphic:  Issues number 77 and 85.
  Anepigraphic items present a challenge in cataloging. Identification must be done by the pictorial elements alone, by iconography. This is particularly troublesome if the item bears a portrait. Is it generic? Is it someone specific even if not identified? (This gives rise to such descriptions as "portrait of a man in a hat.") The texture, fabric – the workmanship – may give a hint, but the cataloger must have wide numismatic experience to successfully identify anepigraphic items. The French term type muet means both lettering and a portrait are lacking on the numismatic item; making identification even more difficult.

  excerpted with permission from

  An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology

  For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators

  COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON

  Roger W. Burdette, Editor

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