Die Cavity Pubblico Deposited
- Die Cavity. The vacant space in a die that is the design. The low point of the die cavity would be the high point on the item struck from that die. Creating this negative area is what is required in hand engraving by carving; for mechanically prepared dies the die cavity is what is cut away on the die-engraving pantograph. Or the die cavity can be created by pressing the master die into a die blank during hubbing. The die cavity contains the modulated relief of the design but in the negative, of course. Usually the die with the greatest cavity is placed in the lower (pile) position in the press when multiple striking is performed; this aids in positioning the medal by hand each time it is placed in the press to be struck. See dies and diemaking.
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