Definition

• Hinged Die.  A matched pair of dies, each made with an arm and fastened together to be able to be opened, a blank inserted, closed, then hammered until a coin is formed.
  Hinged dies first appeared about 550 AD, the concept was good except for the need to replace the top die, since it took the brunt of the wear from the constant hammer blows. It was further developed to extend the arms like a pair of tongs. Hinged dies did not prove practical for extended coinage and was only in use for a short time.

  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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