Definition

• Klippe.  Struck on a square, rectangular or lozenge shaped planchet. Some early siege or emergency coins were struck on such blanks because of lack of time or blanking facilities or equipment to produce circular blanks. Klippe coins were usually struck on such blanks with dies intended for round blanks; they appeared in Germany and the Low countries in the 16th century. Junge states some klippe coins were even struck at the same time as normal round coins, perhaps additional evidence of using any available blanks. Later the shape of special specimen sets prepared by a mint with coin designs for presentation purposes, much like piedforts, and not intended to circulate. Doty states the word comes from the Swedish word, klippa, to clip or cut with shears. By extension from coins, any medal struck on a square, rectangular or lozenge shaped planchet.
  References:                                                                                                                                 
  NE42 {1982} Doty, p 185. 
  NE43 {1984} Junge, p 145.

  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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