Definition

• Sheffield Plate.  An early form of silver bonded to copper by fusion, then rolled to desired thickness. While the process was invented by Thomas Boulsover about 1743, it was generally replaced by electroplating about 1850. Electroplating did not require the rolling, as the object could be completely fabricated in base metal then silverplated. Rolled gold is similar to the process of Sheffield plate and is still made to this day, but the modern technology of clad metals has surpassed all early forms of bonding by fusion.

  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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