Definition

• Transfer Lathe.  A machine for copying a coin or medal design while cutting a steel punch or die. This early pantograph was also called a portrait lathe for the bulk of the work which it was able to perform. It was not satisfactory in cutting the entire design including lettering and dentiles near the edge. Instead it was used primarily to cut a device punch. The lettering and border was added to a die by hand punching later, after this device punch was hubbed into the die first. See pantograph.

  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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