Slug Pubblico Deposited
- Slug. Originally a $50 gold coin in octagonal shape; thus any struck numismatic piece in heavy octagon planchet of approximate dollar size (1 1/2-inch). An octagon blank is easier to make than round planchets. It can be cut from a rolled sheet with shears rather than typical blanking dies. Thus provisional coinages often use a blank of this shape when round blanks are not readily available.In token parlance a slug, or slugging, has the meaning of a counterfeit token when used in a vending machine. Unsophisticated fare boxes or vending machines will accept round disks of metal or even washers of correct diameter in lieu of a genuine token. With advanced vending machine technology slugs were ejected if they did not pass eddy- current, surface resistivity or other tests.Reference: NE42 {1982} Doty, p 303.
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