Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
How were dies made
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="Ryan McVay, post: 7402669, member: 117904"]Having done lapidary and silver smithing work as a kid (i'm talking 8-15 yrs old)- and being pretty good at it too- it really would be interesting to see someone attempt to make some of these dies today using technology from those periods. Honestly, I think we have lost a lot technological methods over time! For example look at the details you get in the tiny Greek fractions or even small bronze dies- it's amazing. Then look at the royal portraits and do overlays from mint to mint. The portraits are so amazingly close. The difference you find will be in the fields and legends. </p><p>I fall in line with the "matrix" process. If they were working with iron then maybe they were using creating base molds, filling the molds and then the portrait was an insert into the die. That could provide for the repeatablity of the portraits. You would need to do some final finishing and polishing and then then do the regional legends and borders into the rest of the die. I honestly, can't believe that someone is actaully making the engravings in reverse into iron to make bronze coins. You would have to use bronze for bronze coins.</p><p>Oh, and while bronze is a hard material (yes harder than cast iron) it is also very brittle. I had the lapidary tools at my grandparents house across the yard. Then we had dad's weld shop in the garage. He was a Master Welder (Nuke plants and military work) and he was also a metal sculptor. His stuff was mainly plate steel and large park scultures. Be he also did a lot of work with artist in bronze, brass and other materials. He hated bronze. It could be hard for the first millimeter or so and then go really soft after that. So, if you are trying to engrave it..well you have to get past that harness layer and if you did it usually flaked and broke off..things like that make it difficult material to work with.</p><p>Some people talk about annealing and tempering..but those process require serious, serious heating that is controlled.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Ryan McVay, post: 7402669, member: 117904"]Having done lapidary and silver smithing work as a kid (i'm talking 8-15 yrs old)- and being pretty good at it too- it really would be interesting to see someone attempt to make some of these dies today using technology from those periods. Honestly, I think we have lost a lot technological methods over time! For example look at the details you get in the tiny Greek fractions or even small bronze dies- it's amazing. Then look at the royal portraits and do overlays from mint to mint. The portraits are so amazingly close. The difference you find will be in the fields and legends. I fall in line with the "matrix" process. If they were working with iron then maybe they were using creating base molds, filling the molds and then the portrait was an insert into the die. That could provide for the repeatablity of the portraits. You would need to do some final finishing and polishing and then then do the regional legends and borders into the rest of the die. I honestly, can't believe that someone is actaully making the engravings in reverse into iron to make bronze coins. You would have to use bronze for bronze coins. Oh, and while bronze is a hard material (yes harder than cast iron) it is also very brittle. I had the lapidary tools at my grandparents house across the yard. Then we had dad's weld shop in the garage. He was a Master Welder (Nuke plants and military work) and he was also a metal sculptor. His stuff was mainly plate steel and large park scultures. Be he also did a lot of work with artist in bronze, brass and other materials. He hated bronze. It could be hard for the first millimeter or so and then go really soft after that. So, if you are trying to engrave it..well you have to get past that harness layer and if you did it usually flaked and broke off..things like that make it difficult material to work with. Some people talk about annealing and tempering..but those process require serious, serious heating that is controlled.[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
How were dies made
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...