VOCABULARY TERMS: DIE CAVITY, HIGH POINT

Two related terms are discussed this week. Die cavity is a term used by die makers, it creates the high point, a term used by inspectors, collectors and numismatists.

Die Cavity. The vacant space in a die that is the design. The low point of the die cavity would be the HIGH POINT on the item struck from that die. Creating this negative area is what is required in HAND ENGRAVING by carving; for mechanically prepared dies the die cavity is what is cut away on the die-engraving PANTOGRAPH, or a milling machine for computer engraving. Or the die cavity can be created by pressing the master die into a die blank during HUBBING. The die cavity contains the MODULATED RELIEF of the design but in the negative, of course. Usually the die with the greatest cavity is placed in the lower (PILE) position in the press when MULTIPLE STRIKING is performed; this aids in positioning the medal by hand each time it is placed in the press to be struck. See DIES AND DIEMAKING.
CLASS 04.1

High Point. The point of highest relief on a numismatic or medallic item. The high point – often the nose on a portrait – is formed from the lowest point of the die cavity. Examining the high point in the press room during striking is necessary for both medals and coins; it is the critical point which determines whether a medal is fully struck up in multiple striking, or for a coin during SET UP. High points are examined in the finishing department for medals, which are oxidized and relieved. They are examined to insure the high point is not overly buffed.

High points are the first to wear and the most vulnerable to damage, thus they are an important factor of CONDITION. A collector or numismatist will check first an item’s high points to determine wear or condition. If high points are particularly worn they are sometimes designated CONTACT MARKS.

Also there are special high points – called SUPPORT POINTS. These are usually three in number, usually located on the reverse and sometimes hidden in the design purposely by the designer or modeller Support points, as expected, support the item as it rests on a flat surface, the intent is to prevents wear to the remainder of the design.
CLASS 03.4

Looking for the meaning of a numismatic word, or the description of a term?  Try the Newman Numismatic Portal's Numismatic Dictionary at: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionary

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