VOCABULARY TERMS: BASE METAL, BASE MEDAL

Base Metal An alloy or metal usually of low value to which plating is applied; or the chief constituent of an alloy, not a precious or noble metal. Base metals include copper, iron, lead, tin, zinc, and other, or their alloys: bronze, brass and white metals. For plated objects these compositions are used because of their lower cost, yet the outer coating can be a desired metal (gold, silver, copper, nickel or such) and exhibit all the qualities of color, sheen and surface appearance. For plated items the base metal is also called the under composition and in metalworking it is called substrate. Some trial pieces are struck in base metals; medals intended to be struck in precious metals are sometimes proved in base metals. (All the metals mentioned above have entries in this encyclopedia, also see chart, bronze.)

Base Medal A fully struck up medal upon which another process is yet to be performed, as a medal upon which a jewel, inlay, insert or appliqué is to be applied; the principal component of a fabricated medal. A base medal differs from a raw medal (which is completely struck up and ready for processing in the finishing department) in that the base medal is often – but not always – already oxidized and buffed before the additional process are performed.

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

Or if you would like a printed copy of the complete Encyclopedia, it is available. There are 1,854 terms, on 678 pages, in The Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology. Even running two a week would require more than 19 years to publish them all. If you would like an advance draft of this vital reference work it may be obtained from the author for your check of $50 sent postpaid. Dick Johnson, 139 Thompson Drive, Torrington, CT 06790.

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