VOCABULARY TERM: PARCEL-GILT

Parcel-gilt. Partly gilt; goldplated only on a part of a medallic item for the effect of a contrast of metals or their color. Parcel-gilt usually refers to objects that were originally firegilded – those that were only partially gilded in the first place, or were a part of this original gilding has worn off. Firegilding applied only a very thin layer of gold and this was susceptible to wearing away under many conditions (as being carried about or a container that abraded the piece). Parcel-gilt was applied to both base metal and precious metal items, often silver goldplate (vermeil); the contrast of silver sheen with a gold color, or both silver and gold on the same item was the effect their creator was trying to obtain.

 

In modern times an iron relic item was partially goldplated; the Deutschland Ballast Medal was struck in relic iron with an inner panel goldplated, leaving the wide rim the original iron color. This was described as parcel-gilt. However, by modern technology, such a process would be called stop-off. In contrast, two completely separate compositions in one medallic piece is called bimetallic.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Parcel-gilt (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516458)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
A RELIC MEDAL OF THE GERMAN SUBMARINE DEUTSCHLAND (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n26a14.html)

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