Numismatic definitions
Like most fields of expertise, numismatics has its own lingo. Find the numismatic definition of a term by entering it in the field below.
Off Metal
Term denoting a piece struck in a metal other than the officially authorised or issued alloy. This originally applied to patterns which were often struck in lead or copper instead of gold and silver as trial pieces or to test the dies; but in recent years it has applied to collectors' versions, eg, proofs in platinum, gold or silver of coins normally issued in bronze or cupro-nickel.
