English Hammered Coins

About

Hammered coins were produced by placing a blank piece of metal (a planchet or flan ) of the correct weight between two dies and then striking the upper die with a hammer to produce the required image on both sides. The planchet was usually cast from a mold. The bottom die (sometimes called the anvil die ) was usually counter-sunk in a log or other sturdy surface and was called a pile . One of the minters held th