Coins

1. Design and Artwork
- Concept Development: Collaborate with artists and historians to create a design reflecting the commemorative theme (e.g., historical figures, anniversaries, cultural icons).
- Digital Modeling: Convert hand-drawn or digital artwork into a 3D vector file for precision.
- Plaster/Clay Master: A physical model is sculpted or 3D-printed to visualize depth and texture.
2. Die Creation
- Master Die: The design is transferred to a steel master die using a reducing lathe or CNC machine to carve the inverse image.
- Working Dies: Heat-treated steel replicas of the master die are produced for mass striking.
- Special Finishes: Proof coins use polished dies for mirror-like fields (backgrounds) and frosted reliefs (design elements).
3. Blank Preparation
- Metal Selection:
  - Precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) or base metals (copper-nickel, brass).
  - Eco-friendly options: Recycled metals or sustainable alloys.
- Blank Striking: Metal sheets are punched into discs (blanks).
- Annealing & Polishing: Blanks are heated (annealed) to soften, then polished to remove imperfections.
4. Minting Process
- Striking: Blanks are placed between dies in a coining press. Hydraulic pressure (up to 2,000 tons) imprints the design:
  - Single Strike: Standard coins.
  - Multiple Strikes: Proof coins for sharper details.
- Edge Treatment:
  - Reeded Edges: Created by a collar die during striking.
  - Edge Lettering: Engraved text or patterns using specialized machinery.
5. Finishing Techniques
- Proof Finish: Polished blanks + polished dies create mirror-like surfaces.
- Antique Finish: Chemical oxidation (e.g., liver of sulfur) for a vintage look.
- Color Application:
  - Enamel Inlay: Hand-filled colored enamel in recessed areas.
  - Pad Printing: Machine-applied color for detailed designs.
  - Gilding/Plating: Electroplating with gold or rhodium for accents.
- Lasering: Etching serial numbers or microtext for security.
6. Quality Control
- Visual Inspection: Magnification tools check for defects (scratches, misalignment).
- Weight/Dimension Checks: Ensure compliance with specifications.
- Authentication: Unique serial numbers or holograms for collectibility.
7. Packaging and Presentation
- Protective Casings: Acrylic capsules or velvet-lined boxes to prevent tarnishing.
- Certificates: Include COA (Certificate of Authenticity) with historical context.
- Themed Packaging: Custom boxes or booklets aligned with the commemorative theme.