numismatics Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects. Specialists, known as numismatists, are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, but the discipline also inclu ...

, a matrix is an intermediate

mould A mold () or mould () is one of the structures that certain fungi can form. The dust-like, colored appearance of molds is due to the formation of spores containing fungal secondary metabolites. The spores are the dispersal units of the fungi ...

used in the process of manufacturing

coin A coin is a small object, usually round and flat, used primarily as a medium of exchange or legal tender. They are standardized in weight, and produced in large quantities at a mint in order to facilitate trade. They are most often issued by ...

s. The use of a matrix lengthens the production of dies, but makes for a gain in consistency.

Terminology

The matrix is an "original die": indeed it has its design in the same sense as a die. The design is incised into the matrix, which is used to create punches. The creation of a matrix addresses the basic problem for the coinage of multiplying dies, i.e. having enough accurate copies of dies to produce long runs of essentially identical coins. The creation of a master punch from a matrix is called "hobbing". In contrast, a patrix is a type of master punch with a design in relief, used to create dies.

References

Numismatic terminology Currency production {{Coin-stub