Coigning

/ˈkɔɪnɪŋ/ verb

Definition

The act of making coins or stamping metal to create money.

Etymology

From Middle English 'coinen,' derived from Old French 'coiner,' which came from Latin 'cuneus' meaning 'wedge.' The wedge-shaped stamp was used to press designs into metal to form coins.

Kelly Says

Medieval mints used actual hammered wedges to stamp coins—it was incredibly inefficient and dangerous work. The similarity between 'wedge' and 'coining' reminds us that money-making was literally about physical compression and force.

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