A space on a coin, medal, or seal beneath the main design, often containing the artist's initials, a date, or an inscription.
From French exergue, from Greek exergos (outside the work), combining ex- (out) and ergon (work). The term entered English through numismatic (coin-related) technical vocabulary.
Collectors love exergues because they're like hidden signatures—engravers would sneak their initials or tiny symbols into that small space to mark their work, turning mundane coins into personal artifacts.
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