"laser Engraving" Question, Not Coin Specific

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 729
Gilly Pillar of the Community United States 1217 Posts	Posted 08/23/2025 5:24 pm I'm hoping this question is ok being here. I think it does need it's own thread, the mods can decide though, I won't be offended if it gets moved to another thread or forum. I've been reading about the Laser engraved privy ASE coming out. It sounds like they've used it a couple times last year, one was the Draped Bust. I'm only really sure of a few things. One is that the laser privy is part of the whole die. Another is that nothing is put directly on the coin using a laser. The master die is made with laser. One question is I assume this is just done once, the working dies are made from the master die. The question which has proven to be the most difficult to find an answer to, is how the master engraving (from the master die) is transferred to the working die? They can get all this detail into the master die with the laser engraving, but how does that matter if they can't then get that level of detail on to the working die? And a follow up, if they can get this all transferred over to the working die, will the silver actually be able to fill in these fine little details in the working die? Report this Post to the Staff

Corbe Valued Member United States 292 Posts	Posted 08/23/2025 6:21 pm WAG. My assumption is that primarily laser is easier automation, for some portion of the steps. Report this Post to the Staff
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6464 Posts	Posted 08/23/2025 7:10 pm I thought the Mint cut the working hubs directly using CNC machines? Do master dies and master hubs even exist anymore? Report this Post to the Staff
Gilly Pillar of the Community United States 1217 Posts	Posted 08/23/2025 7:23 pm Quote: Do master dies and master hubs even exist anymore? The way the mint describes the process, yes master dies do exist, that's what is being laser engraved. Then they just describe the engraving gets transferred to the working dies. They/the Mint states that the engraving is then transferred to the working dies, which are hardened and used to make the coins. They say this used to be done through a process called hubbing. The "new way", since I think they said the 2000s or 2010s, has been with CNC. But is the end result really going to be better with laser engraving if the working dies are made the same way? Will the detail be any better? We shall see. I was hoping someone here understood the process better. I can try reading, the Mint night have info if I dig down deeper. Report this Post to the Staff
cptbilly Pillar of the Community United States 1962 Posts	Posted 08/23/2025 7:54 pm Good starting points for discussion, Gilly. The USM product page description for the Laser Engraved Eagle Proof with the Laser Symbol as its privy mark states: Quote: " This will be a first-of-its-kind opportunity to purchase a Silver Eagle with the latest technology (laser engraving) used to create master tooling. This coin includes a special laser-engraved privy mark." If laser engraved tooling is the future for all coins, I wondered what amount of the artist's / designer's work will be lost in the transition from the (digital) drawing board to the creation of the dies. I asked Grok "What USMint product dies have been laser engraved?" Here's the answer I received: Quote: The United States Mint has begun incorporating laser-engraved dies into its production process for select products, marking a technological advancement that allows for more intricate details and higher quality in coin and medal designs. This is a relatively new development, with the first confirmed use occurring in 2024. Below is a list of known U.S. Mint products that have utilized laser-engraved dies, based on official announcements and production details. Note that while laser engraving has been used for specific elements like serial numbers on dies for many years, the "full" or master die engraving for the primary design is what distinguishes these products. It listed 2024's 230th Anny Flowing Hair High Relief Gold Coin and the 2024 American Liberty [ & Britannia ] Silver Medal as "Confirmed Products with Laser-Engraved Dies." I'm a skeptic when it comes to claims of "more intricate details and higher quality" from the Mint. We'll see when the Laser Engraved ASE's hit our mailboxes. . . " Even a clock that's stopped is right twice a day. " Report this Post to the Staff
Gilly Pillar of the Community United States 1217 Posts	Posted 08/23/2025 8:26 pm Quote: Good starting points for discussion, Gilly. Thank you. To address those coins they've used laser engraving for, the Flowing Hair I bought the silver one (I think I'd continue purchasing if a silver version is created, for example the best of the mint series next year, I'd buy that, but not excited about the " "companion medal" they are offering. I may save my shekels and buy the 1oz gold). The Liberty/Britannia medal, I bought the RM version. So I'm out of luck, but should have the Laser Engraved on Monday. Still the main question is how it's transferred to the working die. Report this Post to the Staff
Gilly Pillar of the Community United States 1217 Posts	Posted 08/23/2025 11:19 pm The little time I had to look this evening came up with this video. My impression is the only difference is what they initially show, creating the master die with a CNC machine. That part is done with laser, after that they are pressing the laser engraved master dies to make working dies. The reading I did makes me think that the working dies are softer metal (which I'd guess are able to accept the fine details), which are then hardened. I may be missing a step or two, but generally, the finished coins may have better detail than we've been treated to lately. I've always thought the older issue ASEs, like back in the 80s, had greater detail than the newer ones. SkJUQWY0bFk Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 729

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Commemoratives and Non-Circulating Coinage (NCLT) Including Grading, Varieties, and Errors

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.33 seconds to rattle this change.

"Laser Engraving" Question, Not Coin Specific