The E-Sylum:  Volume 4, Number 9, February 25, 2001, Article 5

ANNULAR VS. ANNULET 

   Dick Johnson. writes: "The criteria for a good numismatic 
   term is that it has a specific meaning and cannot be confused 
   with anything else. "Annular" fits this criteria and its use can be 
   encouraged in numismatic literature. It should not, however, 
   be confused with "annulet," which means "a raised circular 
   line or ring" in numismatics. 

   In medallic art annulet can be found in several uses. In fabricating 
   certain medallic items--badges are a good example--a stock 
   badge can be customized by applying a newly created center 
   emblem. The stock item contains an annulet -- raised round 
   circular line in the die and the struck piece--where the circular 
   emblem is to be affixed. 

   The same term holds true for the feet applied to the back of 
   a medallic paperweight.  Annulets will be placed in the reverse 
   die (usually at the four corners), and the separate feet -- 
   usually half balls -- are applied within these small raised circles. 
   The annulets serve as an attractive frame for the applied item. 

   A special kind of annulet, called a "limiting guide" is engraved 
   in the die where a hole is to be drilled in the struck piece. The 
   U.S. Mint did this for some early Indian Peace Medals. 
   Examples: James Madison (Julian IP-5) and John Tyler (IP-21). 
   The tiny raised circles, at the 12 o'clock position inside the rim, 
   served as the focus for the drill bit.  The existence of a limiting 
   guide meant the struck piece was intended to be holed. 

   For coins, there are annulet mintmarks (small circular rings). 
   Example: England's annulet coinage of Henry VI." 

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization 
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor 
at this address: whomren@coinlibrary.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum