THE COIN COLLECTOR - World eBook Library

TERMINOLOGY
Metropolis—The chief city among the Greeks, equi-
valent to the Roman civitas ; the seat of local govern-
ment, coinage, &c.
Milled—See Knurled.
Minimi—A term which, from want of a better one,
has been assigned to a class of bronze money of Roman
type, probably of the fourth or fifth century B.C., which
may have been of local or provincial origin, and is
of unusually small module. It is distinct from the
Gaulish or other Western imitations of third brass
coins, and must have been introduced as a convenient
medium in a region where the purchasing power of
currency was high.
Mining-pieces—Money struck from the gold, silver,
or copper ore worked in France, Germany, Russia, and
Sweden. There are also coins specially issued for the
pay of the miners.
Mint-mark—The symbol denoting the place of origin
of a coin, sometimes accompanied by the initials or
name of the engraver. The mint-mark is variously
found in the field, in the exergue, in the outer circle
over the portrait or other obverse type. It often
occurs below the truncation of the bust.
Mint-master—The official who superintended the
operations of a mint, and in some cases placed his
initials or monogram on pieces.
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