Dead Soft
Dead Soft. Annealed until the metal piece is as soft as possible, specifically less than 10 Rockwell hardness. Engraving is done in diestock that is dead soft, dies are machined or hubbed in dead soft state, also a die may be returned to this state to be retouched or re-engraved; it is then tempered to return it to proper hardness for striking. See heat treating.
excerpted with permission from
An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology
For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON
Roger W. Burdette, Editor