NNP

Diaper.  A design of repeated elements, usually fitting within one another to form a consistent pattern that occupies the entire flan of a struck numismatic piece. As a medallic design it is monotonous and generally lacks any relationship to the opposite side of the struck piece. The practical use of a diaper die is to replace a blank die or jack die during proving, where it indicates a design is intended to appear on that side but perhaps is not yet ready. As such a diaper design indicates the piece is a die trial. The term derives from the name of a cloth with such a textured pattern first made during the Renaissance.

Reference:                                                                                                                               

S5 {1974} Stafford and Ware, 73.

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