NNP

Galvano Mold.  A pattern from which a galvano or electroform is made; it is usually of durable material – metal or plastic – but can be of plaster. Plaster is used when only a single galvano is required, as the plaster is often destroyed in the process; while plastic or metal molds can be used for a production run or a quantity of galvanos. Metal is used exclusively when the galvano needs to be permanently stored for possible use at some time in the future.

A galvano mold must be prepared before it is placed in the electrolytic tank: (1) the back of the mold must be coated with wax or other stop-off to prevent material from the anode from building up there (other areas on the model must be stopped-off as well – any area not to be on the final galvano); (2) the mold must be wired, it must conduct electrical current to an overhead bus bar to complete the circuit; (3) it must be coated with a release agent, in most instances pure copper powder. After immersion in the electrolytic tank for the allowed time in the solution, the mold and electrolytic cast piece is removed and broken apart.  See electroforming.

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