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Lead Proof

Lead Proof.  A trial impression of a die struck in soft lead to examine the state of the die, or of the design. Also called lead impression or lead cliché. Dies are mostly tested alone – one side at a time – in a press of low pressure using a slightly oversize disk of lead. If two dies are used, they must be setup in a press without a collar, a die trial is taken and the oversize disk forms a flange (flash) that is highly indicative of its status as a lead trial.

Virgin versus reused lead.  The lead used for proving may be used over and over again. Virgin lead is employed only if the lead is to be a permanent record of the first state of the die before any striking or wear occurs, otherwise former lead proofs can be turned over and an impression taken on the flat backside (the old design becomes mashed flat – but can be seen folded into the flat surface; if a third die trial is taken on the same piece of lead, the under design will be seen mashed under the new relief side). Thus old lead proofs are melted to form new disks for future proving.

Lead proofs differ from splashers or hot tin impressions – other methods of proving a die – in that they are struck at room temperature. For splashers or hot tin impressions the metal is heated until slightly molten, then the die pressed into this for a suitable impression. A lead proof struck at room temperature gives a somewhat sharper impression than the molten lead impression.

See PROVING.

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


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