CUTTING, in coinage. When the laminæ or plates of the metal, be it gold, silver, or copper, are brought to the thickness of the species to be coined, pieces are cut out, of the thickness, and nearly of the weight, of the intended coin; which are now called planchets, till the king's image hath been stamped on them. The instrument wherewith they cut, consists of two pieces of steel, very sharp, and placed over one another; the lower a little hollow, representing a mortar, the other a pestle. The metal put between the two, is cut out in the manner described under COINAGE.
Note. Medallions, where the relievo is to be great, are not cut, but cast or moulded.