Incuse square

[Philhellene]

It's a numismatic question. I can't understand what does the term "incuse square" mean. It's often used in ancient Roman and Greek coin descriptions.

[Publius Nonius Severus]

It means a cut or stamped in square. See this page for an example (scroll down to the Greek section or search for "incuse" in the page:

 

Doug Smith's Describing Ancient Coins Page

[The Augusta]

It's a numismatic question. I can't understand what does the term "incuse square" mean. It's often used in ancient Roman and Greek coin descriptions.

 

I'm no expert, Phil - but I think it means a 'stamp' - i.e. the image is stamped into the coin. Others who have more expertise in this field may offer better explanations, however.

 

See this image

 

Edited to add: Ah - I see Publius has already got in before me. We must have posted at a similar time.

Edited April 17, 2007 by The Augusta

[Primus Pilus]

It's a numismatic question. I can't understand what does the term "incuse square" mean. It's often used in ancient Roman and Greek coin descriptions.

 

An incuse is an inverted (or indented) stamp. By contrast an image on a coin that's raised above the surface of the coin is called a relief. I believe the square term originates when the stamp in question was smaller than the overall surface of the coin. It leaves the appearance of an indented image of whatever was on the stamp enclosed within a square. The second coin in the image is an example.

 

 

Link to Doug Smith's original source

[Primus Pilus]

Well you both beat me to it, but at least we are in agreement.

[Philhellene]

Thanks.