Gehämmert

(en) A metallic planchet of the desired size and weight is prepared. This planchet is then placed on a fixed lower die (usually the obverse one), on which the moneyer manually affixes a mobile upper die (the reverse one) before striking with a hammer. Thus, each die, which contains an inverse version of the images to be struck on the coin, prints its mark simultaneously on the obverse and the reverse of the planchet.

This technique is attested in Asia Minor from the 7th century BC, and remained for 2000 years the main minting process in the West and in the Middle-East, until the generalization of mechanical presses in the 1640s.