Präge

Präge is a German term connected with stamping, imprinting and minting. In everyday language it is the stem of the verb prägen, meaning to stamp, imprint or mint. The noun form most commonly used for the act or result is Prägung, but Präge appears in a wide range of compound terms such as Prägeprozess (minting process), Prägewerk (minting works) and Prägewerkzeug (engraving die or stamp tool).

In numismatics, Präge refers to the act of coin production and the associated processes. The design is engraved on a die (Prägewerkzeug) and then applied to metal blankes using a Prägepresse or hammer in traditional methods. The outcome, the minted coin or medallion, is called a Prägung. The quality, detail and consistency of Prägungen are central concerns in coin collecting and the study of monetary history.

Beyond coinage, Präge also describes embossing or imprinting in other materials, such as metal, leather or paper. Tools and machinery for these tasks are described as Prägewerkzeuge or Prägepressen, and the general action is referred to as Prägung.

Etymologically, Präge derives from the verb prägen, itself of Germanic origin, used across contexts to denote pressing, stamping or stamping into shape. In historical and technical writing, the term occurs primarily in compound forms, with Prägung remaining the standard noun for the result, while Präge- forms appear in descriptions of processes, tools and facilities.