Question

When metal coins, such as gold and silver, were used as money, a technique which helped to prevent the reduction of their value through clipping was

A) Basing.
B) Re-minting.
C) Milling.
D) Debasement.
E) Sweating.

Answer 1

Milling, which involves creating ridges on the edge of coins, was the technique used to prevent the reduction of the value of metal coins, like gold and silver, from clipping.

Step-by-step explanation:

When metal coins, such as gold and silver, were used as money, a technique which helped to prevent the reduction of their value through clipping was C) Milling. Milling refers to the practice of creating ridges on the edge of coins. These ridges made it evident if someone had clipped or shaved off a part of the coin, thereby preserving the coin's value. This was an important security feature to discourage the devaluation of coins in circulation.

During periods when coins made of precious metals like gold and silver were the main forms of currency, maintaining the integrity of the coinage was vital for economic stability. Techniques like milling were hence a crucial part of monetary policy to ensure that the public could trust the value of the coins they used daily.