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

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Milling involved inscribing ridges onto the edges of coins to prevent clipping, which was a practice of filing off small amounts of the metal from the edges of the coins. This prevented the reduction of the value of the coins due to the loss of metal, which could then be used to make new coins or sold for profit. Sweating was a similar practice of shaking a bag of coins to collect dust and small particles of metal, which was also a form of debasement. Re-minting involved melting down old coins to make new ones, and basing involved reducing the amount of precious metal in the coins by mixing it with cheaper metals.

When Metal Coins, Such as Gold and Silver, Were Used