Pyx Chest (Noun)
Meaning
A chest in which coins from the mint are held to await assay.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The Royal Mint uses a pyx chest to store a sample of coins from each batch produced to await testing for weight and purity.
- Historically, a pyx chest was a strongbox with multiple locks used to safeguard the valuable contents awaiting assay.
- A new pyx chest was acquired by the mint to replace the old one, which had been in use for over a century.
- In order to verify the purity of the coins, the contents of the pyx chest were periodically sent to the assay office for testing.
- According to tradition, the Master of the Mint would personally oversee the sealing of the pyx chest and its transfer to the assay office.