The Medallions are raised patterns, or line-engravings, generally representing a head, or some raised fancy patterns in genuine Bank Notes, which look as if raised up from the paper. They are called medallions because they are copied always from and represent the pattern upon a medal. It is done by the Pentograph Ruling Engine, which, guided by the medal, rules the whole pattern in _full length lines_, and the dies are _double_ transferred to the plate, which makes the lines _black_, the same in appearance as if the pattern was ruled directly upon the plate itself by the engine. This work is done upon the same principle in mechanics of “_guides_,” as shoe-lasts are turned by the “Last turning machine.” A model last is used for a guide to the machine, which turns out of a rough-hewn block of wood a last exactly like the model. Thus in genuine medallion ruling there is always a medal or coin used for a “_guide_.” The points in determining genuine medallions from imitations engraved by hand, are, the lines in the genuine all run in one general direction; they are always _full length lines_ across the whole pattern, the lines are all _exactly the same size_ or caliber, they _never cross each other_. Every undulation in the pattern on the guide or medal is copied with the most _unerring exactness_, and articulated _distinctly_ and beautifully correct, which is impossible to be done so perfectly by hand. In the counterfeit the lines are apt to _break off_ in the midst of the pattern; some lines are apt to be _coarser than others_, which gives it a scratchy appearance. In the genuine, the lines crowd together in the parts of the pattern that appear depressed or sunken, and spread apart more where the pattern appears raised and looks whiter, producing the lights and shades with the most magnificent ease and effect. In the counterfeit done by hand the lines do not crowd and spread apart again, according to the pattern, with such ease and effect, but the patterns appear stiff, flat, or imperfectly raised. There is always one of two ways or alternatives in which the hand-work imitations appear to fail. If they succeed in making the lines full length, as they ought to be, then the pattern will inevitably appear _flat_ in expression, imperfectly raised; but if they succeed in making the pattern look _raised_, as it ought to be, then there will inevitably be _broken_ or _forked lines_ all through the midst of the pattern. It seems impossible to combine in hand-work imitations of this extremely fine and complicated work full length lines, and at the same time a perfectly _finished_ and _raised_ pattern, which the Pentograph Ruling Engine always does in the highest perfection. [Illustration: I J _Magnified 5 to 10 times._ K _Magnified 10 to 15 times._]