NNP

Background Texture.  The characteristic pattern of the metallic surface in the field of a medallic or numismatic piece. Often the background offers the designer the greatest open area, thus the artist can add interest to the piece by giving it a texture, to add emphasis to the device, and/or provide contrast if the device has only smooth surfaces. A wide variety of background designs have been employed in medallic art. Only rarely do coins have a background texture, so often are they required, especially in modern times, to have a smooth field reserved for a polishing in the die for a proof surface.  See texture. 

excerpted with permission from

An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology

For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON

Roger W. Burdette, Editor