seigniorage

noun

sei·​gnior·​age ˈsān-yə-rij 

variants or seignorage

: a government revenue from the manufacture of coins calculated as the difference between the face value and the metal value of the coins

Examples of seigniorage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Fed would essentially turn over to Treasury an amount of money that represents the present value of future seigniorage. —Norbert Michel, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023

Loyalty points are exposed to the modern form of seigniorage, as well as regular inflation. —Jon Sindreu, WSJ, 26 Mar. 2021

Indeed, there is likely a Laffer curve for seigniorage. —WSJ, 14 Jan. 2020

This right to earn seigniorage, as it is called, is worth a lot, even if their money-printing is constrained by the need to keep inflation in check. —The Economist, 29 Aug. 2019

All interest is diverted to the companies backing Libra’s governing body, while holders of Libra itself earn nothing—giving the founders profits akin to the seigniorage made by central banks. —James MacKintosh, WSJ, 23 June 2019

Shares, which fluctuate in value, entitle the owner to a share of the system's future seigniorage profits. —Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, 25 Apr. 2018

Another benefit, supporters say, is that the SNB would earn more seigniorage fees. —Brian Blackstone, WSJ, 3 May 2018

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English seigneurage, from Anglo-French seignurage right of the lord (especially to coin money), from seignur

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above