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
This unique position generates substantial seigniorage profits—effectively subsidizing American imports, facilitating persistent trade deficits without immediate economic repercussions, and reinforcing U.S. geopolitical dominance.
—
Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Just to give you an idea, the previous government stole 28 points of GDP from Argentinians through seigniorage.
—Vera Bergengruen/buenos Aires, TIME, 23 May 2024
The reality is that seigniorage was lost long ago as a result of spontaneous dollarization.
—Emilio Ocampo, National Review, 18 Oct. 2023
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Just to give you an idea, the previous government stole 28 points of GDP from Argentinians through seigniorage.
—Vera Bergengruen/buenos Aires, TIME, 23 May 2024
The reality is that seigniorage was lost long ago as a result of spontaneous dollarization.
—Emilio Ocampo, National Review, 18 Oct. 2023
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
Cite this Entry
“Seigniorage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seigniorage. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share