Fractional precious metal currency system and method

A discrete physical article whose value is materially attributable to a declared quantity of precious or semi-precious metal physically present in the discrete physical article, comprising:

• a substrate;
• and
• a filamentary element comprising metal retained relative to the substrate;
• wherein the filamentary element is positioned along a defined path on or within the substrate such that the discrete physical article includes a targeted metal quantity physically present within the discrete physical article and retained relative to the substrate, the targeted metal quantity being within a defined tolerance.

A method of manufacturing discrete physical articles whose value is materially attributable to a declared quantity of precious or semi-precious metal physically present in each article, comprising:

• providing a substrate;
• positioning, by a programmable motion system, a filamentary element comprising precious or semi-precious metal along a defined path relative to the substrate;
• retaining the filamentary element relative to the substrate;
• and
• controlling an amount of the filamentary element associated with a discrete article region by controlling filament length and termination such that a targeted precious-metal quantity within a defined tolerance is achieved.

A manufacturing system for producing discrete physical articles whose value is materially attributable to a declared quantity of precious or semi-precious metal physically present in each discrete physical article of the discrete physical articles, comprising:

• a programmable motion platform;
• an affixing head comprising a filament feed mechanism and a retention subsystem;
• and
• a controller configured to coordinate motion, filament placement, and retention such that each discrete physical article includes a targeted precious-metal quantity physically present within each of the discrete physical articles and retained relative to a substrate, the targeted precious-metal quantity being within a defined tolerance.

A method of manufacturing a discrete physical article whose value is materially attributable to a declared quantity of precious or semi-precious metal physically present in the discrete physical article, comprising:

• dispensing a UV-curable resin relative to a substrate;
• positioning a filamentary element comprising precious or semi-precious metal into contact with the UV-curable resin;
• and
• curing the UV-curable resin to retain the filamentary element relative to the substrate,
• wherein the UV-curable resin secures the filamentary element such that a targeted precious-metal quantity is physically present within a defined tolerance.

A method of manufacturing a discrete physical article whose value is materially attributable to a declared quantity of precious or semi-precious metal physically present in the discrete physical article, comprising:

• positioning a filamentary element comprising precious or semi-precious metal along a defined path relative to a substrate;
• and
• performing ultrasonic embedding including applying ultrasonic energy to embed at least a portion of the filamentary element into the substrate or a material layer associated with the substrate,
• wherein the ultrasonic embedding secures the filamentary element such that a targeted precious-metal quantity is physically present within a defined tolerance.