n. Something claimed by the sovereign or by a superior as a prerogative; specifically, an ancient royalty or prerogative of the crown, whereby it claimed a percentage upon bullion brought to the mint to be coined or to be exchanged for coin; the difference between the cost of a mass of bullion and the face-value of the pieces coined from it.n. A royalty; a share of profit; especially, the money received by an author from his publisher for copyright of his works.