from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Seigniorage \Seign"ior*age\, n. [F. seigneuriage, OF.
seignorage.]
1. Something claimed or taken by virtue of sovereign
prerogative; specifically, a charge or toll deducted from
bullion brought to a mint to be coined; the difference
between the cost of a mass of bullion and the value as
money of the pieces coined from it.
[1913 Webster]
If government, however, throws the expense of
coinage, as is reasonable, upon the holders, by
making a charge to cover the expense (which is done
by giving back rather less in coin than has been
received in bullion, and is called "levying a
seigniorage"), the coin will rise to the extent of
the seigniorage above the value of the bullion. --J.
S. Mill.
[1913 Webster]
2. A share of the receipts of a business taken in payment for
the use of a right, as a copyright or a patent.
[1913 Webster]