When does a coin become a fragment?

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by David Woodhouse, Aug 27, 2025 at 3:44 AM.

  1. David Woodhouse

    David Woodhouse Active Member

    Following on from my previous post about cut coins and fragments, at what point would you consider that a coin has become a fragment. I have attached 2 examples of damaged coins, the first of which (Henry 1st type 15) has edge damage and the second (Henry 1st type 10) which is missing about a quarter of its content. I would consider the first a coin and the second a fragment. Do you agree? DSC01044 (600 x 450).jpg DSC01045 (600 x 450).jpg DSC01049 (600 x 450).jpg DSC01050 (600 x 450).jpg
     
    Mr. Numismatist likes this.
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  3. mikebell

    mikebell Well-Known Member

    You have broadly speaking nailed it. If the loss extends beyond the inner circle its a fragment, if not its a chip.
     
    Mr. Numismatist likes this.
  4. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Not really, I'd phrase it differently. I would say they are both coins with fragments missing.

    I suppose the question becomes - how much of the coin (a percentage) has to be missing before you consider it a fragment ? For me, I'd put that percentage at 50%.

    Of course, as seen here, others are going to think differently. And that brings up a subject I've often discussed - definitions. Just about everybody has their own personal definitions for a very large percentage of every word there is. Fragment, chip, bit, fractional, all of these words and a great many more are used to describe coins, granted only parts of coins but sometimes entire coins that are parts of a larger whole.

    When we use words people tend to visualize things as to what those words mean to them. But quite often, what they are visualizing and what you are actually talking about are very different things. Not always of course, but it sure happens a lot.
     
  5. PaddyB

    PaddyB Eccentric enthusiast

    Instinctively I wanted to say less than 50% would be a fragment, but the relevant dictionary definition is "an isolated or incomplete part".
    I have 3 coins missing parts in my own collection. The Harold I is a cut half, definitely a fragment I think. The other two are William I and William II. Both are substantially present, but were described as fragments by the auction house, a well known and reputed coin selling house.
    Harold I D N802 1-side.JPG William I Penny S1251 1-side.JPG William II D S1259 1-side.JPG
     
  6. David Woodhouse

    David Woodhouse Active Member

    Good point GDJSMP. I'm surprised there isn't already a standard set of definitions such that everyone's talking the same language to improve clarity and understanding.
     
  7. David Woodhouse

    David Woodhouse Active Member

    PaddyB, I slightly disagree with you description of the Harold in that it was intentionally cut in half then sustained some edge damage. I would still consider that a coin. The second coin has significant edge damage but still retains much of its key detail so I would consider that a borderline case and similarly the third coin. Lovely coins by the way with good detail.
     
    PaddyB likes this.
  8. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    To me both are coins. The missing pieces are the fragments.
     
  9. David Woodhouse

    David Woodhouse Active Member

    This is more like what I think is a fragment. The centre portion of a Cnut pointed helmet type where the whole of the outer has gone. DSC01040 (600 x 450).jpg DSC01041 (600 x 450).jpg
     
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