Was labeling some coppers and noticed that this Sweden Carl XIV Johan 1820 1 Skilling has obliquely milled edges. For comparison, here's a much heavier 1802 Skilling issued under Gustav IV Adolph. The 1802 has diagonal rows of dots on the edge. Sweden had a serious economic crisis during the Napoleonic Wars. If we don't already have a thread for it, please feel free to post any diagonally-milled edge coins here.
People always forget the edge of the coin. I collect mostly world coins and I am amazed when I see a lettered, security, or other edges.
In Britain the milling was oblique on currency shillings and sixpences from 1669 until 1787. Larger values had a lettered edge, smaller ones were plain. A 1723 first bust SSC shilling with C over SS A 1741 sixpence with roses in angles.
The 1799 & 1806 Soho currency halfpennies and farthings had an oblique grain recessed in the middle to make a security edge as seen here. 1806 currency farthing
The corresponding Soho proofs had much shallower edge graining as seen below or alternatively a plain edge. e.g. An 1806 gilt proof halfpenny, Peck 1357.
Russian coins very often have obliquely milled edges, either diagonal or 'reticulated' (in a net pattern). Sweden and Russia share quite a bit of coin history, due to various military incursions, like the Swedish Occupation wire kopeks and the 5 kopeks from the Russian-Swedish War of 1788-1790, minted in Avesta. Diagonal: Alexander I, 5 kopeks, 1803, Ekaterinburg. 43.5mm, 51g (Bitkin 284). Reticulated: Anna Ivanovna, 5 kopeks, 1730, Moscow Kadashevsky. 31.82mm, 19.31g (Bitkin 251 var. Rand 5).
Found another one in my collection by accident! With coins stapled in 2x2s it's pretty much impossible to see the edge. Only if I look up a coin online or take it out to photograph would I ever notice the edge. Anyway, UK, 1745, 6 pence, "Lima" (from silver seized in raids on Spanish South America) Thanks @robp for pointing out the date range to look for on these.
Base metal British coins of the 18th century were typically plain edge, and not struck in a collar until the Soho issues. However, there is always an exception to the rule and that was in 1719 when a handful of obliquely grained halfpennies were made. 3 known of the 1st issue as far as I can establish and maybe two each of the 2nd issue for both obverses. Peck listed his own and the Rogers piece (P.782) for the first issue, but this was a third example unknown to Peck as it was in the US when he wrote his book. There is a note at the bottom of the Norweb part 2 catalogue lot 520 (Spink 1985) stating the other known example of this type has the provenance ex Caldecott, ex Dean Rogers, Brand-Lichtenfels Sale (Kreisberg/Schulman, New York 18/3/64 lot 2737) and SNC March 1965 (CC1324). However, the appearance of a rather worn example from Baldwin’s basement sale suggests that piece was the ex Roger’s example, being accompanied by a note stating 'a gift from C W Peck 1951 who noted there were only 2 examples known'. As Peck’s own piece passed to Norweb, this would therefore appear to be a third example, ex Brand-Lichtenfels etc, but not ex-Rogers, nor confirmed ex-Caldecott. It's also ex Terner and Stone collections.
Russia, Ruble, Ekaterina II, 1780 (diagonal reeding on edge) I have to check the weight on this one when I have it handy. I wasn't 100% confident of the authenticity, but it's awfully worn to be a fake. Date is mostly worn down, but the final 80 is clear, so it must be 1780.
