Another question from me

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by DarkRage666, Dec 7, 2020.

  1. DarkRage666

    DarkRage666 Ͳìɾҽժղҽʂʂ Ͳąҟҽղ ටѵҽɾ

    Why do some coins have ridges on the sides while others are smooth?
     
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  3. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

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  4. DarkRage666

    DarkRage666 Ͳìɾҽժղҽʂʂ Ͳąҟҽղ ටѵҽɾ

  5. KSorbo

    KSorbo Well-Known Member

    The ridges (edge reeding) don’t serve any functional purpose anymore. It wouldn’t make sense to clip or file metal from a clad quarter or dime. The history behind it is very interesting though. If you want to get into the weeds, it’s worth googling the topic of coin clipping in England. This was something that was legally punishable by death or imprisonment, but was done by lots of people anyway.
     
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  6. DarkRage666

    DarkRage666 Ͳìɾҽժղҽʂʂ Ͳąҟҽղ ටѵҽɾ

    I mean, murder is punishable by death or imprisonment but people still do THAT
     
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  7. DarkRage666

    DarkRage666 Ͳìɾҽժղҽʂʂ Ͳąҟҽղ ටѵҽɾ

    I guess whatever pleases the person they don't care about the ramifications
     
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  8. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    As a metal detectorists ,I've seen many clipped or shaved Colonial coins dug .
     
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  9. DarkRage666

    DarkRage666 Ͳìɾҽժղҽʂʂ Ͳąҟҽղ ටѵҽɾ

    That's actually pretty cool
     
  10. KSorbo

    KSorbo Well-Known Member

    Clipping was done frequently enough to seriously affect the integrity of the country’s currency. Hopefully murder isn’t being done that frequently, although it’s certainly more frequent than any of us would like. There have even been hoards discovered of coin clippings versus the coins themselves.
     
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  11. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    I once saw my friend dig Half of a Large Cent , cut perfectly straight .
     
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  12. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    Does anyone have a shaved coin ?
     
  13. Oldhoopster

    Oldhoopster Member of the ANA since 1982

    I believe the concern was people clipping silver and gold coins, hence the need for a reeded/decorated edge. I don't think this was an issue with copper (although the colonial experts can correct me if I'm wrong).
     
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  14. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    There was also a practice called sweating. It's a bit hard to see how that was prosecuted -- "Yes, I kept my coins in a bag. What else would I keep them in? Yes, it got bounced around as I traveled, as does anything a horse carries. And, yes, I saved the gold dust I found in the bag afterward -- what should I do, throw it away?"
     
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