Holed coins - I learned something new

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by BostonCoins, Jan 17, 2021.

  1. BostonCoins

    BostonCoins Well-Known Member

    As a coin collector, we've all come across holed coins from the 'old days'. Often, many holed coins were seen from the 17th, 18th and 19th century. I remember being told at one time that coins were holed and worn around the neck like a necklace as our colonial ancestors traveled around.

    I was watching a recent documentary about something random, and it was stated that many colonists would actually sew their coins into their clothes. This way the coins were hidden in case they were robbed or examined by military officers at the time. Additionally, they would have money available in the case of an emergency as they traveled the lands.

    So now I've heard two different theories. Necklace type of usage, and sewed into clothes.

    Does anyone have any further knowledge of holed coins? Are either of these scenarios more likely? Or is there yet more reasons coins were holed that I haven't heard yet?
     
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  3. alurid

    alurid Well-Known Member

    I think both theories are true. I have heard of coins being nailed to ones door post as a luck token, and have seen older coins with square hole due to old square nails.
     
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  4. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    As a Metal Detectorist , I've read some articles that explain that some would sew them in their coats as well. I dream of finding a string of holed coins someday , :rolleyes:
     
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  5. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    Coins made a great washer when needed for a quick fix.

    Not sure this is true but I have read that in the early days of sailing ships, they would nail a coin to the bottom of the mast for good luck.
     
  6. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    Example A . 1818 holed Largie . Dug coin. IMG_20210117_085242922_HDR.jpg
     
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  7. Noah Finney

    Noah Finney Well-Known Member

  8. beaver96

    beaver96 Well-Known Member

    I had heard that coins were holed and strung because of the lack of pockets in clothes of the day.
     
  9. alurid

    alurid Well-Known Member

  10. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Coins have been and are still worn as jewelry and our forefathers are smarter than we give them credit for. Both are true.
     
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  11. Rich Buck

    Rich Buck Yukon Cornelius

     
  12. Rich Buck

    Rich Buck Yukon Cornelius

    Love tokens were popular in the early/mid 19th Century and many of those are holed as well. Seated Liberty Dimes
    were the most popular I believe.
     
    Tamaracian likes this.
  13. rrdenarius

    rrdenarius non omnibus dormio Supporter

    My favorite holed coin is an As -
    holed as V or anchor 1.jpg
    holed as V or anchor 2.jpg
     
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  14. PlanoSteve

    PlanoSteve Well-Known Member

    Reminds me of my fraternal grandmother! Back in the day, whenever someone in the family would get a new car, she would toss a new cent on the floor of the back seat, you know, for "good luck". :happy:

    No one dared to move it until they got rid of the car...you know, just in case. :D:p
     
  15. whopper64

    whopper64 Well-Known Member

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  16. Jeffjay

    Jeffjay Well-Known Member

    At one time the price of roofing washers went up to a penny and a half so people would use large cents and 1/2 cents to save money.
     
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  17. Rhody

    Rhody Member

    My late father-in-law (a retired Navy Captain) insisted on placing a coin under the main support column of the house I was building in the late 60's saying it was traditional in sailing shipbuilding.
    Probably the best holed coin to find would be the one Ahab nailed to the mast. Shipwreck effect?
    Romans had a pocket (sinus) in the folds of their togas.
     
  18. Publius2

    Publius2 Well-Known Member

    I have read that during the Civil War, when postage stamps were 3 Cents, families of soldiers going to war would hole 3 cent pieces and then sew them into their soldier's uniform clothing so they would have the means to buy a stamp and write home.
     
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  19. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    Here's a Cool one guys . When Carpenters and mason's were working on building a structure , they often would lay a coin or coins on the Corner of the building for a good days PAY ! True Story ! seeingdouble.jpg
     
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  20. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    I have an ancient Roman fallen horseman with a hole in it. When I was researching the deal I read one article that said often times these were nailed up on a doorframe to indicate political affiliation. I thought that was very interesting.
     
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  21. Heavymetal

    Heavymetal Well-Known Member

    I gave LordM some holed coins recently.
    He’s at it again.
    Hats off to him
     
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