I stumbled upon this message board at the perfect time! I recently got into an hour long argument with my grandfather over whether or not pennies have beveled edges. So as not to influence responses, I won't say which of us had which opinion. ;-) One of us, let's say "Jim," says the cross section of a penny along its diameter is intended to be perfectly rectangular and any deviation from that is an unintended effect due to handling. The other of us, let's say "Bob," says the cross section is produced to have slightly beveled instead of completely sharp edges. I realize this is a question way below the general level of discussion on this message board, so I really appreciate any responses from y'all. It would be awesome if someone could provide photographic evidence (I don't have a way of making the edge of a penny big enough for his ailing eyesight to see well) to back up the answer. Thanks!
Welcome to the neighborhood, Salty! I'm no expert on the coining procedure, but I would think that the beveled edge might be the result of the planchet being fed through the upsetting mill and not being fully struck in the coining chamber. Almost every circulated cent that I have seen has a slightly beveled edge. The only ones I've seen that even come close to having a fully squared edge are proof cents, but then you have to remember that they are struck twice to bring out the design to its fullest. Chris
All business strike coins have a rounded, and yes sometimes even beveled, edge right the edge of the rims, both top and bottom. As noted, only the Proofs have a squared edge.
The coin dies have a slight outer rim that protrudes above the rim grove and it assists the flowing metal to be contained in the collar and between the two dies. So, anything that is raised on the die will indent on the coin. It is minute, but still maintains a very slight bevel on the outer stacking rim.
Thanks for all of the very helpful replies! I'm not totally (or, let's be honest, at all) up on the nomenclature, but I think I'm following along well enough. Can anyone provide or point me towards a good image of the edge of the coin, showing the rounding or bevel? All info very much appreciated.
Here is a 1909 Matte Proof Lincoln. Notice the rim has near vertical edges, and the top of the rim has almost right angles. Here is the edge seen head on, notice it is flat with right angles, and polished. You can compare this with the rim of a business strike. Since cents at one time was often used in dispensers ( candy, gum, etc.) beveled edges allowed it to pass into the mechanism. Not needed for proofs as proofs were not expected to circulate, although this one did came back PCGS PF-58.
desertgem, those pictures are great, particularly the second one. can anyone provide a photo just like that, but of a business strike coin showing the bevel or roundedness? 2CentRick, that's very interesting about the forgeries.
here are 2 photos of the edge of a 2009 type 4 Lincoln cent Uncirculated. The bevels are quite easy to see , and the edges are rough from the planchet punch. Eventually in circulation, the bevel becomes smoother and less noticeable. Jim
Thanks to all of the info y'all provided, I heard those priceless words from my grandfather: "You were right and I was wrong." Yes!
Desertgem - Those are excellent photos. The bevel edge photo shows the punch striations really well. Does CT have a picture archive? Those are keepers and would be good for future use. I am curious and hope you don't mind me asking, what camera and lens did you use?
No, but every member here has one of their own. You can save any pic posted on this forum and place it in one of your albums, that CT does provide.
You know, I never thought about doing that. Thanks for the heads up. I was thinking more in terms of people later down the line asking essentially the same question or other questions to which those photos would prove to be worthy. Personally, I would be very reluctant to use someone elses photos.
Understandable. But is a form of flattery too. I mean keeping a file of pics that you find informative flatters the person that posted the pic doesn't it ? You could also keep your own file of links to posts that you find especially informative. And then when you see a question that needs answered you post that link for them and they can see the original pic. I keep thousands & thousands of coin pictures on my computer for my own reference and future comparisons. I also have more numismatic files on my computer than I can count. Keeping such things and having them organized is how one learns.
The camera is a Canon A590IS on macro setting, focused through the eyepiece of a 30 year old B&L 7-30X Stereozoom lab scope. I tried different diopter filters on the camera, but couldn't get the depth of field and clarity possible with the stereo scope. So I shoot through the lens. Jim
You have pictures in your album, so now I'm the one who's confused. How'd they get there if you couldn't figure it out ?
