Hello All! I have several coins, American and Non-American alike, that have holes in them. The holes are uniform, no more than one hole in each coin, and they do not look like they were punched thru with a machine. It almost looks as if the holes were drilled into them (with something), but the edges of the holes are smooth, not jagged like they would be if a drill was used. Does anyone have any information about holey money? I have no clue what might have done this - maybe an uneven cast? I know that in ancient China and Japan that money was punched (or cast with holes in the design) so that it could be strung together on a cord to prevent loss or theft, but I'm not sure that anything of that sort was customary in the U.S. Unlike this picture, all of the holes are not as large, nor are they centered. This is just like one of about 12 coins that I have that have holes. Any Thoughts? Thank You!!
The only thing that comes to mind is I remember seeing coins of an early British? colony that used spanish coins where a section was punched out of the center that acted as one denomination and the outer ring was another. I beleive it was an Caribbean colony in the early 1800s. I also kinda remember it being a scalloped hole, but I could be wrong.
Prince Edward Island and New South Wales and the Caribbean: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holey_dollar
First of all coins are not cast. Second, I'm 99% sure it's damage. Third, we'll need pics of your coins. Last , they were probably hung around someone's neck as a medal or something like that.
This is the write-up from Heritage Auctions for the coin that the OP used: "Prince Edward Island Holey Dollar 1813, CH-PE1, KM2, circular counterstamp of 10 triangles on a center punched 1800 Mo 8 Reales, VF20 ICCS. A method developed by the new PEI governor in 1813 to create a local currency that would be used and remain only on the island. From the Dominion Collection." http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=419&Lot_No=50871
To: Ikandiggit -- Oh gosh! No! Major typo! It is LIKE one of 12 coins that I have. My question then turns to this: My coins are not all Prince Edward Island Holey Dollars, and several of them aren't from the Caribbean, so does that make the other coins just damaged, as Eric0911 stated? To: Eric0911 -- Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that coins in cardstock weren't appreciated as pictures? I don't want to have to take them out of the CS just to photograph them? Is it okay if they are? Thank you all so much!! I had no idea!
We'd really have to see pics. What kind of "card stock" are they in? Are you talking about the cardboard 2x2's with the windows?
Here's an old English coin I have with a hole drilled in it Diabolical. Holes were put in coins for different reasons. Those near the edge of the coin were usually applied so it could have been suspended on a chain, watch fob, pin, or something else to be worn as a personal momento, celebration of some event or person, etc. The one like I've posted may have been intended for use as a washer, grommet, or some other type of hardware. There are documented examples of holed coins being used for such things. Ikandiggit gave a good explanation for your coin. Pictures of your other pieces would be nice. Bruce
Holey dollars were deliberately made. No, not to wear or for any purpose other than to make circulating 'small change'. The interior piece, called a dump, was punched with a design for use as a smaller coin. for more: http://www.coinnews.net/2007/11/27/australias-first-million-dollar-penny-and-first-coin-3846/ And, yes, PMD, but not in the way mentioned.
