According to about.com, there are three (3) theories as to why designers incorporated denticles on their coins: Artistic License It is most commonly believed that these decorative designs were added to coins in order to help frame the subjects featured on the coins. It gives the illusion of a thicker rim while at the same time providing a decorative component to a utilitarian feature of a coin. Better Protection The primary purpose of the rim on a coin is to help to protect the design elements from wearing away prematurely. A thicker rim would last longer and give better protection to the highest points on the design elements. Ease of Striking A thicker rim would provide better protection to the design elements of the coin but it would be more difficult to strike. If you look at a comment United States coin you will see a raised flat surface around the entire circumference of the coin. If this was made thicker in order to provide additional protection, it may impact the artistic design of the coin. Additionally, it could cause problems in the striking process and the quality of coins would suffer. The article goes on to point out that coining collars were not used. This caused the metal to flow freely outward, leading to inconsistent diameters and edges that were rounded instead of square. "It is thought that the addition of denticles around the rim would help restrict the metal flow so that the design elements in the deepest recesses of the coining die would fill in during the striking process. It is not known for certain if this really helped produce better quality coins." Those of you who understand the minting process can help me understand if these assertions are correct. Thanks.
Nice article. I know nothing about the minting process but I would think the addition of them also strengthens the edge of the coin. Also when you align them in your hand I would think the denticles help the coins line up and not snag on the inner rim edge .. but I know nothing about coin design just other design stuff.
Hmmmmm....I always thought that it was a way to deter folks from shaving the metal (silver and gold) from the coin. Doing so would make such deception clearly evident. Interesting article, but I don't like those guys over there.
