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Why do we still have reeded coins?
kbbpll
Posts: 542 ✭✭✭✭
Just a random thought. Originally it was to deter clipping precious metal from coins. I'm not sure if anybody has clipped a coin in 100 years. I suppose it falls into the same category as "Why is there a Caps Lock on my keyboard?".
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Well the CAPS LOCK is for trolling. Not sure about the reeds.
Tradition.
A very small step to slow down counterfeiting.
Radical change makes it hard on the visually impaired
So the OCD impaired among us will have something to count....
Cheers, RickO
Tradition, minus Sac. and Presidential Dollars
Edge reeding seems to make minor rim dings a little less noticeable too.
Quarters and Nickels are just about the same size to a blind person, but the blind know that the smooth edge is a nickel and the reeded edge is a quarter.
Now, you're thinking about the dollar coins? The SBA dollars have borders on both sides consisting of 11 angles, rather than just a smooth circular border.
THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!
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im not sure id like to see plain edges now that im used to the reeds. just saying
Because I like them.
Aside from their original purpose, reeded edges aid in the discernment of the various denominations.
When the euro coins were designed from scratch with no tradition to restrict them, they still used various edge features to help in distinguishing various coins.
Consider our own small sized dollar coins. The SBA had a reeded edge out of tradition, but they were often confused with quarters, so the Sac and Pres dollars have a smooth edge.
First is to distinguish certain coin denominations from slugs.
Second is because some vending machines use reeds to help separate coins from fakes.
Third is to provide a place for homeless reeds to go so they can feel useful and wanted.