Reeded edge: why not on 1C and 5C coins?

dan1ecu

Does anyone know?

Dan

FC57Coins

Reeds were designed to thwart the filing of precious metals from coins - since the nickels and cents had no precious metal there was no need to put reeding on them.

Frank

BillJones

The reeded edge was used prevent shaving of precious metal from the coin. On the early half dollars and silver dollars, letter edges were used for the same purposes. Reeded edges were used for coins that were too thin to accomodate letters.

The earliest half cents and large cents did have edge lettering. In 1795 the weights were reduced, and the coins became much thinner. After a few experimental strikings the edge lettering was dropped.

Bottomline: reeded edges were used to protect silver and gold coins. Plain edges were used for base metal coins. The reeded edges continue on the clad coinage at least partly as a tradition.

dan1ecu

I see, Frank. That does make sense. Thanks! Dan

dan1ecu

"Plain edges were used for base metal coins. The reeded edges continue on the clad coinage at least partly as a tradition."

I think that the reeding is more attractive than a plain edge.

Dan

richbeat

The reeded edges also help visually impaired people identify the coins, although that may or may not have been the mint's intention when they kept the reeded edges on the copper nickel clad coins.

mnmcoin

<< <i>Reeds were designed to thwart the filing of precious metals from coins - since the nickels and cents had no precious metal there was no need to put reeding on them. >>



Okay, if that is the case, then why doesn't the golden dollar have reeding?!?

morris <><

kranky

To help the visually impaired distinguish it from a quarter.

lclugza

The 20 cent piece also had a plain edge, apparently to allow people to distinguish it from the quarter. It didn't help-- people still confused the two. Maybe the "Sac" would do better if it was 8 sided or something.

I have a friend who thinks he "knows it all" about coin collecting, who has some 20 cent pieces. Just for fun, I will tell him all 20 cent pieces that have a plain edge are counterfeit!