Who knows why coins are round.

dimples · September 30, 2004 5:17AM

most coins

CarlWohlforth · September 30, 2004 5:19AM

I'm not sure why coins are round, but I know why manhole covers are round.

LincolnCentMan · September 30, 2004 5:19AM

1) It's easier to make the wrapers for them.
2) When they are struck, a round planchet allows for the most efficieant distribution of force.

David

kamehameha00 · September 30, 2004 5:23AM

eyoung429 · September 30, 2004 5:24AM

It's very hard to get a soda with a square coin.....they don't roll too well!!!!

But in all honesty, I don't know....there has been all types of shapes tried thoughout the years.

BTW.....Carl, why are manhole covers round?

LincolnCentMan · September 30, 2004 5:28AM

...but I know why manhole covers are round.

When I was in the eighth grade, my science teacher asked me why manhole covers are round but never told me the answer. It has been a question that has plagued my existance since that time. Perhaps you could bring closer to this chapter in my life and give me a since of completion. Here are the answers I have reasoned out:

1) Because it is the only shape where the cover cant be turned side ways and allowed to drop through the hole. Eliminates pranksters from droping the "lid" down the hole.

2) Because it allows for even distribution of force when the cover shrinks or swells because of heat. Because the cover's coefficent of linear expantion is different from that of the concrete around it, it will push on the concrete as it heats up. If the cover were square, then it would appy the most pressure in the corners, and cause the asfault or concrete to bust up there. Because it is round it has even distribution of force and keeps the area around it from busting up.

3) Because manholes are round.

David

flaminio · September 30, 2004 5:29AM

dimples · September 30, 2004 5:29AM

I think man holes are round so the covers can't fall in.

Stuart · September 30, 2004 5:31AM

Round coins reduce the chance of sharp edges cutting holes in your pockets

RotatedRainbows · September 30, 2004 5:31AM

Because the corner on square coins used to tear holes in the pockets of cavemen and they were always losing them.

ER · September 30, 2004 5:33AM

<< <i>Because the corner on square coins used to tear holes in the pockets of cavemen and they were always losing them. >>

You mean, they were losing.....THEM?

Bear · September 30, 2004 5:35AM

1`. So they do not makes holes on ones pockety or purse

2... So that they can be rolled and stored efficiently.

anoldgoat · September 30, 2004 5:38AM

They stack easier.

nankraut · September 30, 2004 5:42AM

so you can punch a hole in 'em, and use them as a washer.

granddad · September 30, 2004 5:43AM

So that they could be rolled down the bar.

Louis

spoon · September 30, 2004 5:55AM

The same reason why most cookies are round.

MrSpud · September 30, 2004 8:17AM

Click here for answer

mgoodm3 · September 30, 2004 8:23AM

How would they fit in rolls if not round? Come on people, think!

nwcs · September 30, 2004 8:32AM

I think it may have to do with making it harder to scrape metal from the edges. If the outside edge is smooth and circular, any cuts into it for metal are very easily seen. Of course, edge design helped with that, too.

CarlWohlforth · September 30, 2004 8:49AM

Ha, Ha, Ha! "Why are manhole covers round?" was a job interview question asked of a few software engineers who applied for jobs at Microsoft many years ago (don't know if they still ask that one). And.... LincolnCentMan got very close to the answer. I guess he had thought about it for a while

He guessed: "1) Because it is the only shape where the cover cant be turned side ways and allowed to drop through the hole. Eliminates pranksters from droping the "lid" down the hole."

Not only does it prevent pranksters from droping the lid down the hole it prevents the lid from going down the hole by accident or for any other reason. Normally there would be a worker down the hole if the lid was off so it could be very, very bad if the lid went down the hole!

joeyuk · September 30, 2004 9:07AM

Not to mention the high voltage wires which do not take kindly to heavy metal objects landing on them.

TUMUSS · September 30, 2004 9:08AM

Why are coins round? So they don't fall down manholes.

sliderider · September 30, 2004 12:12PM

<< <i>1`. So they do not makes holes on ones pockety or purse

2... So that they can be rolled and stored efficiently. >>

Wait, I read somewhere once that coins weren't stored in rolls until what?? The 1850s or something like that?? They were round well before then so that reasoning doesn't hold up.

granddad · September 30, 2004 12:38PM

Mrspud,
The great Yogi also said, "It ain't over until it is over." So to further the hypothesis of your link: "Some people learn by hearing, some people learn by seeing, and well unfortunately some people just have to piss on the electric fence."

Have a Great Day!
Louis

dorkkarl · September 30, 2004 8:23PM

we actually studied this in a college course long ago. bottom line is: round is the cheapest shape to manufacture. it's also why, for example, soda cans & oatmeal canisters are round.

seriously!

K S

earlwbollinger · September 30, 2004 8:32PM

Why are coins round?

Ans: Vending machines, nothing else works as well as round coins.
As a nation becomes more developed and acquires more vending machines or things that require coins to buy something, the coins all become round and
accomodating for vending machines. Thus round coins slide and roll down the slots in a vending machine and also make it easier to detect fake coins.

PreTurb · September 30, 2004 9:57PM

When you squish a blob of bullion, it forms a generally round shape. From that point in ancient history onward, the round shape became a tradition.

Purple73 · September 30, 2004 10:00PM

So they are easier to drop. So people like me can go dig them up years later!

PURPLE!

koynekwest · September 30, 2004 11:00PM

On the manhole cover thing, in addition to not falling in the hole-they are a little easier to roll than they are to carry. I wouldn't want to try to roll a square or triangular manhole cover.

earlwbollinger · September 30, 2004 11:11PM

On the manhole cover thing, in addition to not falling in the hole-they are a little easier to roll than they are to carry. I wouldn't want to try to roll a square or triangular manhole cover.

Rolling manhole covers down a hill is pretty spectacular too, especially the stop at the bottom!

calgolddiver · September 30, 2004 11:19PM

octagonal vs round .... could it be as controversial as NT/AT ... modern/classic ... toned/untoned

NOT

TommyType · October 1, 2004 1:16AM

I'm not surprised nobody has revealed on this forum the REAL answer for why coins are round. The code of silence...the fear of reprisal...the heavy boot of tyranny. Nobody here will talk.

But I'm not afraid. I will not be silenced! It's obviously a conspiracy led by one big name Third Party Grading Service. Heavy lobbying, political pressure, and back room payoffs to those sleazy government officials are to blame. Coins are round because PCGS holders are made for round objects!

Warn your friends! Tell your neighbors! The truth shall set you free!!

(Must cut this short. A black helicopter just landed on my front lawn. He has a loupe around his neck, and I don't think he's afraid to use it).

LALASD4 · October 1, 2004 1:33AM

Because the Greeks did it and everyone just follow their design. It could also be that pieces of metal were use for payment in the past and someone one day decided to hammer the pieces of metal that he has and they turn into circular shape.

dorkkarl · October 1, 2004 3:16AM

whether hammer-struck, hammered, screw-press struck or struck w/ modern machinery, the round shape is the most economic to manufacture.

K S

Who knows why coins are round.

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