What is proper ratio of diameter to thickness?

CaptHenway

I seem to recall reading somewhere that coins in general had an optimal ratio of diameter to thickness.
Does this ring a bell with anyone?
Thanks,
TD

TomB

I've never read anything with respect to that idea, but it is an interesting concept. Does this ideal ratio have to do with the striking properties of the metal? If so, I would imagine it would change from metal to metal. Alternatively, does this ratio have to do with public acceptance or usage of coinage?

Coinosaurus

This thread would have been much funnier if you had said "size to thickness" instead of "diameter to thickness."

Just eyeballing US coinage from 1c to $20, it is clear that there is some consistency in this ratio.

AUandAG

Where do you measure the thickness? Finding the tolerances for each coin
is not easy to do (at least for me). Is the rim always the thickest as it protects
the coin?
bob

BlindedByEgo

<< <i>This thread would have been much funnier if you had said "size to thickness" instead of "diameter to thickness."

Just eyeballing US coinage from 1c to $20, it is clear that there is some consistency in this ratio. >>



Nah, everyone knows size doesn't matter. Ratios, however, are critical.

Anyhow, I have not read anything regarding diameter:thickness.

Hotfootspin

The Redbook lists diameters for all coins, but not thickness. If you wanted to investigate,
you'd need to measure the thickness of the various coins yourself, or find them published
elsewhere, or ask your friends who are experts in each field. (I can't imagine that such
measurements haven't already been undertaken.) Then just enter all the values in Excel.

Mark

RWB

See this old thread:
Thickness

ProofArtworkonCircs

<<I seem to recall reading somewhere that coins in general had an optimal ratio of diameter to thickness.>>

Certainly, if true, it has been violated on occasion. Look at the type 2 and 3 gold dollars versus the type 1. Forign gold coins seem thinner and larger in diameter than corresponding USA gold. The nickel seems thick compared to the quarter. That is a good thing or we would be confusing them.

CaptHenway

<< <i>See this old thread:
Thickness >>



Yes, that has the link to the chart in Rennaissance 1905-1908.

Using those figures, the diameters of the gold coins run from 13.25 to 14.0 times the thicknesses of the coins. On the silver, we have a diameter range of 13.83 to 14.69 times the thicknesses.

The nickel is noticably thicker, with the diameter only 10.7 times the thickness. The cent is 12.095 times the thickness.

So, excluding the unimportant minor coins (in the Mint's eye), we have a fairly consistant ratio of diameter to thickness of about 14 to one, +/- 0.8. Perhaps the nickel was made smaller and thicker to make it easier to distinguish from the quarter.

To me these ratios seem to feel right. You may disagree if you wish.

The five ounce hockey pucks have a ratio of 18.75 to 1. I can't wait to hold one in my hand to see how right it "feels."

TD