Did you know coins can be edged in more than one way? Precious metal coins can have reeded, milled, grooved, lettered, decorated, or plain edges. Each edging technique has different characteristics that allow for unique coin designs that can be differentiated by look and feel. If you’re interested in learning more about the coin edging process and the characteristics of each edging technique, watch this episode of U.S. Money Reserve’s “Did You Know?”
What are the Different Types of Coin Edges: Did You Know? – Video Transcription
Narrator: 00:12
Plain edge. A coin with a plain edge has no devices or lettering. It may be uneven if a collar is not used to hold the planchet and the coining press. If the coining process employs a collard during the striking process, the edge will be smooth and even around the entire circumference of the coin.
Narrator: 00:32
Reeded edge. A coin with a reeded edge has a series of evenly placed vertical grooves around the entire circumference of the coin. The collar has these grooves milled into it and are imparted into the edge of the coin. During the striking process.
Narrator: 00:47
Lettered edge. Lettered edge coins have words or symbols incused into the edge of the coin. These inscriptions may include the date meant Mark denomination, a motto or other things.
Narrator: 01:00
Decorated edge. Coins with a decorated edge may have different designs impressed into the edge of the coin. Flowers, vines, bars, and swirls have all been used to decorate the edges of coins from around the world.
Narrator: 01:14
The rim of a coin. Coin designs can include a rim on a coin on both the obverse and the reverse. In fact, a coin can be said to have two rims, one on the obverse and one on the reverse. The rim is the upraised, flat part of the coin that completely encircles the perimeter of the front and or back on us coins. The rim is usually very thin, but on presidential dollars it is much wider. The purpose being to allow the blind to differentiate the dollar from the quarter dollar coin by touch alone, call the number below or click on the link in the description to learn more about the value of gold and other precious metals.
