The reeded edges of coins were introduced to deter individuals from shaving or clipping the edges of precious metal coins to recover some metal and devalue the currency.
In the past, coins were made of precious metals like gold or silver, and some clever individuals would discreetly scratch their edges to recover precious metal. Obviously, this made them smaller and lighter, thus less valuable. To stop this scheme, authorities came up with the ingenious idea of putting raised patterns on the edges, called reeding. It became impossible to discreetly take a piece without it being immediately noticeable! These reeded edges also reassured people about the actual value of their coins: a coin in good condition was a reliable coin. This brilliant idea emerged as early as the 17th century, particularly in Great Britain, and spread to many countries to protect the official value of currencies. Today, precious metals are no longer really used, but these reeded edges remain a very practical tradition that still persists.
In the past, certain coins were made from precious metals such as gold or silver. To discreetly hoard some reserves, fraudsters would scratch and slightly cut the edges of the coins to recover metal, before putting them back into circulation as if nothing had happened. Manufacturers found a simple solution: adding reeding on the sides. This idea made any attempt at alteration or scratching immediately obvious. A coin with smooth edges when it should be reeded became very easy to spot. These markings made counterfeiting or fraud much more difficult to carry out discreetly. Today, even with coins made from less precious metals, these grooves persist because they remain effective in limiting scams.
The ribbed edges help to better differentiate the coins by touch, which is useful in daily life but even more important for visually impaired or blind people. Thanks to the grooves, it is enough to run your fingers along the edge to immediately recognize the type of coin without having to look at it. Visually, these ridges also make the coin easily identifiable in a wallet or on a table, reducing hesitations or mistakes. It is both practical, quick, and effective for everyone.
The first grooved edges were obtained by a primitive method called mechanical striking. The piece had to be placed between two knurled rollers to imprint the grooves on the edge. With the arrival of modern presses in the 19th century, the process became faster and more precise thanks to industrial knurling, directly incorporating these grooves during the striking of the piece. Today, manufacturing is done using a high-speed automated process. High-precision dies are used to achieve more regular and detailed grooves while maintaining the strength and familiar tactile identity of the pieces. These modern techniques significantly reduce costs and the time required for production, while ensuring better uniformity of the pieces produced by the millions daily.
The quantity and depth of the grooves can vary from one piece to another, contributing to their tactile distinction and making it possible for visually impaired individuals to identify them or for quick use, such as when searching for coins in a pocket without looking.
Did you know that one-cent euro coins do not have grooves but a completely smooth edge? This is primarily because their low value does not justify the cost and extra effort involved in creating reeded patterns.
Some modern pieces have patterns or text engraved on their edge. This technique, known as "edge inscription," also provides protection against counterfeiting by making the process more complex to reproduce.
Originally, the fluted edges allowed for the immediate identification of coins that had been cut or filed by fraudsters, as these individuals would recover precious metal from the edges of round coins and then reintroduce them into circulation without raising suspicion.
Yes, the grooves can indeed wear down with the heavy use of the coins. This is more common for coins that have a long circulation time. However, they generally remain quite pronounced enough to maintain their anti-counterfeiting and tactile identification functions throughout the average lifespan of a coin.
The technique of reeded edges emerged in the 17th century, primarily to counter fraud through clipping. This method gradually became widespread, notably thanks to English and French coins, and is now adopted by most countries around the world.
Banknotes use other tactile security features, such as printed reliefs or varying sizes between denominations. Since banknotes are made of paper or polymer, it would be impossible to apply grooves to them, as these are specific to metal.
Yes, the ribbed edges greatly aid in tactile identification, especially for visually impaired individuals or in low-light conditions. These patterns allow for quick and accurate recognition of the piece without the need to look at it.
No, not all coins necessarily have reeded edges. Generally, only high-value coins or those made of precious alloys like silver have these grooves. Coins of lesser value are often smooth, as they present a reduced risk of fraud through clipping.
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