Rex Trulove
More specifically, have you ever wondered why US quarters, dimes, 50-cent pieces, and dollar coins have little ridges along the edge? They can be seen on the edge of the quarters in the image. There actually is a reason and it has nothing to do with vending machines and the like.
Originally, the US 25-cent piece or quarter, the dime, the 50-cent piece, and the dollar coin were made out of silver or gold. Both silver and gold are of great value, by weight. At one time, people used to shave off a little of the outside edge of these coins, then sell the gold or silver that they collected. This is, of course, both illegal and dishonest.
The ridges started being put on the edge of these coins so that merchants and others would know if the edge of the coin had been shaved, which made it worth less than its face value. These coins really don’t need the ridges anymore, but they are still put there by tradition.
You might also note that nickels or 5-cent pieces and pennies don’t have ridges. Why? Nickels were and are made of nickel. Pennies are made of copper. Neither metal has ever had a great deal of value, so nobody cared if they were shaved or not.
For me, a dollar will not be completed without them.
In the US, most dollars aren’t coins, they are either paper or electronic. We do have a one dollar coin, but most people don’t use them.
I guess it exists only in Asian territories.
Wow.. I thought the ridges are for the blinds (no offense meant). very informative article. ?
What is neat about it is that the real reason actually makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? lol
The last I heard the copper in a 1¢ coin was valued at 2¢.
I’m honestly not sure what the price of copper in now, though the price has gone up. Still, quarters now have copper wafered inside of them now, so a penny could very well be worth more than face value, but a quarter is most likely worth less than face value.
True. Have you noticed how badly post-1982 pennies have gotten. I have a couple of 2,000+ year old Widow’s Mites that are in better condition.
Thank you for sharing this post about the coins.
I never actually knew this. It is fun to learn about all the little quirks and traditions that have made our country what it is today.
I agree entirely. They might have little meaning today, but they did at one time.