They’ve been held a thousand times by you. They were slipped into parking meters. On counters, they were stacked.
flipped them to make choices. But have you ever really looked at a quarter? Run your thumb along its edge?
Those tiny ridges — they’re not just for grip. They’re not decoration. They’re not an accident.
These anti-theft measures date back 300 years, to a time when silver hoards, powdered wigs, and cunning crooks believed they could outsmart the king. Let’s explore the wild, true story behind coin ridges — and why they still matter today.
You’d have a fortune in stolen silver and the government would be none the wiser.
This wasn’t rare. It was uncontrolled. And it menaced the entire economy.
Let’s introduce Sir Isaac Newton. That Isaac Newton, indeed. The renowned physicist was appointed Warden of the Royal Mint in England in 1696.
And one of his initial expeditions? Put down the coin clippers. His remedy?
Coin edges can be given ridges, or “reeds.”
It was impossible to clip silver without being noticed because of these reeding grooves. Fun fact: Newton personally prosecuted over 100 counterfeiters — some of whom were sentenced to passing.
Because the tradition stuck — and it still serves three crucial purposes:
1.
Security Against Counterfeiting
Even today, reeding is part of a coin’s security profile. Modern counterfeiters struggle to reproduce the exact number and depth of ridges
Vending machines and banks use sensors to “read” the edge — helping detect fakes
2. Accessibility for the Visually Impaired
This helps users distinguish coins by touch — a design feature that’s both practical and inclusive
This wasn’t prepared in the 1600s but it’s a beautiful modern benefit.
We’re used to it. We predict it. Coins with ridges just feel like money.
They sound different when they clink. They roll differently. And in a world of digital payments, that tactile experience still matters.
You’ve spotted it:
Pennies and nickels → smooth edges
Dimes and quarters → ridged
Why? Because of history — and value. Pennies (copper) and nickels (copper-nickel) never consisted of precious metals
No silver = no incentive to clip
So no need for reeding
Even though today’s quarters and dimes are also copper-nickel, the U.S.
Mint keeps the ridges for: Tradition, Security and Tactile distinction
Fun fact: Half dollars still have ridges — but most people never watch them.
