2006-10-27 02:55:56 · 4 answers · asked by durga p 1 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
If you are referring to the way that some edges have a ridge, or many ridges right the way round, this dates back to times when people could shave off the edges of coins to steal some value from them before passing them on.
Nowadays, this is to help blind people to distinguish between the coins using touch.
2006-10-27 03:00:07 · answer #1 · answered by Richard S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are talking about the raised rim around the edge of a coin, it is put on the coin blank first. This rim helps in the flow of the metal when the blank is struck by the dies in the coining press. It also helps in stacking the coins. This however is not done anymore, but back in the old days, the banks stacked coins.
2006-10-27 20:56:30 · answer #2 · answered by Taiping 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you mean why are the edges reeded then see the previous answers. If you mean why is the edge above the plane of the stamped field it is to protect the design and inscriptions on the coin from being quickly worn down.
2006-10-27 15:21:19 · answer #3 · answered by BD in NM 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People used to shave the edges of coins to get some of the gold or silver in them. To prevent that, the edges were decorated.
2006-10-27 10:05:33 · answer #4 · answered by Clown Knows 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋