Edge Lettering On Old US Coins - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,344
nalaberong Pillar of the Community Canada 2805 Posts	Posted 06/04/2013 11:32 pm I read that the chain cents and early draped bust coins have edge lettering detailing their denomination. But I searched and can't find any good images of this lettering in full (e.g. a scan of the whole rim with all the words). Is this because most of these coins are in slabs and nobody can see their edges? I'm just curious to see these inscriptions now Report this Post to the Staff

philadelphian Pillar of the Community United States 3253 Posts	Posted 06/05/2013 09:16 am It's true that the dominance of the slab culture has necessitated the TPGs discouraging any appreciation of edge decoration among collectors (curse them!). But, to be honest, it does seem it would be a pain to take or display a panoramic photograph of the full 360 degree legend struck by the two halves of the Castaing machine. Don't know if this has been addressed on the photography forum. Calling SsuperDdave! I have a raw Bust dollar, and I'd love to have such a long, narrow photograph of its edge. If Ddave's still in the Philadelphia area, perhaps he would be willing to help make one? Edited by philadelphian 06/05/2013 09:21 am Report this Post to the Staff
Conder101 Bedrock of the Community United States 17884 Posts	Posted 06/05/2013 10:59 am The easiest way to take an image of the edge of a lettered edge coin is to use a flashlight reflector. Attach a disk to the end of a dowel rod.the coin lays on the disk and the rod goes down through the reflector. You then shoot the picture straight down into the reflector. The edge will then be visible in the reflector in a circle around the edge of the coin. MNS grading service's Halo slab uses a similar technique with the reflector built into the slab. Report this Post to the Staff
Scropper CCF Sponsor United States 702 Posts	Posted 06/05/2013 1:19 pm NEAT! Thank you Conder101! Report this Post to the Staff
SsuperDdave Moderator United States 23522 Posts	Posted 06/05/2013 2:20 pm First thing I'd do is a Google Image Search. Report this Post to the Staff
Drsandman2 Pillar of the Community United States 1374 Posts	Posted 06/06/2013 02:15 am Conder, that is nice. Report this Post to the Staff
Ben Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 4208 Posts	Posted 06/06/2013 05:06 am That is nice! Good idea too. I've only ever had to show the edge inscription once and I used tin foil and blue tac. Lay the foil over a long snake of blue tac and just wheel the coin over it. You get a reverse image of the edge inscription layed out in a line. Didnt work so well with the foil (which makes it look nicer and protects the coin from the blue tac) but I'm sure cling film would do as good a job. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,344

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