Holes In US Coins?

Hi Matt

Welcome to the forum !

The reason for the holes is as diverse as those who drilled,drove nails through them ,,or whatever means they used to make the holes.

I have seen lucky coins nailed above doors ,I have also seen some coins worn as jewelry by putting a hole in the coin and running a leather or chain through it.

Metalman

I have seen Large cents in old barns nailed to the rafters and stuff also. I guess it was supposed to be good luck back in the day or something and when you built a new house they would nail a coin to the doorway/rafter like a horseshoe over the doorway (which would be good luck until you slammed the door and it got lose and bonked you on the head when you passed under it)

As already noted it used to be a common thing to do. Way, way back many would drill holes in coins to put a string through them so they wouldn't get lost. Ever watch movies of the old days when everyone had a purse for money, no pockets. If you wanted to give a girl a bracelet of necklace and you were a kid in school with little monitary resources you would drill a hold in a coin, put a little chain through it, presto, a necklace. Of course there have been many that made a slight profit from drilling holes in Silver coins or taking a chip off the edge. Accumulation of Silver and still be able to spend the coins in machines and then sell the Silver. Many would melt the Silver and make jewlery from it and then sell.