Hi everyone, We're looking to auction a few Victorian coins from an inherited collection, and there are a couple of coins which are very perplexing: one of which has a very crude slit cut across its middle, the other has multiple holes across its surface.
Could anyone perhaps enlighten us as to what these 'alterations' might be due to - are the coins fake? We haven't a clue, so any help appreciated!
Coins were altered for other purposes. I've seen a few large U.S. cents that were made into sewing and cooking implements. These may have been used as a button, or a yarn twist, etc. Or, they could just be the product of idle hands...
"Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
I'll second the "idle hands" thing. When I was a kid in the mid-'60's, my brother and I used to play a bit in our grandpa's workshop. We savaged many cent pieces in a variety of ways with his drill press, grinder, files, and a variety of other metal-working tools. Also learned a bit about electroplating using my chemistry set... If they weren't too badly damaged, they were later spent. No harmful intent, just youthful curiosity combined with a bit of boredom .
There was a tradition of a shopkeeper nailing a counterfeit coin to the counter, both as a warning to potential fake-passers and as a reminder to himself of what fake coins look like. However, this is not the case here, as (a) the coins appear to be genuine, and (b) that's not nail-damage.
All one can really say about these pieces is that the damage is certainly intentional, rather than accidental. Unfortunately, once the context of such damage is removed, it is usually impossible to answer "why". One might make a guess - for example, the top one with the slot might make a functional button - but certainty will elude us.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited. Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use
Posted 02/22/2022 3:36 pm
.
