Why do coins have ridges deutsch

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Coins have ridges, known as reeding or milling, primarily to prevent counterfeiting and metal shaving. This practice dates back to the 17th century when coins were made of precious metals like gold and silver. The ridges made it obvious if someone had shaved off metal from the edges, which was a common form of theft. Today, even though most coins are made of base metals, reeding persists as a security feature and for tradition.

Key Facts

Reeding on coins began in the 17th century to combat metal shaving
The U.S. Mint introduced reeded edges on silver coins in the 1790s
Modern coins like the U.S. quarter have 119 reeds, while dimes have 118
Reeding helps visually impaired people distinguish coins by touch
Some coins, like the U.S. penny and nickel, have smooth edges as they contain less valuable metals

Overview

Coins have ridges, technically called reeding or milling, along their edges as a historical security measure against counterfeiting and metal theft. This practice originated in the 17th century when coins were primarily made from precious metals like gold and silver. Before reeding, unscrupulous individuals would shave small amounts of metal from the edges of coins, accumulating valuable material while still passing the lighter coins at face value. Sir Isaac Newton, while serving as Warden of the Royal Mint in England, is credited with advocating for reeded edges in the late 1600s. The United States adopted this feature early in its coinage history, with the Coinage Act of 1792 authorizing reeded edges for silver coins. Today, while most coins no longer contain precious metals, reeding persists on many denominations worldwide, serving both practical and traditional purposes. Different countries use varying numbers of reeds; for example, British pound coins have milled edges with alternating patterns for security.

How It Works

The reeding process involves creating raised ridges around a coin's circumference during minting. Modern coins are produced using coin presses that strike blank metal discs (planchets) between two dies. For reeded edges, the collar die—a ring-shaped die that surrounds the planchet during striking—contains grooves that impress the ridges onto the coin's edge. This happens simultaneously with the striking of the coin's faces. The number and pattern of reeds vary by denomination and country, helping with identification. For instance, U.S. quarters have 119 reeds, dimes have 118, and half dollars have 150. Some coins feature security reeding with interrupted or patterned grooves that are harder to counterfeit. The ridges also provide tactile differentiation, aiding visually impaired individuals in distinguishing between coins. While early reeding was done manually or with simple machines, today's automated minting equipment can produce thousands of reeded coins per hour with precise consistency.

Why It Matters

Reeding remains important for multiple reasons beyond its original anti-counterfeiting purpose. It enhances coin security by making it difficult to produce convincing counterfeits without specialized equipment. The tactile feature assists visually impaired people in identifying denominations—a crucial accessibility function in daily transactions. Reeding also helps prevent coin stacking issues in vending machines and coin counters by providing better grip and alignment. Historically, it protected government currency systems from degradation through metal shaving, ensuring the integrity of monetary value. Today, while less critical for base-metal coins, reeding maintains tradition and public trust in coinage. Some modern coins, like the British £1 coin introduced in 2017, use advanced reeding patterns as part of sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures. The continued use of reeding demonstrates how historical solutions can evolve to meet contemporary needs in currency design and security.