They’ve been held a thousand times by you.
They were slipped into parking meters.
On counters, they were stacked.
flipped them to make choices.
But have you ever really looked at a quarter?
Run your thumb along its edge?
Those tiny ridges — they’re not just for grip.
They’re not decoration.
They’re not an accident.
These anti-theft measures date back 300 years, to a time when silver hoards, powdered wigs, and cunning crooks believed they could outsmart the king.
Let’s explore the wild, true story behind coin ridges — and why they still matter today.
The Crime That Created Coin Ridges: “Coin Clipping”
Enter the coin clipper — a clever (and illegal) thief who would:
- Shave tiny slivers of metal from the edges of coins
- Gather the shavings to melt down into bullion
- Spend the clipped coin as full value — because it still seemed whole
- Just a little off each coin.
- Hard to notice.
But do it hundreds of times?
You’d have a fortune in stolen silver and the government would be none the wiser.
This wasn’t rare.
It was uncontrolled.
And it menaced the entire economy.
The Solution: Reeded Edges — The Original Anti-Fraud Tech
Let’s introduce Sir Isaac Newton. That Isaac Newton, indeed.
The renowned physicist was appointed Warden of the Royal Mint in England in 1696.
And one of his initial expeditions?
Put down the coin clippers.
His remedy?
Coin edges can be given ridges, or “reeds.”
It was impossible to clip silver without being noticed because of these reeding grooves.
Why?
- A clipped coin would have broken or uneven ridges
- A full coin had perfect, continuous grooves
- No machine at the time could reproduce the mint’s precise reeding pattern
- It was 17th-century security tech — and it worked.
Fun fact: Newton personally prosecuted over 100 counterfeiters — some of whom were sentenced to passing.
Why Some Coins Still Have Ridges (And Others Don’t)
- Fast forward to today.
- Coins aren’t made of silver anymore (except for special editions).
So why do quarters, dimes, and half-dollars still have ridges?
Because the tradition stuck — and it still serves three crucial purposes:
1. Security Against Counterfeiting
Even today, reeding is part of a coin’s security profile.
Modern counterfeiters struggle to reproduce the exact number and depth of ridges
Vending machines and banks use sensors to “read” the edge — helping detect fakes
2. Accessibility for the Visually Impaired
- Ridges aren’t just for machines.
- They’re for people.
- For those who are blind or low-vision, texture matters.
- A smooth-edged penny or nickel feels different from a ridged dime or quarter
This helps users distinguish coins by touch — a design feature that’s both practical and inclusive
This wasn’t prepared in the 1600s but it’s a beautiful modern benefit.
3. Consistency & Familiarity
We’re used to it.
We predict it.
Coins with ridges just feel like money. They sound different when they clink. They roll differently.
And in a world of digital payments, that tactile experience still matters.
Why Pennies & Nickels Are Smooth
You’ve spotted it:
Pennies and nickels → smooth edges
Dimes and quarters → ridged
Why?
Because of history — and value.
Pennies (copper) and nickels (copper-nickel) never consisted of precious metals
No silver = no incentive to clip
So no need for reeding
Even though today’s quarters and dimes are also copper-nickel, the U.S. Mint keeps the ridges for: Tradition, Security and Tactile distinction
Fun fact: Half dollars still have ridges — but most people never watch them.
