Grubin Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 In my grandfather's large cent collection I found an 1848 Large Cent with a reeded edge. I can't find any info or reference on this. If this was done by hand it sure would have taken a long time and for what purpose? Any info, comments or thoughts on this would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insider Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Looks altered outside the mint. The reeding is very irregular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkFeld Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Yes, it looks altered - note the difference in color between the (bright) edge and the surfaces of each side of the coin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWB Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Made with a common knerling tool by someone not well trained in using it. Not a US Mint product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James_OldeTowne Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 I have seen reeded-edge large-cents (and incidentally, 5-cent nickels) as well, and have always assumed it to be an activity comparable to creating love-tokens. In every case, the reeding was noticeably handiwork, and not machine-made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubin Posted October 28, 2020 Author Share Posted October 28, 2020 Guys, thanks for taking the time to look at the photos and provide me with some feedback. I have never heard of a knerling tool. Learn something new every day! I wonder though what would have been the purpose of doing this to the cent? By the way, the edge is not discolored (bright) and is the same color as the rest of the coin. I probably used a bright light or was too close to the light when I took the different photos. The altering was done at least 50 years ago as that's how long my grandfather had his cent collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri Charriere Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 [Why? Probably for the same reason why folks whittle wood or sculpt blocks of ice... Anything from boredom or having something to do with artistic expression.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
