What is Coin Reeding? What Does it Mean in Coin Collecting?

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What is coin reeding?

Is it effective against coin forgery, shaving and clipping?

How is coin reeding done?

Learn about it right below!

Here’s an awesome quiz about coin reeding and coins with reeded edges. For your best results take it after you’ve read this guide.

What is Coin Reeding? What Does it Mean in Coin Collecting?

Table of Contents

What is Coin Reeding (Meaning and Definition)

Coin reeding is the process of making reeds or grooves on the edges of coins in a bid to prevent counterfeiting.

Reeding makes it hard for forgers to replicate coins and also gives coins unique patterns and designs on their edge’s surface.

Who Invented Coin Reeding?

Ancient Greeks and Romans invented coin reeding.

Many of the recovered ancient coins feature reeded edges. And we know from ancient documents that coin shaving and counterfeiting were malpractices even then.

The official invention of coin reeding traces back to Sir Isaac Newton.

He introduced the concept during his time as Warden of The Royal Mint in the late 17th century.

The rampant practice of coin clipping, (individuals shaving off metal from gold and silver coins) was the impetus behind this innovation in coin minting.

Reeding gained traction with the introduction of the collar die in coin presses during the late 1700s and 1800s. This advancement enabled easier application of reeded edges in the minting process.

Historical machines, for example the Castaing machine from the 14th century, also played a role in the development of reeding on coin blanks prior to striking.

Overall, Newton’s contribution marked a significant shift in coin production and security as now coin reeding was standardized and automatized as much as possible for those times.

Castaing machine was used to reed coins during the minting process

Does Coin Reeding Fully Prevent Coin Shaving?

No, coin reeding doesn’t fully prevent coin shaving. It makes it much harder though.

Coin reeds are uniform in design and looks. So it’s a clear sign the coin’s been tampered with when reeds appear disrupted and damaged.

Modern coins aren’t made with precious metals so coin reeding’s anti-shaving role is now hugely diminished, but not obsolete.

Does Coin Reeding Fully Prevent Coin Counterfeiting?

No, coin reeding doesn’t fully prevent coin counterfeiting. It makes it more difficult for forgers because reeded coins are much harder to replicate than smooth-edged coins.

Especially when you consider that reeds needn’t be uniform. Coin reeds can contain elaborate designs and different spacing between reeds and these two factors (especially when combined) make it nearly impossible for a forger to replicate.

Here’s an example from a German 2 euro coin, embossed with Germany’s unofficial national motto “Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit”

How is Coin Reeding Done?

Coin reeding is done through a process that utilizes a collar during the striking of the coin. The collar, which has the reeded pattern milled into its inner surface, surrounds the blank coin during the striking process.

As the dies press into the blank, the metal flows outwards and into the grooves of the collar, forming the reeded edge.

Do Gold IRA Coins Have Reeded or Smooth Edges?

Yes, most gold IRA coins have reeded edges.

Reeds are added to IRA-approved coins to make them more intricate and beautiful, but also as a security measure.

Gold IRA eligible coins are made of four most popular precious metals (gold, silver, platinum and palladium) and any coin forger would want to successfully replicate and sell these coins to unsuspecting investors.

Fake gold IRA coins are one of the common scams in the gold IRA space.

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