The Hidden Story Behind Coin Ridges

Quarters and other coins pass through countless hands every day, yet few people stop to really look at them. If you run your thumb along a quarter’s edge, you’ll notice tiny grooves called “reeds.” These aren’t just for decoration—they’re part of a centuries-old solution to a serious problem.

Back in the 1600s, coin clipping was widespread. People shaved small bits of silver from the edges of coins, collecting the precious metal while still spending the coin at full value. Over time, this practice threatened entire economies.

In 1696, Sir Isaac Newton, serving as Warden of the Royal Mint, introduced a clever solution: reeded edges. These ridges made tampering obvious, as any clipped coin would show uneven or broken grooves. Newton’s reforms, along with his personal efforts to prosecute counterfeiters, restored faith in the currency system.

Even today, U.S. dimes, quarters, and half-dollars keep their ridged edges, despite no longer containing silver. The design continues to serve important roles beyond its original purpose.

First, it provides security. The precise ridge patterns are hard for counterfeiters to copy, and machines such as vending devices use edge sensors to verify authenticity.

Second, reeding helps accessibility. For people who are visually impaired, the textured edges make it easier to distinguish between coins of similar size, such as nickels, dimes, and quarters.

Finally, ridged coins preserve tradition and familiarity. The sound, feel, and roll of reeded coins connect modern users to hundreds of years of history. Next time you hold a quarter, you’re touching a legacy of security, design, and tradition.