Questions about old coins

bbheigle0605

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Feb 9, 2013
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Not sure if I'm posting in the right forum or not but I've always questioned these coins. They were pasted down from my father along with many other various old coins. Could someone explain why some have holes and why the last coin looks as if someone rubbed it to death? It is 4 coins in all. Thank you in advance!!!!
 

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Some would wear them as jewelry or even buttons. You'll usually see that on older coins through out most the world
 

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The last coin that's rubbed down was probably never dropped and passed down. Over time with much handling was worn down
 

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they could have been target coins nailed to tree,fence post etc.I have found several that have been shot.bummer.The worn out coin may have been silver and again I have found them in almost smooth condition.My grandpa used to have a lucky quarter,he had a habit of rubbing it while he talked to me or watching tv etc.He would flip it and tell me to call heads or tails...then tell me which side came up...he always won.
pat
 

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I've found several coins in Civil War camps that have holes in them. Apparently they wore them around their neck. These two have been made by using a square nail. Interesting that both coins have same square holes. Possibly the same person did both. The Large cent was made of copper. Looks like that one has just wore down over the years. Found several in the same shape, or worse, than that one. Thanks for sharing.
 

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they could have been target coins nailed to tree,fence post etc.I have found several that have been shot.bummer.The worn out coin may have been silver and again I have found them in almost smooth condition.My grandpa used to have a lucky quarter,he had a habit of rubbing it while he talked to me or watching tv etc.He would flip it and tell me to call heads or tails...then tell me which side came up...he always won.
pat

Hahaha!!!!!! Of course he would win ;) What comes to mind when you told me this story is some of these were my grandfathers. He died when my father was a child. Anyway, my son has Tourette Syndrome and so does my father and my grandfather. Apparently, people that new my grandfather said he had strange behaviors (tics) and someone said he constantly rubbed his hands and fingers together. Hummmmmm......wonder if that coin belonged to him. I need to ask my dad. Thanks for sharing!!!!
 

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I've found several coins in Civil War camps that have holes in them. Apparently they wore them around their neck. These two have been made by using a square nail. Interesting that both coins have same square holes. Possibly the same person did both. The Large cent was made of copper. Looks like that one has just wore down over the years. Found several in the same shape, or worse, than that one. Thanks for sharing.

I was hoping i could read the date on the one with the square nails but cant! Darn! That would be so interesting if a soldier had it. The one that looks like its be shot is 1868.
 

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Check out my post of http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/333466-liberty-coin-two-holes-update.html I explain here what the two holes on the coin mean it was for arthritis prevention mainly used in the early to mid 19th century. I too thought they were jewelry pieces when i dug a few til i was told by a cw expert and there was also a article years ago in one of the digging magazines like north south trader that wrote about it also.
 

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Your first coin is called a wizzer, put a string through the holes knot the loop and pull hours of mindless fun. HH
BK
 

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Toys a"buzzer" were two holes, one hole to put on rope? maybe as it was long ago.20120511_105739.jpgI find silver/nickel nuggets that are holed in 1600s.
 

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Here is a closer pic of that liberty with two holes in it and for some odd reason its like they meant to drill a hole right thru the date!
 

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Here is a closer pic of that liberty with two holes in it and for some odd reason its like they meant to drill a hole right thru the date!

How cool is that!!!! Seems very similar. I hate they HAD to nail through the date. I need to see if there is info on Internet about that. Thank you!!
 

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Toys a"buzzer" were two holes, one hole to put on rope? maybe as it was long ago.<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=763245"/>I find silver/nickel nuggets that are holed in 1600s.

First off, I'm so envious you have stuff from 1600's!! Second, I never thought of a game. So neat!!!
 

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Haha! i must research this game! i might be interested in playing. Thank you!!!!
Try it you got a string? You cant hurt it, they go fast and make a wizzing sound. HH
several wraps of dental floss should work? Id like to here your results?
BK
 

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Well although it doesn't explain all the holes in your collection I do have a answer for maybe one or two and if someones else has posted this I apologize .
Years ago when 5 cents could actually buy a meal people who traveled used to punch holes in some of there change and then sew it inside their pocket ( or pockets ) to keep from losing it . I even heard tales that the phrase "pocket change" came from this practice .
The other coins possibly where punched just to decorate something . And some that are heavily rubbed can be attributed to the heavy material used back then in pocket linings or finger rubbed as a good luck .
My father used to carry a lucky stone from a beach he landed on during WW2 and he actually polished it with his hands rubbing it for luck through the years afterwards ..... just a though . Woodstock
Not sure if I'm posting in the right forum or not but I've always questioned these coins. They were pasted down from my father along with many other various old coins. Could someone explain why some have holes and why the last coin looks as if someone rubbed it to death? It is 4 coins in all. Thank you in advance!!!!
 

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No one has told you what they are, only why the holes... surprising.

The second picture set is the second clad-alloy coin minted by the US (after the copper-nickel Flying Eagle small cents), known as "Shield" nickels for the shield on the front. Shield nickels were minted from 1866 to 1883, minted concurrently with silver half-dimes from 1866 to 1873, and then ultimately replaced the silver half-dime altogether. The first, third and fourth picture sets are known as "Liberty V" nickels for the "V" designator for 5 cents in place of the usual "5" or "Five". They replaced Shield nickels in 1883 and were minted until 1912, when they were replaced by Buffalo nickels.
 

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No one has told you what they are, only why the holes... surprising.

The second picture set is the second clad-alloy coin minted by the US (after the copper-nickel Flying Eagle small cents), known as "Shield" nickels for the shield on the front. Shield nickels were minted from 1866 to 1883, minted concurrently with silver half-dimes from 1866 to 1873, and then ultimately replaced the silver half-dime altogether. The first, third and fourth picture sets are known as "Liberty V" nickels for the "V" designator for 5 cents in place of the usual "5" or "Five". They replaced Shield nickels in 1883 and were minted until 1912, when they were replaced by Buffalo nickels.

Thank you very much for all the information!! I'm not familiar with old coins even tho I've always looked at my father's collection growing up. He has so many and even he doesn't even know much about them haha! Trying to research hundreds of coins can be a daunting task!!! Thank you :)
 

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Well although it doesn't explain all the holes in your collection I do have a answer for maybe one or two and if someones else has posted this I apologize .
Years ago when 5 cents could actually buy a meal people who traveled used to punch holes in some of there change and then sew it inside their pocket ( or pockets ) to keep from losing it . I even heard tales that the phrase "pocket change" came from this practice .
The other coins possibly where punched just to decorate something . And some that are heavily rubbed can be attributed to the heavy material used back then in pocket linings or finger rubbed as a good luck .
My father used to carry a lucky stone from a beach he landed on during WW2 and he actually polished it with his hands rubbing it for luck through the years afterwards ..... just a though . Woodstock

I have never heard of that and makes perfect sense! I told my father and he has heard of the pocket change tale! thank you very much. guess if could be anyone of these suggestions.
 

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