Edge Lettering on U.S. Coins
Since the 1700s, U.S. coin makers have struck several coin types bearing lettering along their edges. Edge inscriptions first appeared on silver dollars and half dollars in 1794. Silver dollars continued to carry edge lettering until 1804, while half dollars kept it through 1836, even as each coin’s obverse and reverse designs changed several times during those years. The half dollar’s edge read “FIFTY CENTS OR A HALF DOLLAR,” and the silver dollar edge stated “HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT.”
Difficulties With Edge Lettering
At the time this article was published, edge lettering was not a common feature of newly made coins; most new issues had plain or reeded edges. Modern coins using this treatment encountered several complications. In 2007 and 2009, the Mint made Presidential dollar coins and Native American dollar coins, respectively, with edge lettering. For Presidential dollars, the inscriptions were added on entirely separate equipment after circulation strikes. That flawed method allowed thousands of error coins with inverted, absent, or doubled inscriptions to enter circulation.
The next year, Mint technicians addressed the problem by placing the edge lettering during striking with a three-piece segmented collar. This device closely resembles the equipment producers would use a few years later for the Proof 2016-W American Eagle 30th Anniversary silver dollar. Interestingly, each collar tool could inscribe lettering on roughly 19,000 coins before it needed replacement.
Saint-Gaudens Coin Edges
A coin rare-coin dealers often value finding is the Augustus Saint-Gaudens double-eagle $20 coin, whose edge bears “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. Producers struck this scarce coin from 1907 through 1933. The 1933 coin did not enter circulation. Still, one was sold at public auction in 2002 for $7 million!
During 2009, the Mint revisited the original concept by issuing an ultra-high-relief Saint-Gaudens gold coin featuring edge lettering. This reissued piece contained one ounce of .9999 fine gold. Its substantial gold content, together with the increased pressure used for striking, resulted in a coin with more depth than most. As with the original, the edge of the ultra-high-relief coin carries the same “E PLURIBUS UNUM” inscription. The Mint hoped the coin would be accessible to ordinary Americans and modern rare-coin collectors. However, it initially faced a “one coin per person” restriction because its mintage rate was only 115,178.
Selling Rare Coins
When this article was originally published, Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers stated that it enjoyed encountering older and modern coins with edge lettering and invited readers to bring theirs in. The original article said collectors seeking to sell rare coins, or those wishing to browse its inventory for a collection, could receive help. At publication, readers were invited to call Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers at 404-236-9744 to arrange an appointment or appraisal.
