NNP

Edge.  The outer circumference or plane of a numismatic or medallic item formed by the thickness of the piece. Edges are not to be confused with border or rims, which are parts of the obverse and reverse planes; but edges extend from the termination of the border or rim on one side to the termination on the opposite side of the piece, from one rim/edge juncture to the other.

The shape of the edge adds to its artistic effect. Basically there are seven shapes:

1)  Squared edge:  has sharp, angular corners.

2)  Rounded edge:  has no corners, but forms a smooth half circle.

3)  Beveled edge:  has one side's diameter greater than the other causing a slanting or oblique edge.

4)  Double beveled edge:  has two beveled edges coming together and forming a sharp point at the center of the edge.

5)  Concave edge:  semi-circular cavity around entire circumference.

6)  Contorniate edge:  one or more furrows in the edge.

7)  Cannelured edge:  a depressed panel or groove with ornamentation or lettering, as engrailment, created by the canneluring machine.

An example of the double beveled edge is the Studebaker Centennial Medal of 1952 (52-6); an example of a concave edge is the 4-inch Woolworth 150th Anniversary Medal of 1929 by Whitehead & Hoag (J&J 25:8); and an example of contorniate edge is the Weisman Institute of Science Medal, 1959.

Some edges were hand filed to make round or fit a prescribed diameter, as to fit a mounting, a bezel or an album porthole. At the Paris Mint in 1640s hand-filed edges are in evidence (as Louis XIII and Richelieu Medal, 1641, J&J 20:382). A form of adjusting or preforming blanks before striking has occurred as well.

Edges are humorously (but accurately) referred to as the "third side" of a

numismatic or medallic item and are the location of reeding, or a variety of lettering, figures, symbols, ornamentation, engrailment or hallmarking. Reeding was originally invented to prevent clipping of coins, then other forms of ornaments were applied to the edges of coins, notably engrailment and lettering. Lettering and numbering are widely applied to medallic items.  See edge lettering and numbering.

Edges can sometimes reveal the type of die (or process) used to strike a given piece; the following evidence may help determine the type of die or press used:

Coining      Die with   Open

                                               or Collar   Segmented  Face

                                                   Die            Collar       Die

CANNOT DIFFERENTIATE

"Plain" edge. . . . . . . . . . . .             X                   X              X

Engrailment . . . . . . . . . . . .             X                  X              X

Serial number . . . . . . . . . . .            X                   X              X

Sunken lettering:

Machine engraved . . . . . . .     X                   X              X

Hand engraved. . . . . . . . . .     X                   X              X

Collar clash. . . . . . . . . . . .              X                   X               

CAN DIFFERENTIATE

Reeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             X

Interrupted reeding. . . . . . .    X

Parital collar or

railroad rim error . . . . . . .      X

Tool marks or annular rings

on the edge. . . . . . . . . . .                                               X

Raised lettering or ornamentation .                        X

Collar gaps . . . . . . . . . . . .            X                                                                  

excerpted with permission from

An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology

For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON

Roger W. Burdette, Editor