| Coin Jewelry can be divided into two major | | | | craftsmanship to be shown. From here the coin |
| categories: whole coins and cut coins. This article | | | | can be taken to it final form as a pendant, |
| will seek to give the origin of and details about | | | | earrings, tie tacks, money clips or rings. |
| both types. | | | | Whether it is whole or cut, coin jewelry is |
| Whole coin jewelry has most likely been around | | | | becoming quite popular. Many people purchase |
| since coins were first invented. It is thought that | | | | them to be used as a beautiful accessory, as a |
| Egyptians would decorate their soldiers with | | | | show of national pride or as a collection item |
| medals similar to coins of their day. And, as long | | | | specifically fit to their hobby or interests. To be |
| as soldiers and civilians have been traveling, the | | | | worn especially as an accessory, there are lovely |
| coins of other nations have been a great souvenir | | | | butterfly, delicate flowers, and bold suns, all worn |
| to take back home. Travelers would have coins | | | | as pendants or earrings. One of the most popular |
| finished whole or with added engravings to be | | | | pieces is a stunning coin from Barbados, the ten |
| used as necklaces and rings. | | | | dollar coin with features Neptune with a trident in |
| The other type of coin jewelry is commonly | | | | his hand. When people want to purchase |
| referred to as cut coins. Coin cutting was | | | | something to show their national pride, the Irish |
| probably first seen in the 1600's when men would | | | | and Polish coins are popular and, of course, any of |
| pierce and cut coins to impress their lovers. Since | | | | the American coins, with the new state quarters |
| that time cutting coins has become a serious | | | | being a unique way to show state pride. Finally, |
| form of craftsmanship that is currently producing | | | | there are a huge number of coins for those with |
| some truly unique pieces of jewelry. When cutting | | | | particular interests or hobbies. Whether it is cats |
| coins, craftsman start with a whole coin and then | | | | or dogs, panda bears or any type of sport, there |
| pierce the coin with small holes. A very fine tooth | | | | is a coin that will match most any interest. These |
| jeweler's saw is then inserted into these holes and | | | | are just a few of the vast number of coins that |
| worked until the main figure of the coin is | | | | are available in cut coin jewelry. |
| released. This allows the central figure of the coin | | | | So whether it is a whole coin or one designed by |
| to be featured and seen by itself. The coins can | | | | a craftsman with intricate, beautiful details, coin |
| then be left in its base metal or covered in gold | | | | jewelry is a very unique and a true art form. |
| or silver or, often times, both. The two-tone finish | | | | Article written by Kelly McGee. |
| allows the intricacies of both the coin and the | | | | |