15-08-2019, 08:22 AM
Reeded edges are a deliberate design feature that was probably out of technological reach for most 15th century mints. The shape and weight of the coin had to evolve to permit the reeded edge.
The point of a reeded edge, of course, was to prevent debasement of the currency by coin clipping. There's a fascinating account of coin development in a recent Issac Newton biography whose name escapes me. Must look it out.
The point of a reeded edge, of course, was to prevent debasement of the currency by coin clipping. There's a fascinating account of coin development in a recent Issac Newton biography whose name escapes me. Must look it out.