Lexi Webster
Making rings from coins is a popular craft that allows people to transform ordinary coins into beautiful, wearable rings. In Australia, it is illegal to intentionally deface, disfigure, mutilate, or destroy any Australian coin. However, as long as the original coin's integrity and value are not altered and it is not passed off as a different denomination, making a ring from a coin is generally acceptable. To make a ring from an Australian coin, you will need a coin that is mostly silver, a hard metal surface to work on, and some basic tools such as a drill, a file, and a ring mandrel. The process involves punching a hole in the coin, folding and shaping the coin into a ring, and then polishing it to achieve a smooth and shiny finish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Hard metal surface, handheld drill, ring mandrel, raw hide mallet, sandpaper, sharpie, half-round file, 4-sided nail buffer block, paper towel, metal polish, vice, jar of water, tongs, punch sizes, ball bearings, arbor press, hydraulic press, reduction die, folding cones, ring stretcher/reducer, butane/propane torch, small bits of wood |
| Coin type | Silver coins with a high silver content are the most popular choice, as they are more malleable. Copper coins can also be used but need to be sealed to prevent staining. |
| Coin size | The size of the coin will determine the size of the ring. Smaller coins are better for smaller fingers and larger coins for larger fingers. |
| Hole size | The hole in the centre of the coin should be big enough to fit the rounded needle file into it. |
| Polishing | Toothpaste or jewellery polish can be used to achieve a mirror finish on the ring. |
| Legal considerations | It is illegal to intentionally deface, disfigure, mutilate, or destroy any Australian coin. However, making rings from coins is generally fine as long as the original coin's integrity and value are not altered and it is not passed off as a different denomination. |
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Choosing the right coin
Firstly, consider the size of the coin in relation to your finger size. If you have small fingers, a smaller coin such as an Australian pre-1946 threepence or sixpence, or a quarter from another country, may be a suitable choice. For larger fingers, opt for a larger coin such as a golden dollar, a silver half dollar, or a pre-1946 Australian one shilling or florin.
The metal composition of the coin is also important. Coins with a high silver content, such as pre-1964 American quarters or the Australian coins mentioned above, are popular choices as they are malleable and produce a high-quality ring. However, keep in mind that copper-based coins, such as Australian pennies, half pennies, and one and two-dollar coins, can stain your fingers unless they are sealed.
Additionally, the design of the coin may be a factor in your decision. You may want to choose a coin with an attractive or meaningful design, or consider the positioning of the text or embossing on the coin, as this will be preserved on the inside of the ring.
It is also important to be aware of the legal implications of altering currency. While it is generally legal to make a ring from a coin, it is illegal to deface, disfigure, mutilate, or destroy Australian coins, or to alter a coin to make it appear like another denomination or of a higher value. Therefore, it is crucial to research local and state laws before beginning this project.
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Hole punching
To make a ring out of an Australian coin, you will need to punch or drill a hole in the coin. The size of the punch or drill bit will depend on the size of the ring mandrel you are using and the desired size of your ring.
Firstly, you must find the centre of the coin. You can do this by using a digital caliper to measure the diameter of the coin, then using the formula provided by one source, you can calculate the centre measurement. With the caliper set, place the coin at the edge and draw a line; rotate the coin about 15 degrees and draw another line. Repeat this process until you have moved the coin a full 360 degrees, and you should be left with a completely centred circle ready to punch out. Alternatively, you can mark the centre of the coin with a sharpie after measuring with a digital caliper.
Once you have found the centre of the coin, you can use a punch to create a small indentation so that your drill bit does not wander and drills cleanly through the centre. You can then use pliers to hold the coin while you drill it. If you are using a hand drill, place a piece of scrap wood underneath so that you do not accidentally drill into the table.
If you are using a manual punch, you will need a copper mallet. Alternatively, you can use a drill bit or a hydraulic press. An auto-centring punch will ensure a clean, precise cut. Punch sizes vary, so select one that matches the desired size of your ring.
After you have punched or drilled a hole in the coin, you can move on to the next steps of folding and shaping the coin into a ring.
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Folding and reduction
Firstly, you need to punch a hole in the coin. The size of the hole will depend on the size of the ring you want to make. A larger hole will result in a wider band, while a smaller hole will create a narrower band. You can use a manual copper mallet or a drill bit to make the hole.
Once the hole is punched, you can begin the folding process. Place the coin on a ring mandrel, with the face that you want on the outside of the ring facing up. You can then use a PVC pipe to start folding and stretching the coin over the mandrel. This process will help you achieve the desired ring size.
After the initial fold, you can place the coin into a stretcher, which will help you further shape the ring. Most stretchers have a built-in reducer that can be used as a doming block and arbor press combo. You can also use a reduction die and a set of folding cones to reduce the size of the ring. The reduction die should be slightly larger than the coin.
If you want to create a "fat tire" look for your ring, you can use 17-degree dies for the initial folding and reduction. Then, to achieve the final shape, switch to 25-degree dies. It's important to note that you may need to experiment with different die sizes depending on your ring size and the desired outcome.
Finally, you can enhance the coin's original embossing by adding patina and polishing the ring. This will give your ring a smooth and shiny finish.
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Shaping
Firstly, you need to mark out a hole in the centre of the coin. This can be done by placing the coin in a vice between two pieces of soft wood and using a sharpie to create a circle as a guide for drilling. It is important to choose the right coin for this process, considering its size, metal composition, and design. Popular Australian choices include pre-1946 silver coins with high silver content, such as the Threepence, Sixpence, and One Shilling.
The next step is to start drilling the hole using a drill bit. The coin should be drilled from both sides, and the hole should be large enough to fit the coin onto the ring mandrel. A ring mandrel is a cylindrical bar used to shape and size the ring. After drilling, the inside of the hole should be smoothed and evened out using a file and sandpaper.
Once the hole is prepared, the coin is fitted onto the ring mandrel, and the shaping process begins. Using a mallet, the coin is folded and stretched to the desired ring size. This process requires patience and precision to avoid damaging the coin. The doming block and ball bearing can also be used to aid in the folding process, with the ball bearing corresponding to the hole size.
After shaping the coin into a ring, the final steps involve refining the shape and smoothing the edges. A de-burring tool and sandpaper are used to remove any burrs and create a uniform edge. The ring is then polished using metal polish and polishing cloths to achieve a mirror finish. This process may take several minutes of high-speed polishing to achieve the desired result.
It is important to note that the shaping process requires specialised tools and a significant amount of time and practice. The success of the ring depends on achieving a centred hole and carefully shaping the coin without distortion.
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Polishing
Start by squeezing a small amount of polish or toothpaste onto a paper towel. Spin the ring using a drill and hold the paper towel against the ring. The grit in the toothpaste or polish will smoothen the surface. It usually takes several minutes of high-speed polishing, as well as several paper towels with polish, to achieve a nice polished look.
You can also use sandpaper to smooth out any jagged edges on the inside and outside of the ring. Start with medium-grit sandpaper and work your way up to a fine-grit one. Make sure no scratches are visible on the ring's exterior after this step.
Finally, apply some metal polish to give it a shiny finish. Mag and Aluminum Polish by Mothers is a good option.
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Frequently asked questions
It is illegal to intentionally deface, disfigure, mutilate, or destroy any Australian coin. However, making rings from coins is generally fine as long as the original coin's integrity and value are not altered and it is not passed off as a different denomination.
You will need a way to make a hole in the coin, such as a drill or a punch, a ring mandrel, and a rawhide mallet. You will also need sandpaper and metal polish.
First, mark and punch a hole in the centre of the coin. Then, fit the coin to the mandrel and start working the coin with the mallet. Fold the coin over and stretch it to the right size as you go. Then, sandpaper and file the rough edges smooth. Finally, polish the ring with metal polish and a paper towel.
Choose the right coin, considering its size, metal composition, and design. Popular Australian choices include pre-1946 silver coins and the 1966 round Fifty cent coin. You should also research your local and state laws to ensure that you are not breaking any laws by defacing currency.
