Making a coin

[mentalbreakdown00]

I have an idea brewing in my head about making some coins from scrap brass. I know how to melt it, and pour it to the correct thicknesses, but I am stuck on the dies and how to make them. I have searched on it some, but not much turned up. I would like to share my little idea, but don't want it copied, am trying to make money off this. I will say it's a commemerative coin about our current administration, and how much change we have left.

 

[Doom's Day Custom]

you know its illegal to do this and the type of metal they used to make coins is called a metal clad because it uses explosives to weld dissimilar metal together and a fake coin is called a slug...

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

Being illeagle to make a prank coin would be news to me. You can buy fake coins of the railroad I visited, poeple take copper and make coins for wierd stuff all the time and sell it, at least they did. I still have a bunch from when I was a kid and we'd go on vacation. I'm not want to make a real looking monetary coin at all. I don't want to use a harder like nickel in it either, so they def won't even look like a real coin. I will do some reasearch into making coins to see if it is illeagle.

 

[Doom's Day Custom]

well let me correct that

I am not sure if its illegal to make fake coins but that will be something to look up for legal issues.. well i know that with coin making there are laws on what size they can be and weight because if they use them in a illegal manner they will hold you liable ....

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

Well was thinking bigger than half dollar, no additives, just used ammo casings, no numbers on it at all. Just a picture and a phrase, won't look anywhere close to american money, albiet some cashiers I know aren't smart enough to know any difference....

 

[Captain Ledd]

It's not illegal to make coins at all. Do you have any idea how many metal tokens/souvineirs are out there?

What makes it illegal is this:

Having the same size and weight as legal currency (like using it in a vending machine)

Duplicates of legal currency.

Trying to pass it off as legal currency (like at a grocery store)


Otherwise, you'll be fine. I'd be sure to not make it look too much like a current U.S. legal coin just to be safe. Or put "not legal tender" on it somewhere.

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

Ok so anyone know how to make a die?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

you know its illegal to do this and the type of metal they used to make coins is called a metal clad because it uses explosives to weld dissimilar metal together and a fake coin is called a slug...

Did you wiki that or something?

Seriously, I thought it was somewhat clear that he was not trying to imitate our currency, but rather make something special when he said a "commemerative coin," those don't have to be real currency.

 

[smokey]

Are you going to use a press or a mold for the hot brass?

 

[Doom's Day Custom]

Did you wiki that or something?

Seriously, I thought it was somewhat clear that he was not trying to imitate our currency, but rather make something special when he said a "commemerative coin," those don't have to be real currency.

Thats why i corrected myself in the next post because it just click what i said like a dumbass...

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

was planning a mold of the proper thickness, a flat sheet and stamping out the slugs, then remelt the left over scrap. I'm just unsure of the die part... how to even begin on it.

 

[dennis461]

You need to reverse engrave a hardened steel die. Tricky job, my brother did it when working in the foundary at Philadelphia navy Yard.
but
If you want to produce any substantial quantities, you'll need something like this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/27-TON-JOHNSON-MODEL-27-F-AC-O-B-I-PUNCH-PRESS_W0QQitemZ170411879022QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27ad56ea6e

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

I run debt free, and don't have that saved so hand made they will have to be. they have been hand made for thousands of years, just can't find any info on how to do it.

 

[smokey]

Once you have once made you could do the wax mold method. That is how jewelry is made
for custom pieces.

 

[914Driver]

I work for the Department of the Army in weapons research. I'm a machinist, toolmaker, QC Inspector and now Materials Technician doing metallographic failure analysis (think CSI gun failure)

That said, every time some yay hoo with more than two stars comes for a visit he hands out "commemorative" coins. They usually have something on the front about his unit and some oorah gung ho lets get 'em motivation on the back. They're only illegal if you use then as legal tender, money.

These coins are forged, as Dennis461 said it ain't easy. Ever seen a die grinder? You know, that 100,000 rpm air motor used to port & polish your heads, it is meant to grind dies. Think of what a die has to do, lots and lots of pressure, extreme heat with accurate repatability. Why do you think the counterfeiters making paper money dies are paid so well?

I know I'm not much help, but it's possible more homework is needed before you jump on this. An accurate cast is much easier to make. Whittle out what you want, make a mold, fill the mold with hot metal and then polish it.


Dan