How They're Made
How they're Made
Select a Coin
The first step in fabricating a coin ring is to select a coin in ideal condition, i.e. no wear, scratches or flaws. Starting with a worn coin will severely affect the ring outcome. Precious metal coins such as gold and silver are ideal for ring fabrication, particularly pure or nearly pure. Success is high with these metals because of the predictability in handling.
Non-precious metals with alloys of steel, lead, copper or zinc react unpredictable and much more difficult to fabricate.
Pictured here is a 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar with a silver content of 90%. This particular coin is ideal because of its excellent condition and high silver content.
How They're Made
Punch the Coin
Once the coin is selected, a hole is punched in the exact center. The size of the hole dictates the width of the finished ring.
How They're Made
Punch the Coin
Punches come in various sizes and diameters.
How They're Made
Heat the Coin
The punched coin is heated to a very temperature and annealed in a cold water bath.
How they're Made
The Annealing Process
The annealing process softens the metal, allowing the coin to be manipulated and worked.
How They're Made
Fold the Coin
A One Ton press places an initial fold in the coin.
How They're Made
Die and Finish Folding
Depending on the diameter of the coin, an appropriate die is selected. A Six Ton press finishes the folding process using the selected die. The folded coin is once again annealed and softened.
How They're Made
Stretch the Ring
The folded coin is then placed on a ring stretcher and stretched close to the final ring size.
How They're Made
Wrap the Ring
The coin/ring is wrapped with a special silicone tape. The wrapped coin preserves the detail of the coin.
How They're Made
Finalize the Size
The wrapped coin is placed in an appropriate sizing ring and pressed to its final size using the Six Ton Press. The final ring size is “fine tuned” on the ring stretcher.
How They're Made
Complete the Finish
Ultra fine sand paper, steel wool, needle files, polishing compounds, rag wheels, rubber points place a finish on the completed ring
How They're Made
The Finished Ring
Completed 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar ring with matte and patina finish.