Here is a list of the most asked questions I get around the world of coin ring making.  If the answer to your question is not here, feel free to drop me a note or stop in Crown Trophy and talk to Jeff and his team!

Coin Ring Frequently Asked Questions



Q: Is it legal to deface or ruin a coin to make a ring?

A: The legal question comes up all the time, in regards to coins being transformed into a jewelry item.

Section 331 of Title 18 of the United States code provides criminal penalties for anyone who “fraudulently alters, defaces, mutilates impairs, diminishes, falsifies, scales, or lightens any of the coins coined at the Mints of the United States.” This statute means that you may be violating the law if you change the appearance of the coin and fraudulently represent it to be other than the altered coin that it is.  In other words, if I altered a Nickel and tried to pass it off as a $5 gold coin; that would be illegal.  Altering a coin for the sake of art or jewelry has been done for years and is not illegal.


Q: What are the ring sizes that can be made from common US coins?

A: When making any coin ring, the coin metal must be heated to a point where it becomes soft and malleable. This process is known as annealing. Then, as the coin is molded slightly, the molecular structure of the metal changes and the coin returns to the original hardness (work hardening). This requires the annealing step to be repeated, often many times during the ring making process.  Although the coin metal can be manipulated and molded this way - there is also a practical limit to the process. In order to maintain adequate detail and eye-appeal to the finished ring, each coin denomination has a general ring size range that it will accommodate. These are given below:



  • Quarters ... Size 4 - 11
  • Half Dollars ... Size 8 - 13
  • Small Dollars (Susan B. Anthony, Golden Dollars) ... Size 6 - 12
  • Large Dollars ... Size 7 - 16
  • Foreign coins use the approximate size of the U.S. coins above




Q. Can I get a ring made from my own coin?

A. Absolutely.  However, there are some limitations: size, type of metal, and design are all crucial.  Please send me a message with the coin you'd like to use to find out how well it will work and to get a quote.


Q: Will coin rings leave a mark on my finger?

A: It depends on the material the ring is made from and to a certain degree the chemicals in your own body. Bronze and copper coin rings will probably leave a mark on your finger, especially if you wear them while you wash your hands or in the shower. Some folks wear a bare piece of copper jewelry for the medicinal properties it is supposed to possess. Therefore, I do not coat any of my rings. However, if you don't want the bronze or copper rings to leave a mark; most folks apply a coat of clear fingernail polish to the ring.

Clad coins consisting of a copper center sandwiched between two thin layers of nickel (typically us coins minted after 1964), generally do not leave a mark; though some people may experience light marking.  Also, some folks may have a natural allergy to nickel and consequently should stick with silver or gold jewelry.

The 90% silver coin rings will typically not leave any sort of mark on your finger.


Q: How do find my ring size?


A: The most reliable way is to simply go to any jewelry or department store and have them measure the finger that you need sized.  Alternatively, if you are in the Fargo/Moorhead area I would recommend stopping by Crown Trophy to see all of my rings on display.  Jeff and his team would be happy to size your finger and help you select the perfect coin ring!  If it’s for a gift, don’t forget a custom ring box that can be personalized by Jeff and his team at Crown Trophy.  The most common size for ladies is 7 whereas a gentlemen's is 10.

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