Quarters’ ridged edges (reeds) aren’t decorative but a centuries-old

anti-fraud measure. In the 17th century coin clipping—shaving silver

from edges—was common; clipped coins looked intact but lost metal,

threatening economies. Sir Isaac Newton, Warden of the Royal Mint in 1696,

introduced reeded edges so shaving would be obvious: clipped

coins show broken grooves. Newton even prosecuted counterfeiters,

restoring trust in currency. Today dimes, quarters, and

half-dollars retain reeded edges despite no longer being silver,

serving three purposes: security (ridges are hard to replicate

and let banks and vending machines detect fakes via edge sensors),

accessibility (tactile differences help visually impaired

people distinguish denominations), and tradition/consistency

(ridged coins preserve familiar sound, feel, and handling).

Pennies and nickels are smooth because they historically

lacked precious metal, so clipping wasn’t an issue.

Yet reeding survives as a nod to history and practical design.

These ridges also help machines and people quickly recognize denominations in low-light or noisy settings,

preserving usability even as currency evolves toward digital forms,

and tactile reassurance. Next time you run your thumb along a coin’s edge,

you’re feeling 300 years of anti-fraud innovation, accessibility

thinking, and monetary tradition packed into your pocket.