1858 half dime, missing edge reeding

[KurtS]

Here's an interesting 1858 half dime I found at a friend's shop that's apparently missing the reeding on the edge.

First a few specs on this coin:
Weight: 1.17gr (scale accuracy +/- .03gr) Normal: around 1.2gr
Diameter: 15.3mm, Normal: 15.5mm

So we're wondering if the small difference in weight and size can account for the missing reeding.
Despite some damage on the corners of the coin (see pic below), I could not find any signs of abrasion or reeding traces under my scopes under various lighting angles.
There is even toning consistent to other areas of the coin.

In fact, one interesting detail are many raised bumps along the surface of the rim, as pointed out below.
If the reading were ground off, would bumps like that remain--and were those gouges in the collar?

The pic shows some damage to the coin edges, causing that raised lip:



Here's the obverse/reverse of this coin showing the damage around the rim, such as the mushy denticles and wire rim.
It almost looks like the coin was put in some kind of holder--but would that erase all the reeding? Any ideas?

[eagames]

If it was skimmed off I'd expect no bumps on the rim.

Isn't the main reason for reeding to stop people from skimming the edge to swipe silver/gold?
(the coins with reeding are mostly designs that were silver/gold)

Many old dimes are so thin, I wonder if they were somehow skimming off the obv/rev or it was realy honest wear.

[KurtS]

Skimming...that makes sense, although putting it under the scope again,
I see some odd contrasts, such as that raised edge is a slightly different color than the metal between.
There's something odd about the edge metal, as if it's lifting off from the surface.
At this point, I suspect the coin rim was flattened a little and silver solder was worked into the rim with the raised lip acting as a boundary.

[Dick]

There is always the possibility of it havinf been placed in a silver ring holder, like the dollar, and crowns were domne. It might have been someones birthday, or some other significant date.
Dick

[KurtS]

Dick,
I agree--a jeweler or other expert in metalworking did quite a bit of work on this one. It had me fooled at first glance. However, I don't know why somebody would work on the edge that carefully if it would be mounted in jewelry, as a bezel usually covers this area.

[Dick]

Kurt, that answer is easy: The one who would do, or have it, had a very loving heart, and wanted to give something very special to someone else. The sad part is, when that person has passed on to better things, the material things remain. The one who received it first, could barely remember that person, or p[ossibly never knew them at all. "What do I want with this "doo-dad" around the coin" It won't go into a machine. Stores won't accept it with a bezel, so get rid of the bezel" That is likely what you have found, and whoever it belonged to, and the one who had it done, and gave it as a gift of love, will remember you, as the one who cared enough to take it home with you.
Dickdone

[KurtS]

Dick, those are higher thoughts than mine . I was just thinking somebody was trying to manufacture a plain-edge "pattern" coin.

[eagames]

I get that same feeling Dick mentioned whenever I see something that once was someones "treasure". I wonder about it's story.

Dick, I sent you a PM with a coins story.
It's too much of a story for the forum but you'll enjoy it.

[Dick]

Ed, thank you! I just got back to the forum. I have been "gadding-around", and reading some very interesting material. I'll check the PM.
Dick

[CoinboyJay]

I think a coins "story" is part of the attraction for a lot of collectors. Some of my early copper just gets held in my hand once in a while as I wonder if maybe General Washington himself might have spent this exact coin in the beginning of that coins "story".
Cheers,
JAY

[Dick]

I don't have to worry about that, as none of my coins are that old. I do have one of each type coin, except the gold coins, and the four-bit pieces, and dollars, which were given to me by my dad. They are in a "book-bank, that is much older than I. He would be 109, in March. He lived beyond his 83rd birthday, but was not aware of things. He had a massive stroke, on the right side, on the 5th of March, 1983. He lived, in a vegetative state until the 16th. His birthday was the 8th of March. I just had my 83rd birthday, Halloe'en. I am very lucky to be in full physical shape, for my age, and in a lot better looking condition, than a lot of "kids", 15-20 years younger! my wife will be 80, the 23rd of June, 2009. She looks 25 years younger! she is on NO MEDICATIONS, hasn't been since her bout with cancer in '72. The DR's are amazed at her. (Everytime I go to sign off, I have to check to see how I spelled my name. I have never seen so many ways to simply spell D I C K! I'll not proof-read wor a while. You won't believe it either!
Dick