Due to the popularity of debit cards, people never seem to have cash on them nowadays. But coins? For some reason, they’re omnipresent. Just shake out your purse, check a couch cushion, or put your hand in your pocket — one’s always bound to pop up. I bet if there’s an apocalypse, all that will be left of our world will be cockroaches and nickels.
So, what to do with all these coins? A lot of people like to save their pocket change in a water cooler or a large Mason jar, and cash in big once it fills up. Others, however, take a more creative approach: They make really cool things out of them, like this father and daughter who tiled their floor with pennies.
Yet, bedazzling floors isn’t the only think-outside-of-the-piggy-bank approach people have come up with in order to utilize an over abundance of coins. In fact, with just a few basic tools, you can create something truly amazing with just a quarter. That’s right, for a mere 25 cents (plus the cost of tools) you can make something that will stun everyone who sees it.
The best part? It’s pretty easy. We've broken the steps down for you, but if you plan to do this at home, you should watch the detailed instructions in the tutorial video below as well.
First, he took a quarter. If you attempt this yourself, we recommend opting for one that has a significant year or your home state on it.
The materials he used were a punch and die set, a sand block, a hammer, and a thick, 3/4-inch PVC pipe.
The most important tool he used, which you might need to procure for yourself, was a jewelers’ mandrel.
You can buy one on Amazon here.
He then took a 1/2-inch die (or punch) and put it on the outside of the coin, eyed it, and then traced the outline for a hole. If you try this, keep in mind what you see around the die will be on the outside of your creation, so make sure it has everything you want.
Then he punched a hole through with a hammer.
It’s apparently much easier to get a hole in the coin this way than by drilling it out.
Next, he put the PVC pipe over the mandrel, the part he liked best was on top.
Using PVC pipe, he used the mandrel to mold the coin into the shape of a ring. For more detailed instructions, check out the video below.
He polished it and — ta-da! — a lovely ring made out of a quarter!
You can also make them with silver dollars.
You can create one with a rare coin as well, like this 1853 Seated Liberty half dollar with rays and arrows.
Whatever your preference is, make sure that the coin is special to you.
Of course, if you make it yourself, it’s sure to have special significance.
Please SHARE this incredible idea with everyone you know, because — who knows — maybe someone handy you know will see it and make one for you!
