How to put a hole in a coin without a drill: 3 Ways

Discovering how to put a hole in a coin without a drill can be a fascinating and practical skill, especially for crafters, hobbyists, or those looking for creative ways to repurpose currency. While drilling is the most common method for creating holes in metal, it’s not always accessible. Fortunately, there are several effective alternative techniques that leverage simple tools and a bit of ingenuity. The feasibility and difficulty of these methods will largely depend on the specific coin’s thickness and hardness, as noted by various online communities and experts like those on Reddit.

This comprehensive guide will explore three primary methods for how to put a hole in a coin without a drill, along with crucial safety tips, legal considerations, and advice on preserving the coin’s condition.

Understanding the Challenge: Coin Metallurgy

Before diving into the methods, it’s helpful to understand why putting a hole in a coin without a drill can be challenging. Coins are made from various metal alloys, each with different properties:

• Copper and Bronze: Softer metals, relatively easier to work with. Many older pennies or international coins fall into this category.
• Nickel and Cupronickel: Harder than copper, often used in dimes, quarters, and some international coins.
• Silver: Softer than nickel but harder than pure copper. Found in older US coinage.
• Steel/Manganese Brass Clad: Very hard, used in modern US dollar coins and some foreign currency.

The harder the metal, the more force and precision will be required to create a hole using non-drill methods.

Method 1: The Hammer and Nail Technique

The hammer and nail method is perhaps the most accessible and low-tech way to put a hole in a coin without a drill. It requires minimal tools but a good deal of patience and controlled force.

Tools You’ll Need:

• Small Tack Nail: A thin, sharp nail, preferably with a pointed tip. The smaller the desired hole, the thinner the nail should be.
• Hammer: A standard claw hammer or even a smaller tack hammer.
• Scrap Wood: A sturdy piece of wood (e.g., a 2×4, a cutting board, or a block of plywood) to protect your work surface and provide a stable backing for the coin. Avoid working directly on concrete or metal, as this can dull your nail, damage your hammer, or cause the coin to slip.
• Safety Glasses: Absolutely essential to protect your eyes from flying metal fragments or nail shards.
• Work Gloves (Optional but Recommended): To protect your hands from scrapes and provide a better grip.
• Sandpaper (Fine-grit): For finishing the hole.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Find a stable, flat surface. Place your scrap wood firmly on this surface. Ensure good lighting.

2. Position the Coin: Place the coin on the scrap wood. Carefully decide where you want the hole to be. For jewelry or buttons, a central or top-edge hole is common.

3. Initial Indent (Crucial Step):

* Hold the tack nail upright on the exact spot where you want the hole.

Lightly tap the head of the nail with your hammer a couple of times. The goal here is not* to punch through, but to create a small, shallow indent in the coin’s surface. This indent is vital because it prevents the nail from sliding off the smooth coin when you apply more force.

* Check that the indent is precisely where you want it. If not, you may be able to slightly adjust the nail’s position and create a new, deeper indent.

4. Gradual Punching:

* Once the indent is established, continue to strike the nail with the hammer.

* Increase the force of your blows gradually. Don’t try to punch through in one go. Instead, use a series of firm, controlled strikes.

* Maintain a firm grip on the nail, keeping it as vertical as possible. If the nail starts to bend, replace it with a new one.

* You’ll hear a distinct change in sound when the nail begins to penetrate the metal.

* Keep hammering until the nail completely breaks through the coin and into the scrap wood underneath.

5. Clean Up Burrs:

After the nail has passed through, you’ll likely find a raised, rough edge of metal on the back* side of the coin around the newly formed hole. These are called burrs.

* Use fine-grit sandpaper to carefully smooth down these burrs. Rub the sandpaper over the burred area in a circular motion until the surface is smooth and flat. This step is important for aesthetics and to prevent sharp edges.

* You can also use a small file for tougher burrs.

Tips for Success with Hammer and Nail:

• Patience is Key: This method takes time and repeated effort, especially for harder coins.
• Sharp Nail: A sharp, unworn nail will penetrate more easily.
• Stabilize: Ensure the coin doesn’t wobble or shift during hammering. You might use a vice or clamp for stability if available, being careful not to damage the coin’s face.
• Practice: If you have multiple coins, practice on a less valuable one first to get a feel for the required force.

Method 2: Using a Punch and Hammer

This method is similar to the hammer and nail technique but utilizes a specialized tool called a punch, which is designed for creating holes or indentations in metal. This can be more effective and create cleaner holes than a nail, especially for harder coins.

Tools You’ll Need:

• Sturdy Punch:

* Center Punch: These have a sharp, conical point and are excellent for creating an initial indent.

* Pin Punch: These have a cylindrical tip and are good for driving out material once a pilot hole is started.

* Hollow Punch (Leather Punch): If you can find one small enough, a hollow punch designed for leather can sometimes work on thinner, softer metals to create a very clean hole.

Ideally, use a hardened steel punch* designed for metalwork, as softer punches will deform.

• Hammer: A standard claw hammer or ball-peen hammer.
• Scrap Wood or Anvil: A sturdy backing surface. An anvil or a heavy steel block is ideal for metal punching, but scrap wood will suffice for most coins.
• Safety Glasses: Non-negotiable for eye protection.
• Work Gloves (Recommended): For grip and hand protection.
• Round File or Deburring Tool: To expand and clean up the hole.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Prepare Your Setup: Place your scrap wood or anvil on a stable workbench. Position the coin on the backing surface where you intend to make the hole.

2. Initial Indent (if using a pin punch): If using a pin punch that doesn’t have a sharp point, use a center punch first to create a small, guiding indent on the coin’s surface. This will prevent the pin punch from slipping.

3. Position the Punch: Place the tip of your chosen punch directly on the desired spot for the hole. Hold the punch firmly and vertically.

4. Strike with Hammer: Strike the head of the punch with your hammer.

* Start with moderate force and increase it with subsequent blows.

* The goal is to drive the punch through the coin’s metal.

* For thicker or harder coins, it may take multiple forceful strikes.

You may hear a distinct thud* as the punch begins to break through.

5. Remove the Slug (if applicable): If using a hollow punch, a small metal “slug” (the punched-out piece) should come free. With solid punches, the punch will simply create a hole.

6. Expand and Deburr the Hole:

* Once the initial hole is made, it might be smaller than desired or have rough edges.

* Use a small round file to carefully expand the hole to the desired size. Rotate the file within the hole, applying even pressure.

* Use the file or a deburring tool to smooth out any burrs or sharp edges on both sides of the coin.

Tips for Success with Punch and Hammer:

• Sharp Punch: A punch with a sharp, well-maintained tip will work more efficiently.
• Solid Backing: A very solid, unyielding surface like an anvil will transfer force more effectively than wood, making the process easier for harder coins.
• Steady Hand: Keep the punch as straight as possible to ensure a clean, round hole.
• Lubrication (Optional): For very hard metals, a small drop of cutting oil on the punch tip can sometimes aid penetration, reducing friction and heat.

Method 3: Metal Hole Punch Pliers

For certain types of coins, particularly thinner or softer ones, specialized metal hole punch pliers can offer the cleanest and easiest solution for how to put a hole in a coin without a drill. These tools operate similarly to a paper hole punch but are designed with stronger jaws and cutting mechanisms for metal.

Tools You’ll Need:

• Metal Hole Punch Pliers: These come in various sizes and designs.

* Jewelry Hole Punch Pliers: Often used for thin sheet metal, charms, or flattened pennies.

* Leather Hole Punch Pliers (Rotary): Some heavy-duty leather punches can work on very thin, soft metals.

* Specialized Metal Punches: Look for hand-held punches specifically rated for thin gauge metal.

• Safety Glasses: Always recommended when working with metal.

Ideal Candidates for Metal Hole Punch Pliers:

• Flattened Pennies: These are copper and have been thinned out, making them ideal for this method.
• Very Thin Aluminum or Copper Coins: Some international coins might be thin enough.
• Foil or Very Thin Sheet Metal: While not coins, these tools excel here.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Select the Right Pliers: Ensure your metal hole punch pliers are designed for the thickness and type of metal of your coin. Trying to punch too thick or hard a coin can damage the pliers.

2. Position the Coin: Open the jaws of the pliers and carefully insert the coin, aligning the desired hole location with the punch mechanism.

3. Secure and Punch:

* Hold the coin firmly within the pliers.

* With a strong, steady squeeze, press the handles of the pliers together.

* You should feel the punch mechanism cut through the coin.

4. Inspect and Deburr:

* Once punched, release the pliers. The hole should be relatively clean.

* Check for any small burrs around the edge of the hole. Use a small file or sandpaper to smooth them if necessary.

Tips for Success with Metal Hole Punch Pliers:

• Know Your Tool’s Limits: Do not attempt to punch coins that are too thick or hard for your specific pliers, as this will damage the tool.
• Clean Jaws: Keep the punching mechanism clean to ensure a smooth cut.
• Practice: If possible, try on a similar piece of scrap metal first to get a feel for the force required.

Important Considerations When Altering Coins

Regardless of how you choose to put a hole in a coin without a drill, there are several critical factors to keep in mind:

1. Safety First!

Working with hammers, sharp nails, punches, and metal objects carries inherent risks.

• Eye Protection: Always wear safety glasses or goggles. Small metal fragments can fly off during hammering or punching, causing serious eye injuries.
• Hand Protection: Wear work gloves to protect your hands from scrapes, pinches, and potential blisters.
• Stable Work Surface: Ensure your coin and backing material are stable and won’t slip during the process.
• Proper Grip: Hold tools firmly and correctly to prevent accidents.
• Ventilation: If using any lubricants or chemicals, ensure adequate ventilation.

2. Legality of Altering Coins

This is a frequently asked question, especially concerning US currency.

• US Law (18 U.S. Code § 331): This statute generally prohibits the fraudulent alteration, mutilation, or diminishing of US coinage with intent to defraud.
• No Intent to Defraud: If you are altering a coin for a personal craft project, jewelry, or educational purposes, without any intent to pass it off as something it’s not or to devalue it for monetary gain, you are generally not violating this law. The key phrase is “with intent to defraud.”
• Examples of Legal Alteration: Creating “pressed pennies” at tourist attractions, making coin jewelry, or using coins in art projects are widely accepted and not prosecuted.
• Consult Legal Counsel: If you have specific concerns about a large-scale project or commercial venture involving altered coins, it’s always wise to consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance. For most hobbyists, however, the risk is minimal.

3. Coin Condition and Value

Punching a hole in a coin without a drill will inevitably alter its physical condition and, in most cases, destroy its numismatic (collector) value.

• Collector Value: Rare or old coins, or those in pristine condition, can be worth far more than their face value to collectors. Punching a hole in such a coin will render it valueless to a collector.
• Aesthetics: The process can scratch, dent, or deform the coin beyond just the hole, especially if not done carefully.
• Choose Wisely: Select common, low-value coins for your projects. Pennies, dimes, and quarters are typically good candidates. Avoid coins with historical significance or those that might have sentimental value.

Conclusion

Knowing how to put a hole in a coin without a drill opens up a world of creative possibilities, from crafting unique jewelry and keychains to creating custom buttons or decorative items. While the process requires patience, the right tools, and a focus on safety, it’s a skill easily mastered. Whether you opt for the simplicity of a hammer and nail, the precision of a punch, or the convenience of metal hole punch pliers, remember to choose your coin wisely, prioritize safety, and always be mindful of legal considerations. With these methods, you can transform ordinary coins into extraordinary pieces of art or utility, all without needing a power drill.