The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 47, November 5, 2005, Article 26

MORE UNUSUAL USES OF COINS

Doug Andrews writes: "I can contribute two off-beat uses
for coins. One of the best known is a bride putting a
copper coin (these days, likely a bronze- or copper-plated
steel or zinc coin) in her shoe on her wedding day for good
luck.

The second use, with somewhat more serious potential
consequences, is one that I learned in my profession
unfortunately. It involves removing a blown electrical fuse
in the days before circuit breakers came into wide use, and
dropping a nickel into the socket before screwing the fuse
back in. This is an old trick to keep the electricity flowing
when a replacement fuse isn't handy. It also is a sure-fire,
fool-proof method (pun intended) of burning down your building.

By the way, did I mention that I am an insurance adjuster?"

Don Cleveland writes: "I have seen, and used myself, coins
with holes in them for emergency washers. In Papua New Guinea
I once used a one Kina coin for a fishing weight. Of course,
there is bride price in which a large number of Kina coins
are strung on a leather strip and offered to the bride's father.
I'm sure most readers have used a small coin, such as a dime,
for a screw driver. And, last, coins for decoration. I have
a shepherd's staff with a wooden handle wrapped in felt and
covered with coins, the latest dated 1876. The coins are held
in place by tiny bent nails. None penetrate the coins. Sounds
good, until the coins are examined and each is bent to fit
the curve of the round staff. At least half the coins are
ancient Roman copper. Most of the rest are 19th century,
although there are also a couple of 18th century on the staff.
Luckily, none appear, even now days, to have any real value.
I got the staff in Tunisia about 30 years ago. I suspect,
however, it may have originated in France."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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