Coin photographs by The Cut Coin Store. To see better photos of U.S. Quarters, and
other shrunk coins, click on any photo above to open new browser window
The story of the incredible Shrinking Quarter is a fascinating one, (not to mention a fun physic's lesson). We all remember the movie title, "Honey, I shrunk the kids." This might be called, "Honey, I shrunk the Money." We'll it is not quite the same, read on.
You'll want to get your own "Shrunk Coin" today. You'll not only have a fun coin to show friends, but you get a free science lesson from the coin's creator on how he does this.
How can a genuine U.S. State Quarter -- or any coin -- become a dime? Well, it actually does not become a dime, but using strong electromagnetic forces applied to the coin's circumference, an invisible powerful shock wave acts like a "hammer" all around the coin's edges, forming the metal faster than a blink of the eye; in fact much faster. The quarter can be "shrunk" to the diameter of a dime, or nickel, depending on the force applied. A half-dollar can be shrunk to a quarter. A The creator has creatively named this technique as, "electromagical," even though there is no magic involved. He also refers to himself as a "mad scientist," but I'll refer to him as a "coin artist." It is just amazing.
As I understand the physics, when a set of high-voltage capacitors is caused to discharge it's stored energy into a insulated wire coil that encircles the coin's circumference, this force works in opposition to the current that has entered the coin, and these opposing forces are stronger than the metals' ability to maintain it's shape. The coin is literally "crushed" from all angles, reducing the diameter, and expanding the thickness. The creator states the entire metal forming process occurs in a few-millionths of a second, accompanied by a bright flash, and loud explosion as a result of the coil being destroyed during the process. (The coil that circles the coin literally explodes during the process, sending pieces of copper shrapnel in all directions faster than a speeding bullet. The entire process is created behind blast sheiled made of bullet-proof glass in a machine aptly named the "Quarter Shrinker.")
The result is a coin that looks like this U.S. Presidential Dollar (smaller than a nickle) and the U.S. Kennedy Half Dollar (smaller than a quarter) shown here:
Coin photographs by The Cut Coin Store. To see better photos of U.S. Quarters, and
other shrunk coins, click on any photo above to open new browser window
As you can see, the design is not lost on most coins, retaining the original features -- with a little compression to the features. The coin does not lose any of it's weight or density. They "puff up" and become thicker. Every coin is a little different.
See, the weights are virtually the same.
Click here to see if your Small State Quarter is available now.
The coin's creator includes a full explanation with each purchase, and how you can learn more on this technique. His explanation is very clear, even to a non-scientific person.
We have all see coin-cutting -- the art of cutting out a coin to create beautiful piece of jewelry -- such as those in The Cut Coin Store on ebay. In the U.S. it is not if violation of law to cause a coin to be "defaced," provided the defacing is not done with fraudulent intent. In the case of "shrunken coins" one may say this applies to this art too. The altering of the coin is not intended to be done with any fraudulent intent. The coin is removed from circulation, and a value is added to the coin -- educational explanation of electromechanical forces (physics lesson), jewelry (buttons or necklace), or even for a novelty or museum piece. It is not intended to enter circulation ever again. In fact, if a user attempts to spend it, the act might be considered a violation of Section 331, Chapter 17, Title 18, U.S. Code. But just creating and possessing the "defaced" coins does not appear to be a violation. You can read here more about the legality of coin cutting.
A limited number of these pieces are usually available directly from the 'coin shrinker' on eBay. He is the only one the offers these shrunken coins and quarters online with such a fine selection that I've located. He ships fast, and each coin creation is accompanied by a explanation on how he does it. It is fascinating, fun, and a must-have for every coin collector.
Get a Shrunken-Quarter today made from your state quarter, then, watch his offers and try bid on the new small dollar made smaller. The Statute of Liberty design and presidents' busts are even smaller that the small coin. You'll be fascinated.
This self-described 'mad scientist' also creates
Beautiful "Captured Lightning" sculptures called "Lichtenberg Figures."
New to ebay? New to ebay?