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How to Make a Half Dollar Silver Coin Ring

Half dollars minted before 1964 have a 90 percent silver content, making them malleable and able to be crafted into jewelry. Because half-dollars are large coins, the rings can be made from them are best suited for larger fingers. You can somewhat control the sizing by making the ring's band wider for a smaller size or narrower for a larger size, as well as making the hole drilled into the center of the coin somewhat larger or smaller.

Things You'll Need

Safety glasses
Steel block
Small hammer
Vice grip
Heavy tape
Electric drill
Rotary drill
Cutting bit
Sanding disc
Soft cloth
Metal polish

Instructions

- 1
  Put on safety glasses to protect your eyes throughout the project.
- 2
  Hold the silver half dollar on its side on top of the steel block. Gently tap around the outside of the coin to bend the edges down perpendicular to the middle of the coin. Continue tapping until the edges are evenly formed around the entire coin.
- 3
  Wrap the heavy tape around the holding sections of the vice grip. Place the coin inside the vice with the center facing outward and tighten the grip.
- 4
  Use the electric drill to drill a hole into the center of the coin.
- 5
  Attach the cutting bit to the rotary drill. Run the rotary drill around the center hole to widen the opening. Continue widening until the hole reaches the edges of the ring.
- 6
  Remove the cutting bit and attach a sanding disc to the rotary drill. Run the drill around the inside of the ring to smooth the inner edges.
- 7
  Remove the ring from the vice grip. Use the soft cloth to wipe down the inside and outside of the ring.

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