Make your own coins…..

Overview

Begin your activity by researching real archaeological examples of coins from across the world. Then you will be ready to create your own clay coins to paint and take home. You might study a specific culture or time period, for example Roman or Greek coins, or maybe you are doing a special coin-themed session.

Background

The first coins in the archaeological record date back to more than 600BC. The designs and shapes found on coins are diverse and they can be very useful dating tools. The study of coins is known as numismatics, and those who study it are numismatists.

Instructions

Stoke on Trent YAC

Adult supervision is not required for this activity.

Type of Activity : Crafting

How many people required (minimum) : 1

Safety Measures : You may want to wear gloves, as the clay can get messy

Ages : All ages

Time Required: 1 Hour, but scalable

Step 1

Have a look at examples of archaeological coinage online. You might want to photograph or draw your favourite designs or patterns.

Step 2

Roll out the clay on your mat until it is around 1cm thick. Use a plastic bottle cap or circle cutter to cut out small circles – these will make your coins. If you’d like your coin to have a milled edge, as with many modern coins, rolling the edge of a bottle top around the coin edge achieves a similar effect.

Step 3

Roll out the clay on your mat until it is around 1cm thick. Use a plastic bottle cap or circle cutter to cut out small circles – these will make your coins. If you’d like your coin to have a milled edge, as with many modern coins, rolling the edge of a bottle top around the coin edge achieves a similar effect.

Step 4

(Additional image from step 3).

Step 5

Once your designs are finished the coins can be painted with gold or silver craft paint.

Step 6

Discuss your designs with the group. What have you chosen to put on your coin, and why? Much later, when the clay and paint have dried, you could wash your coin in very watered-down black or brown paint. This will help your design stand out and give it an aged/dirty look.