Some countries have strict laws around the destruction or alteration of issued currency, but then again, some countries don’t. Citizens of those in the latter category may enjoy undertaking a build similar to this locket created by [Elier Olivos], crafted from a large coin.
A compass is first used to mark out a line on the coin’s perimeter, before it is cut in half with a fret saw. Once the two halves of the coin are smoothed out, it’s then time to heat them and quench them so they’re more malleable for pounding into a slightly domed shape. Metal rings are then fabricated and added to each half to give the locket some depth.
A hinge is then carefully made and fixed into the edges of the coin halves, giving the closed coin an almost seamless outside appearance. A small latch installed on the inside helps hold the locket closed. The final touches are to attach a loop for affixing the locket to a chain for the wearer, and to polish the inside of the locket up to a mirror shine.
[Elier] makes the build look easy through a combination of his amazing skills with his hands and the help of a some esoteric tooling. It can be very relaxing to take in a video of a master at work, and we’ve seen some great examples recently. Video after the break.
Amazing craftsmanship.
Impressive. Lot of skilled craftsmanship being shown off there.
That’s not a compass. It’s a pair of dividers.
Having nowhere near the same skill level, I’d have used 2 coins!
Same here, freehand sawing the coin in half was very impressive.
Totally agree. Use two coins and use a router to provide inside relief for the photo. No need to hammer a dome and no need for rings.
Stunning work! Really interesting to see the process of making that invisible hinge.
These are not coins, but “tourist tokens”. All of them cost 2€ but that’s not their value : They are worth less or more depending on where you get them since you can only get them in dispensers located in various places.
This man is good does he teach classes in this