Double sided coin rings

[jesse13579]

Hey guys and gals.  I'm newly registered, but I've been lurking around for a while and soaking up some knowledge.  This is a great site full of tons of info.  I've been making rings and other things for a while now.  I mostly do silver rings made from coins, spoons, and forks.  I recently stumbled onto some rings that were made from coins but not the way I usually make them.   

What I've done in the past is take a silver coin (quarter for smaller fingers and 1/2 to dollar for larger fingers) and hammered around the edges to make a smooth edge and then cut the center out and polished.  These rings are basically silver band rings with the year and in God we trust on the inside.

The other rings are completely different.  Form what I've done and tried the best way to make them seems to be anneal the coin first.  Then either cut or stamp out the center of the coin.  Anneal again and then place it on your mandrel and hammer the edge toward you flattening out the coin.  Then anneal again and flip the coin over and hammer the edge flat.  The problem I have is that I can never get rid of the convex shape.  No matter what I do the ring ends up larger on one side than the other.  All the rings I find online are smooth and even.  Any suggestions or help.  I've heard of a way to make these using a press and bearings, but I can't seem to figure that out.  Any input would greatly be appreciated.  I'm not trying to make these to mass produce or anything.  I would just like to make a couple as keepsakes for my friends and family.  Thanks again for any help you can give me.   

Here is a picture of a finished coin ring.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpiritualFlyer 

[RitaD]

I haven't tried to make these myself, but perhaps using a stepped mandrel, such as
http://shop.rings-things.com/cart/pc/Tool-Stepped-Ring-Mandrel-3651p26565.htm
would help make the inside more consistent. 

I like the idea of these.  I recently read an article in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist (I think) that showed how to turn flat washers into rings like this.  It may have had some additional tips. 

[Polly]

Those are very cool looking.
I've seen lots of cut-out quarters and silver dollars made into pendants over the years (nice eagle pendants, or other design elements from the coins), but I've never seen rings like those.

I think Rita is right - that the stepped ring mandrel is the solution to the taper issue.

--Polly

[jesse13579]

Thanks for the input.  I'll pick one up and give it a try. 

[kaycee]

These rings look trendy, thanks for the display, I want to have one very soon. 

[Judd]

Nice looking rings.  I have made a few in my time.  Theses are made out of replica gold coins and are gold plated.
Cool.....  http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/TheCoinSmith/Golden_Rings.jpg