# Why do Pirates bite coins they are given? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 26, 2002, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108 "2002-06-26T21:32:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![txvepr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e274bd/32.png) [@txvepr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txvepr)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/1 "2002-06-26T21:32:39Z")
Why do Pirates bite coins? What are they checking for? Taste? Bending? Impression? ---
**Author:** ![sengle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@sengle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sengle)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/2 "2002-06-26T21:40:43Z")
Arrg! Me guess is that they be testing for counterfeits, matey. For example, a very pure gold piece would have more give to it. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/3 "2002-06-26T21:40:52Z")
To test whether they’re gold. Gold is soft and can be dented easily. ---
**Author:** ![Swede\_Hollow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Swede\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swede_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/4 "2002-06-26T21:43:22Z")
They are looking at how soft the metal is. Gold is a very soft, pliable metal that would readily show bite marks. Other gold-colored metals (or a gold alloy) would be much harder. The proper way to see if something was real gold back then would be to use a touch stone. Then the metal would be tested for how GOOD the gold is (how pure, based on the color of the scratch mark). The biting of a coin as a test is more Hollywood than anything since the person would have to have intimate knowledge of how gold would indent versus any other type of metal. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/5 "2002-06-26T22:07:08Z")
to make sure that they aren’t one of those chocolate coins that you can buy at the drug store. ayyyyy matey, pirates hate chocolate! ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/6 "2002-06-26T22:21:25Z")
It was not uncommon in those days for unscrupulous counterfeiters (is there any other kind?) to cast a lead coin and coat it with a thin layer gold thus taking in unsuspecting individuals. If one bit into the coin and it gave the coin was “as good as gold”. It was a quite common practice at the time to bite coins and not only pirates but merchants, members of the church and government officials did likewise. Those with scales would weigh the coins and those with solid flooring would drop the coins and listen to the ring as opposed to the thud of the lead coin but biting was a very common method. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/7 "2002-06-29T04:09:57Z")
> [@](#): > > It was a quite common practice at the time to bite coins and not only pirates but merchants, members of the church and government officials did likewise. Those with scales would weigh the coins and those with solid flooring would drop the coins and listen to the ring as opposed to the thud of the lead coin but biting was a very common method. Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/8 "2002-06-29T04:12:14Z")
Hell, I’ve seen it done in one of Charlie Chaplin’s movies. ---
**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/9 "2002-06-29T05:12:11Z")
This is tough to track down. The only cite I found for biting, from [this page](http://department.monm.edu/history/urban/articles/COINS.htm) : > [@](#): > > The public protected itself against short weight (and clipping the edges of coins) by using small scales (which archeologists have found in many graves),but it was more difficult to determine the silver content (the usual test was to bite the coin). And [this site](http://www.elot.gr/profile/presfsum.html) mentions scales and the sound a real coin would make: > [@](#): > > Alternatively there is the possibility that testing was carried out by experienced testers simply by looking, touching and listening carefully to the ‘sound’ of coins. Indeed some contemporary testers practise the ‘sight, touch and hearing’ method and suggest that their ancient predecessors could be doing the same. The first step involves careful observation of the coin, then they touch it with their sensitive fingers, they feel the weight when keeping it in their fist, and finally they let it drop on a hard surface and hear its ringing sound. I wonder if people used to tap the coin against their teeth and this has changed into a seeming UL of biting it? ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/10 "2002-06-29T06:07:40Z")
I agree with the others - to see what kind of metal they arrrrrr. ---
**Author:** ![Linear\_Crack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Linear\_Crack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linear_Crack)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/11 "2002-06-29T07:19:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by interface2x \* > \*\*I agree with the others - to see what kind of metal they arrrrrr. \*\* Shiver me Timbers! That comment almost made me Poop…Deck. And before anyone starts a separate thread about what the origin of Shiver me Timbers is: ## [Shiver me Timbers](http://www.inkyfingers.com/pyrates/terms/) - This term was used to express shock or surprise. The idea of timbers shivering comes from the vibration set up in the mast (timbers) by either running aground or a solid hit from a larger gun. The suggestion is that something has shaken the speaker from a state of less awareness. ;j ;j ;j ;j I\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_/ ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/12 "2002-06-29T07:21:47Z")
So do we regularly find doubloons with people’s teeth marks on them? If I were a forensic guy, I’d try to match those teeth marks with pirate skulls. It’s a long shot, but if I pulled it off it would be a Discover show, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/14 "2017-04-21T11:05:04Z")
Do zombie pirates bite only blonds? ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/16 "2017-04-21T12:12:58Z")
You had to take great care then with coins to ensure you weren’t being given a counterfeit coin or one that had been either [clipped, sweated or plugged.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methods_of_coin_debasement) Nowadays of course, as precious metals are rarely used in coins, it’s the notes we have to watch. But I speak as a layman, **samclem** is the go-to guy on the board for all things numismatic. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/17 "2017-04-21T12:17:12Z")
So pirates have always favored bit coins? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/18 "2017-04-21T12:28:25Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > So pirates have always favored bit coins? That made reviving this zombie well worth it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/19 "2017-04-21T13:24:21Z")
**Moderator Note** Thread revived by a spammer who has since been disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/20 "2017-04-21T14:36:26Z")
I had a relative who was an aspiring artist, and one toy he had to play with was gold leaf. Gold can be hammered pretty darn thin; rub it on anything and it sticks nicely and adopts the shape. Baroque mansions and pottery often had gold leaf trimmings, as does the excessive accoutrements of some current presidents. IIRC, he had a few square feet of the stuff, back then, worth only $40. It would be an easy trick to make a lead coin and coat it with gold leaf, producing a heavy, soft coin at only a fraction of the cost of a solid gold one. Biting in this case would make small dents (from the latin for teeth?) that go through the gold and into the lead, thus exposing the color of the real lead core. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/21 "2017-04-21T15:02:07Z")
> [@TV\_time](#): > > It was not uncommon in those days for unscrupulous counterfeiters (is there any other kind?) to cast a lead coin and coat it with a thin layer gold thus taking in unsuspecting individuals. If one bit into the coin and it gave the coin was “as good as gold”. > > It was a quite common practice at the time to bite coins and not only pirates but merchants, members of the church and government officials did likewise. Those with scales would weigh the coins and those with solid flooring would drop the coins and listen to the ring as opposed to the thud of the lead coin but biting was a very common method. biting lead coins. What could go wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108/22 "2017-04-21T15:11:25Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > IIRC, he had a few square feet of the stuff, back then, worth only $40. That made me wonder how much gold leaf weighed. [This site](http://www.gildedplanet.com/gildingbasics.html) says around 18 to 23 grams per 1,000 leaves, with each leaf being 3.375 inches square. So one troy ounce (31.1035 grams per) of gold would make in the range of 1,500 sheets, or around 120 square feet. At today’s gold prices, that would be less than 4 square feet. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pirates-bite-coins-they-are-given/116108.md?page=2)