# Pearl circle

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{{Short description|Beaded pattern used on coins}}
[[File:Aureus-COctavius-36vChr.JPG|thumb|Roman ''[Aureus](/source/Aureus)'' (36 BC AD Z.) with incompletely embossed pearl circle]]
[[File:EnriqueIV cuartillo Jaen.jpg|thumb|Castilian ''[Maravedi](/source/Maravedi)'' (c 1475) with [bead and reel](/source/bead_and_reel)]]
A '''pearl circle''' (also pearl rim or pearl ring; French ''grènetis'', German ''Perlkreis'', ''Perlrand'', ''Perlreif'') is a circular arrangement of fine, raised points or "pearls" on the [edge](/source/coin_edge) of [coin](/source/coin)s;<ref name=Reppa/> it also sometimes appears in round or oval frames. It can be considered a relative or subsidiary form of the [bead and reel](/source/bead_and_reel) motif.

== Shape ==
If there is a pearl circle or a [string of pearls](/source/Pearls) on coins, it usually encloses the entire coin design. The pearl circle can be on one or both sides of a coin.<ref name=Reppa>[https://www.reppa.de/lexikon/perlkreis ''Perlkreis''] at reppa.de. Retrieved 5 July 2022.</ref> In addition to a simple beaded wreath, there are also double or multiple beaded circles. There are also variants that do not have circular beads or that show an alternating pattern of beads and other simple geometric figures.

== Function ==
Pearl circles (later also small edge bars) were not only decorative, but they also served to protect the coin from forgeries and [coin clipping](/source/coin_clipping)<ref name=Reppa/> and thus from depreciation.

== History ==
The pearl circle appeared as early as the Greek coins of [antiquity](/source/Ancient_history). It is widespread on [Roman coin](/source/Roman_coin)s from both Republican and Imperial times. Byzantine coins also often have a pearl circle.<ref name=Reppa/>

From the 19th century onwards, the introduction of [close collar minting](/source/close_collar_minting) made it possible to emboss a raised rim slightly overhanging the coin design. This [edge bar](/source/edge_bar) often ends inwards with a beaded circle. The [German Coinage Act](/source/German_Coinage_Act) of 9 July 1873 stipulated that [silver coin](/source/silver_coin)s of the [German Empire](/source/German_Empire) had to have a pearl circle.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Literature ==
*von Schrötter, Friedrich, ed. (1930): ''Wörterbuch der Münzkunde'' ("Dictionary of Numismatics"). De Gruyter, 2nd unchanged edn. Berlin. (1970 reprint).

Category:Numismatics

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