How to Do a Coin Rubbing on Paper

Coin rubbing on paper is an art project just about anyone can do. It is very simple and even small children can try this. If you have a coin collection of any kind it is fun to try rubbings on paper with all the different coins. Since each coin has two different pictures, try using both the front and back sides of each coin. The more you try it, the more precise and detailed the coin rubbings become. This is also a good way to teach small children about coin denominations by giving them a project that teaches using both a visual and a textural message.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White paper
• Soft lead pencil
• Coins of different sizes

1. Put a coin on the table or desk. You can put either side face up to begin with.

2. Set the white piece of paper on top of the coin where you want the impression of the coin to be.

3. Hold the paper down firmly with your non-dominant hand. Make sure you hold the coin still too at the same time. If the coin moves while you are rubbing, the rubbed impression will be blurred.

4. Using the side of the pencil lead, not the pointy tip, begin rubbing back and forth across the surface of the underlying coin until an impression of the coin begins to appear. Be careful not to rub so hard that you rip the paper.

5. Continue rubbing until the whole coin is showing up on the paper. Make it as dark or light as you like. Repeat with the other side of the coin on another side of the paper. Then try it with other coins.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a normal weight paper like standard white printer paper. It holds up well to the rubbing motion.