Coins

[ebee]

Dear Forum Members,

Which building stones are known as "Coins" & why?

Thanks for any replies

 

[Alastairreid]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quoin_(architecture)

 

[pinenot]

The word is Quoins, which I've read somewhere is a misspelling of the word coin. It's origin is not clear, but appears in written, form about the middle of the sixteenth century I believe.

Most dictionaries describe it as corner stones - toothed corner stones - and I've also seen it referenced to arch construction.

It can either refer to a decorative corner feature (quoin-ed) or the stones themselves. They have become popular additions to houses made mostly with blocks, presumably to enhance their price through their decorative appeal. Here in Scotland, most new houses are timber framed, the outer skin of brick being more decorative, rather than fully structural and it's amazing how qoines can transform one of these as opposed to the full roughcast version. No doubt in the stone building days, when smaller irregular stone was used over much of the buildings, quoins played an important part in promoting a more grandiose appearance. Although the word quoin is relatively new, this type feature was widely used in Roman times on their villas and so forth...pinenot

 

[Pigeon85]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quoin_%28architecture%29

there's my bit of learning done for the day

 

[^woody^]

Quoins = corners.

Contemporary use is to refer to a decorative corner

 

[ebee]

Thank you all for that very informative answer.

I did wonder if perhaps it came from a tradition I once heard of, putting a valuable coin in the foundations or building itself to bring luck.

Thanks all