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So, I've been putting off cutting silver for a long time. Really scared of messing up something expensive. I've had several folks ask me to make something from their silver keepsake coins (and let me tell you, that is never going to happen). But, as I've gone a while without trashing a coin, I started warming up to the idea. I bought a 1 oz and .5 oz silver round, but then I had to think of something worthy to cut. . . . fast foward . . . My son has just finished the Crucible at Paris Island (Sunday morning to be specific). So he now carries the title of Marine. My wife,as you can image is brimming with pride and we leave tomorrow morning to go to the graduation and pick him up to bring him home for a short leave. While she was browsing Marine pictures/symbols, we ran across the Eagle/Globe Heart combination. This seemed like a great theme, and since we had an occasion to celebrate, I set out to make the pattern and try silver for the first time. I started with the smallest coin (In case I messed it up). Silver is super smooth, and is softer than what I've been cutting. It was really enjoyable. There was one thing that was very remarkable about silver, superglue binds to it super tight. First time in a long time I didn't have any pattern lift at all, and I didn't have to cut anything blind, thank God. On that size coin, I had to really be careful because the easier the cut, the easier it is to slip and cut something unintended. The 1 oz is considerably thicker than the first coin (maybe 1/8"), and though it cut smooth, there was a lot more metal to get through, so it was slow but smooth sailing. This size cut slower than the Eisenhowers, but still wasn't too bad. I think one coin will go to my wife, and the other to my son's future wife. Since I have to live with my wife, she will get her choice. Notice the little heart. I strategically placed the entry hole (at the top in the crevice) such that I could save the heart. I wish I would have thought to do that with the first coin. I'm still trying to figure out if I should hang the little heart from the larger piece, or perhaps do something else. I thought I would post two images, one at actual size, then the other blown up so you can see the imprint on the coins. I like that the little heart has the "lips" showing. If you getting tired of these coins, I can promise no more coins for at least a week :-)