Making Holes in Coins for Jewelry (No Drill Needed)

Updated in 2025

Have you ever wanted to turn a coin or a metal object into a unique piece of jewelry—but weren’t sure how to make a clean hole without damaging it?

Coins and metal hoop findings with holes punched for jewelry making – no drill needed!

Why Punch Holes in Metal to Make Jewelry

Making holes in metal is incredibly useful for customizing jewelry findings or incorporating souvenirs and found objects like coins into your designs. With the right tools (spoiler: not always a drill), it’s easy, quick, and gives you lots of creative freedom.

Let me show you how I’ve used simple metal punches to create some of my favorite earring and bracelet projects.

Tools for Punching Holes in Metal Jewelry

There are a few different tools that I use depending on the material and where I want the hole placed.

Screw-Style Metal Hole Punch

Adding a hole to earring finding with screw-type metal hole punch

My go-to tool for thicker items is a screw-style metal punch that creates two hole sizes (1.5mm & 2mm). It’s super easy to use:

• Slide your metal piece into the tool’s notch.
• Align the punch where you want the hole.
• Twist the handle until it presses the punch through the metal.

Tip: This tool is designed for holes close to the edge since it doesn't have a large area to insert the metal into. It's perfect for thicker jewelry findings or coins. It doesn’t scratch the metal and requires minimal force.

Pliers-Style Punch

Pliers-style hole punch provides precise placement and a choice of multiple hole sizes

When I need precise placement, I use a pliers-style hole punch—originally intended for leather, but it works great on thin metals too. This tool gives you more control and a range of hole sizes.

I use this punch when making projects like my wire bones ring because it lets me punch holes farther from the edge with better accuracy.

Project #1: Custom Hoop Earrings

Channel hoop findings in need of a hole to add beads

My first experiment with hole punching was these channel hoop findings from Nunn Design. I had a design in mind: turquoise heishi beads set down the middle of the channel. But I had no way to attach the wire cleanly.

Solution:

Channel hoop earring finding with holes made with screw-type hole punch

I added a hole near the bottom edge of the hoop to anchor the wire, then wrapped the other end near the post. Here's how they turned out:

Turquoise heishi beads wrapped neatly through a custom-punched hole.

I love how the beads curve around the hoop while sitting snug inside the channel—clean, modern, and super wearable.

Project #2: Lucky Penny Bracelet

Making a hole in a coin with a screw-type metal hole punch

One day, I found a penny on the street (lucky, right?) and decided to turn it into a charm for a bracelet. I was a little nervous about punching through a coin—but it was actually super easy. Like butter.

I strung the penny on elastic cord and surrounded it with turquoise beads to create a simple stretch bracelet. Because the hole is off-center at the edge of the coin, the coin rests comfortably against your wrist while the outer edge peeks out for contrast. If you’re new to working with stretch cord, see my tips for making durable elastic bracelets that won’t loosen or break.

Metal Hole Punch Tool Comparison

Tool	Best For	Hole Size	Pros
Screw-Style Metal Punch	Coins, thick findings	2 fixed sizes	Easy, strong, no mess
Pliers-Style Punch	Thin metal, precise holes	Multiple	Accurate, portable
Electric Drill (optional)	Any thickness or placement	Any size	Versatile but requires setup

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Tips for Success

• Use a marker to mark your hole before punching.
• Add painter’s tape over polished areas to avoid scratches.
• For smooth edges, file or sand after punching.
• Always test your tool on scrap metal first.
• Label the screw punch to show which side makes the small and large holes for easier use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Legal to Punch Holes in Coins?

Yes—modifying coins for jewelry is perfectly legal as long as you're not intending to defraud or counterfeit. Creating jewelry from coins is considered artistic or personal use.

What is the best way to make a hole in a thick coin for jewelry?

A screw-style metal punch may work on thin copper coins, aluminum tokens, or other soft metals. However, it is not effective on thick coins, clad coins with harder outer layers, nickels, or coins made from high-nickel or harder alloys.

For thicker coins, the most reliable method is drilling. Secure the coin in a clamp, mark the hole location with a center punch to prevent slipping, and use a rotary tool or drill fitted with a metal drill bit. Drill slowly with steady pressure for a clean, centered hole.

How do you keep a coin from slipping when using a screw punch?

Place the punch on a stable surface and hold the coin firmly in position before tightening the punch. Marking the hole location with a fine-tip marker helps ensure accurate placement and prevents repositioning during punching.

What types of metal work best with a pliers-style punch?

Pliers-style metal punches work best on thin, soft metals such as copper and aluminum. Very thin brass sheet may work, but thicker or hardened brass is often too stiff and may bend instead of punching cleanly.

What size jump ring should I use with a punched coin?

Choose a jump ring that fits the hole snugly but still has room to move. For most small punches, 18–20 gauge jump rings in 4–6 mm diameters work well to add coins to chains as pendants. If you do not have the right size on hand, learn how to make your own jump rings from wire.