Can you eat coins?
Quick Answer
No
Eating coins is not safe or recommended. Coins are made of metals that can be harmful if ingested, and they can also cause choking or digestive blockages.
What Is It?
Coins are small, flat, typically round pieces of metal used primarily as a medium of exchange or legal tender. They are standardized in weight, and produced in large quantities at a mint in order to facilitate trade.
Historical Context
Coins have been used as a form of currency for thousands of years, with the earliest known coins dating back to ancient Lydia in the 7th century BC. The materials used to make coins have varied over time and from place to place, but they are typically made of metal.
Why It Can Be Risky
There are several risks associated with eating coins.
- Choking hazard: Coins can get stuck in the throat and cause choking.
- Digestive blockage: If swallowed, a coin can become lodged in the digestive tract and cause a blockage.
- Toxicity: Coins are made of metals, some of which can be toxic if ingested.