COIN GUITAR PICKS

a century old American folk art

A history of the coin guitar pick:

In the late 1800's, a musical movement called Band began to gain popularity in America. Talented classically trained musicians were brought together by their love of the progressive post-classical (early jazz) movement. They filled parlors, halls and speakeasies with a bouncy new style of music that was embraced by the American public, the common forerunner of the more orchestral post-war Big Band music.



The early Band sound featured many instruments, but primarily brought the guitar into the spotlight as a lead instrument. Because there was no amplification for the acoustic guitars in those days, players often used silver quarter coins and buttons as plectrums due to their availability, tonality and (most-importantly) the amplification they provided the instrument. Now soloists could acoustically compete with louder instruments such as piano, drums and horns in a lively public setting.



The love of the Coin Guitar Pick was prominent throughout the Big Band days and extended well into the early days of rock and roll. When players gained access to electric amplification, they found that the metal plectrums provided a superior tonality above other man-made materials of the day.



Legendary guitarists of our current era such as Billy Gibbons of ZZ Topp and Brian May of Queen still use coin guitar picks to this very day.

USA Quarter-Dollar Coin Pick (Cupronickel)



1.75mm jazz shape | Silver, Cupronickel | This hugely popular coin pick style is also known as a 'George Pick' and comes in a variety of minted images (Eagle, America the Beautiful, etc.)



Tone: rich, harmonic

Attack: varied, voluminous

Drift: smooth



Choose any year from 1965-2016.



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Antique USA Quarter-Dollar Coin Pick

(.900 Coin Silver)



1.75mm jazz shape | Silver | These silver coins have been used by guitarists since the late 1800's.



Tone: bell-like, harmonic

Attack: varied, voluminous

Drift: smooth



Choose from three different styles: 1900's Barber, 1920's Standing Liberty, 1932-1964 Washington.



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Antique USA Half-Dollar Coin Pick

(Silver)



2mm jumbo jazz shape | Silver | A heavy but effective pick style; the older silver versions are very popular with acoustic and electric guitarists.



Tone: bell-like, harmonic

Attack: solid, voluminous

Drift: smooth



Choose from three different styles: 1940's Walking Liberty, 1950's Franklin, 1964 Kennedy.



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Antique USA Nickel Pick



1.75 mini jazz style | Nickel | This coin jazz pick is popular with mandolin and guitar players who focus more on intricate lead performances and prefer a minimally sized plectrum.



Tone: rich, harmonic

Attack: varied, voluminous

Drift: smooth



CLICK HERE to see this pick in our Etsy store!

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Master Artisan Guitar Picks

P O Box 1441

White House, TN 37188

USA