Coins for front sights was a common solution as an aftermarket "in the field" fix 100+ yrs. ago. I had many examples on Colts, Winchesters, S&Ws ,etc. in the past. I think Indian Head pennies probably was the most common, although guns coming out of Mexico sometimes had a piece of a Peso attached as the front sight or added to the rear sight as a ramp shim. I think there's still a Hawken rifle somewhere in the back of my safe with a coin front sight repair. Ed.