Illustrated Architecture Dictionary

Quoins
koinz, kwoinz
Also called Coin

The dressed stones at the corners of buildings

Usually laid so their faces are alternately large and small

In the Renaissance, the quoins were rusticated (as are the quoins in the above illustration)

French: "coin" = corner

Found on corners of buildings, doors, windows.

A feature of Gibbs surrounds

Found in Renaissance, Federal, Georgian Revival, Italianate, Italian Renaissance Revival, Colonial Revival, Beaux Arts Classical, Second Empire, styles

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Examples from Buffalo architecture:

• Illustration above: Sternberg House / The Mansion on Delaware Avenue
  
  
• Williams-Pratt House
  
  
• 1719 Main Street
  
  
• Coatsworth House
  
  
• Hotel Touraine
  
  
• Williams-Butler House
  
  
• Brick quoins - Charles W. Goodyear House
  
  
• 40 North St.
  
  
• John W. Cowper House
  
  
• George K. Birge House
  
  
• Terra cotta quoins - J. Lyth & Sons Illustrated Catalogue and Price List

Other examples:

• Lydig Munson Hoyt House, Staatsburgh, NY