Were some holed coins used as amulets to ward off bad spirits as a PBS history show suggest ?

WinLoseWin

Were some holed coins used as amulets to ward off bad spirits as suggested by the PBS history show Secrets Of The Dead?

Saw this show recently about some interesting history and don't recall if I have heard this as a reason why some US coins may have been holed.

Mentioned at the 25:35 mark in the program link below is the following narration:

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While the recruits prepare for war, their families live in the shadows.

Written accounts are rare, but archeological discoveries at Camp Nelson suggest they survived by doing laundry and cooking for the soldiers.

They also brought their own traditions with them. One recovered item, a silver dime with a hole cut in it, would have been used as an amulet to ward off bad spirits
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Here is a screen capture of the dime:

It appears to be a well worn, possibly fire damaged, Seated Dime from the 1850's. Thought it might be the Arrows type, but on closer look I don't see clear arrows. They did not show the reverse.

The shape and placement of the hole don't seem like it would be ideal for decoration or utility purposes, so the "...amulet to ward off bad spirits..." does seem one plausible explanation.

Has anyone seen documentation of this use for holed coins before?

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The dime was found among items in an archaeological discovery at Camp Nelson.

The background is that Camp Nelson in Kentucky (a slave state in the Union) allowed free blacks and former or escaped slaves who arrived to become soldiers and bring their families into the camp.

At one point, there was an expulsion of their family members and their possessions burned. After bad press the policy was reversed and they were allowed to return and future families could stay. It seems the dime was found in the area of other burned items.

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https://watch.thirteen.org/video/the-civil-wars-lost-massacre-hgmvsh/

Secrets of the Dead - The Civil War's Lost Massacre

Season 22 Episode 1 | 55m 23s

"Originally a supply depot for Union forces in Kentucky, Camp Nelson became the site where 10,000 Black soldiers trained in the Civil War. But in the war’s last months, these soldiers were attacked by bitter Southerners. Their remains have never been found, and a team is dedicated to finding them to memorialize their service and heroism."

Aired: 10/23/24 Expires: 11/20/24

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What are some of the known reasons for holed coins? I can think of these:

• -decorative
• -utilitarian as tools, spacers, washers etc
• -ward off spirits (if accurate)

Any other reasons or some sub-categories of the above?

johnny9434

That's the first of reading that but it's interesting. Will take a look 🙂

OldeTowneCoinShoppe

The superstition of hammering a coin above the door (thus creating a hole) is still alive today. And back when nails were square, they created square holes during this practice.

As far as I understand, it had to be a silver coin - not gold nor copper.

I have owned a few such pieces myself.

BLUEJAYWAY

The only thing I know that will ward off evil spirits is a slabbed coin with 3 stickers on it hung over the door.😀

jmlanzaf

Silver was often considered to be a way to ward off evil. That's why werewolves can be killed with silver bullets, for example. Coinage would be the most common way most people encountered it.

jmlanzaf

Just so I can get my $21.60 worth, I asked ChatGPT for 1000 words on the history of silver and evil spirits:

The relationship between silver and its reputed power over evil spirits stretches back millennia, woven into the fabric of folklore, religious rituals, and popular culture across the globe. From ancient legends to medieval beliefs, silver has long been associated with mystical properties, especially its effectiveness in repelling supernatural forces and protecting against evil. Here, we delve into the rich history that intertwines silver and its symbolic power over malevolent spirits.

The Early Cultural Significance of Silver

Silver’s significance in human civilization can be traced as far back as 3000 BCE, when it was first mined in areas like Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). Unlike gold, which was associated with wealth and the divine, silver was often imbued with protective qualities. In ancient Egypt, silver was considered more valuable than gold at times due to its scarcity. The Egyptians believed that silver symbolized purity and held sacred connotations related to the moon and goddesses like Isis, who embodied protection and healing.

In ancient Mesopotamia, silver was used in rituals and religious offerings. The substance’s natural luster and reflective quality were believed to ward off evil and reflect malevolent forces back to their origin. This reflective property underpinned silver’s later association with protection against spirits and demons.

Silver in Mythology and Folklore

The connection between silver and its supernatural protective qualities is prevalent in various mythologies. In Greco-Roman traditions, silver was associated with Artemis (or Diana), the goddess of the hunt and the moon. Her silver bow and arrows were said to be weapons that punished evil beings. The moon’s silvery light was thought to have mystical properties capable of revealing hidden truths and exposing the dark undercurrents of the spiritual world.

In Eastern traditions, silver also held a place of prominence. For example, in some ancient Chinese beliefs, silver had the power to detect poisons and impurity—a quality that symbolically translated into its ability to repel evil. The metal’s purported ability to react with toxins (turning color upon exposure) contributed to its mystical aura.

Silver in Christianity and Medieval Europe

The use of silver to ward off evil spirits became especially pronounced in medieval Europe, where superstitions and religious beliefs were intertwined. During this period, silver was considered a holy metal, emblematic of purity and protection. This belief extended into Christian practices; crosses and other religious artifacts were often made of silver to harness its sacred properties. The metal’s luminous sheen was associated with the light of God, thought to repel darkness and demonic presences.

One of the most famous uses of silver in folklore is its role in combating werewolves and vampires. While the origins of this belief are varied, one popular explanation points to the medieval idea that silver, being associated with purity and the divine, could burn or destroy creatures associated with evil. According to legend, werewolves—humans cursed to transform under the full moon—could only be killed by a weapon forged from silver. This belief likely emerged from the association of silver with the moon and its connection to truth and purity.

Similarly, vampires were said to be repelled by silver. Some tales suggested that silver mirrors or reflective surfaces could reveal a vampire’s true nature or prevent them from hiding. The idea of silver bullets became popular in later centuries, particularly in Gothic literature, reinforcing the notion that silver had inherent properties capable of harming or banishing creatures linked to darkness.

Alchemy and the Mystical Properties of Silver

In alchemy, silver was connected to the moon and represented the feminine principle. Alchemists believed it had purifying attributes and was one of the seven metals associated with the planetary bodies. Silver symbolized intuition, psychic ability, and the power to protect against psychic attacks or dark forces. This symbolic association carried into the Renaissance, a period when mystical beliefs were still woven into scientific pursuits.

Alchemy also linked silver with lunacy (from “luna,” Latin for moon), suggesting that the moon’s influence had both enlightening and maddening effects. This dual nature reinforced silver’s role as both a conduit of mystical insight and a protector against the unearthly or supernatural.

Silver in Modern Supernatural Lore

The belief in silver’s power over evil spirits has persisted into modern times, particularly through popular culture. Classic horror literature, like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and later films, cemented the image of silver as a formidable weapon against creatures like vampires and werewolves. The concept of silver bullets as the only effective means to kill a werewolf is now a well-established trope in modern horror stories, despite its relatively recent origin in the 19th century.

Additionally, silver has found a place in modern spiritual practices. Many contemporary practitioners of Wicca and other neo-pagan traditions use silver amulets and jewelry for protection against negative energies. These items are believed to harness the purifying properties of silver, creating a shield that blocks harmful influences.

Scientific Basis and Symbolism

Though the mystical properties of silver are often seen through a cultural and symbolic lens, the metal does have real-world attributes that contribute to its legendary status. Silver’s antimicrobial properties have been documented for centuries; it was used in ancient medicine to treat wounds and prevent infections. This tangible “cleansing” property may have contributed to its reputation as a purifier, both physically and spiritually.

The metal’s ability to detect impurities—such as turning black when exposed to sulfur—may have inspired beliefs in its power to reveal hidden dangers, including evil spirits or malevolent forces. This scientific behavior likely fueled the legend that silver could unveil and repel the unseen.

Conclusion

Silver’s enduring association with evil spirits and supernatural protection reflects humanity’s broader relationship with symbolism and ritual. From ancient civilizations that valued its purity and mystical properties, to medieval European tales that established it as a weapon against the dark, silver has occupied a unique place as a protector in folklore. Whether through ancient ritual, religious use, or modern storytelling, the belief in silver’s power over evil endures—a testament to the deep-seated desire for safety and light in the face of the unknown.

WillieBoyd2

Another post on this subject:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1106641/small-silver-holed-coins-used-as-slave-charms-against-witchcraft-and-conjuring

Chile Republic one real 1846
Silver, 2.46 gm, 19.0 mm, Santiago Mint

WinLoseWin

@jmlanzaf said:
Silver was often considered to be a way to ward off evil. That's why werewolves can be killed with silver bullets, for example. Coinage would be the most common way most people encountered it.

Wondered if there was a connection to the werewolf thing. I keep three cent silver pieces on me to fling at werewolves in case I'm attacked. Maybe I should just lock the doors like Joe Walsh.

JCH22

Perhaps custom, rather than as a talisman? Cowrie shells were used for exchange in Africa. They were holed and worn on a string. When small denomination coins were introduced , they minted with a hole in them, so that people, according to the colonial authorities, could put them on strings as they did with cowrie shells.

WinLoseWin

Excellent info in your above linked post @WillieBoyd2 .

I missed seeing it in August - Small silver holed coins used as slave charms against witchcraft and conjuring

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This comment in it gets to the point:

In the 1930's the Works Progress Administration (WPA) sent people to interview former slaves.

"Every one of my children wears a silver dime on a string around their leg to keep off the witches spell", said Gertrude Vogler of Kentucky.
"Others wore a silver coin in their shoes and some made holes in the coin, threaded a string through it, attached it to the ankle so that no one could conjure them" said Willis Williams of Florida
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Also your link in it to https://coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n20a15.html may have a clear photo of the same coin in my original post along with other good info.

If the same item then it is an 1857.

messydesk

Superstition, fear of evil spirits, and money are both old enough for them all to have faced off many times.