Christmas gift question

Zulan

My wife makes jewelry, and I love coins, so I figured we could try to combine these loves to make some awesome jewelry for friends/family.

I need some suggestions from you titans of coins about good, interesting coins that are not too valuable (or rare) to make jewelry out of. As an example, I am bidding on some "dolphin money" to make a necklace for my 12 year old niece, who is crazy about dolphins. The "coins" are supposedly 2500 years old, and should make a fun present.

I would love to stick to older coins (1800's or earlier) because those always seem to fasinate people, regardless of actual value of the coin. In fact, I DO NOT want valuable coins because I could not bring myself to make jewelry out of them. I would squirrel them away, then sit in a darkened room muttering "my precious" while rubbing the coin. Which is one of the reasons my wife tends to limit my purchases.

Any ideas? I would also buy some of your coins if you have some good looking commons to get rid of. The depth of your knowledge (and your collections) never ceases to amaze. Help me be a good Santa this year!

Thanks!

tbirde56

The only thing worse than cleaning a coin is making jewelry out of it!!!
Try giving an historical coin itself as a present rather than a cutout piece of metal.

Zulan

Oh... c'mon. Some of the common pieces are beautiful. I understand the horror of ruining collectable pieces, which is why I am asking for coins that look good but nobody really cares if a few drop out of circulation.

syraq

I totally disagree with tbirde,this is a purist,elitist and snobish collector's view.

Just why is it better for almost worthless coins to sit endlessly in junk bins, until (and if) they're sold as bulk lots, rather than being used in some sort of jewelry,that will be enjoyed and appreciated by both the maker and the recipient of the gift? Crown sized coins used to be very much in fashion about 30 years ago, I remember my aunt and her friends wearing 1876 (very worn) 5 drachma coins as necklaces. In fact I inherited one of these and I still have it.They're interesting, unusual and might even create an interest for coins to a few people, who under normal circumstances would have never had the chance to get in touch with this hobby. Holed coins are also a good idea to create jewelry and believe it or not, the British Royal Mint sells cufflinks made with gold half sovereigns.

If Zulan offers "real" coins to his friends,I believe very few of them will appreciate it and his wife's skills will not be of any use in the procedure.The point is to give a present that will make the recipient happy, not to impose one's ideas and preferences. I can't make any specific suggestions, just choose the size that you want, and preferrably silver, it always makes a good impression. Also ,many coins that have already being used as jewelry are often sold for nearly bullion value. You might have to be more flexible on the dates though, a 19th century coin is still very old and can be easily located for very little money.

Darkhorse

How about some BU Brit ship hapennies?

Zulan

Syraq - I agree with the silver part, I was looking at some French "Sower" (sp?) coins. Love the design, and the 1906 or so are very common and have little value in even excellent condition.

The halfpennies were another one I was looking at. How early can you go on the common ones and not pay a fortune?

ajaan

Zulan,
I have a bunch of mid 1960 British halfpennies and penny coins in BU if you are interested. They are relatively inexpensive. PM if interested.

Don

wybrit

Just think of all the uses there'd be for Churchill crowns! A necklace, a belt, perhaps a couple of earrings. It could even replace the lump of coal bad kids find in their stockings.

guysmy

I haven't seen any coin jewelery that I've liked YET. You and the wife had better be good!

PuddlePirate

Zulan,
If you use "coin bezels" from a company like Tripps (tripps.com) you can get them in silver or 14kt gold. The coin drops into the bezel and has a screw closure below the bail to tighten it up. The edges of the coin are protected and if you ever want to pop the coin it is easily done without damage.

I often purchase "holed" coins from which I have made into several rather unique bracelets and pendants. I gave my youngest daughter a silver bracelet made up of twenty Roman silver denarius which she wears constantly. Many of the "holed" silver and gold coins from the "ancients" to modern era and of mid-east/Med. origin were worn as "bridal money" by women of many cultures. If you look in some of the 1970's - 80's National Geographic's there are many examples of Bedouin women wearing bridal money as head adornments, veils, necklaces ect. and still practice that display of "bridal dowry wealth".

Personally I do not drill or braze undamaged coins to make jewelry (but that is just me), however there are always people who want 1/10 oz and larger gold coins in bezels.

I have found that some of the Poorer Quality Roman Imperial Bronzes make rather attractive pendants and I have a peice that I am considering mounting as a ring or pendant as one side of the coin is awful but the other side shows incredible detail. I'd be lucky to get $1 for the coin as it is but mounted it will bring a respectable price which allows me to turn the money back into my collecting hobby and aquire better peices.

If your wife does her own casting or wire wrapping, unique jewelry designs using coins are practically endless. I wish you luck. My daughter with the bracelet asked me last week to find a large peice for a pendant, she wants Roman Silver which is always fun to look for anyway and there are always "holed" coins out there if you are patient.

Good luck.