Anyone know what this is?

cinch · May 31, 2012 8:45AM

About 30 years ago, a grand aunt of mine gave me this tiny silver kettle made out of a dime. I had completely forgotten about it until today, when i stumbled upon it digging through some things. I'm a paper money guy, so I'm not sure if this sort of creation is common or even what type of dime this might have been. Anyone ever see one of these before or have any ideas? Thanks!

mrpaseo · May 31, 2012 8:47AM

A very small tea pot made from a dime.

AUandAG · May 31, 2012 8:48AM

Never owned one but have seen several. They are super neat. Took a lot of work to reshape
a dime into a tea pot.

bob

stealer · May 31, 2012 8:49AM

You should try brewing a leaf in there

JRocco · May 31, 2012 9:17AM

That is really cool.
Fun piece.
Now if it was toned there would be 9 banana heads here telling you to get it slabbed.

savoyspecial · May 31, 2012 9:25AM

A great example of 'trench art' or more specifically 'prisoner art' -- I remember hearing tales of these being churned out in large number from Northeastern correctional facilities

cinch · May 31, 2012 9:27AM

Northeastern correctional facilities? Sounds about right considering my relatives...

thisnamztaken · May 31, 2012 9:32AM

Kind of cool, actually. Plus, it looks like it has original, un-dipped, uncleaned surfaces also, with only a tad of verdigris that doesn't detract.

sumnom · May 31, 2012 9:41AM

The question is, "Will it grade?"

lkeigwin · May 31, 2012 10:15AM

Pretty cool, I think. A little like push-outs.
Lance.

jesbroken · May 31, 2012 10:43AM

They claimed prisoner's made these, true or not I do not know. Many are for sale on the internet
just google teapot coins or teapot penny and you will see. This is the first I have seen made from a
dime. Cool and interesting, thanks for sharing.
Here is one I used to own and sold here on the board 3 or 4 years ago.
Jim