A "Love Token" in a movie - The 1939 film "On Borrowed Time"
WillieBoyd2
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This is the first "love token" that I have found in a movie.
Love Tokens are coins which have engravings applied to one side. They were popular in the late 1800's and were usually made as gifts.
The one in the film is an unusual one, an octagonal medal engraved from a grandfather to a grandson.
The film is a fantasy tale based on the 1937 novel of the same title by Lawrence Edward Watkin.
Pud is a young boy whose wealthy parents are killed in an automobile accident.
His grandfather Julian Northrup (Lionel Barrymore) becomes his guardian and engages in a custody legal fight with the boy's aunt Demetria Riffle who wants the boy for his money.
It is not stated in the film but in the novel Julian worked for forty years as a watch engraver for the Tiffany & Co jewelry store in New York City.
However, in the film Julian is shown engraving something.
Julian engraving something
At one time Pud runs away from home and takes with him an large octagonal medal.
Pud reaches for the medal which has an attached ribbon
Closeup of the medal engraved "Pud from Gramp"
This film prop had to be especially made for the film.
The source medal would be any of the inexpensive octagonal dollar-sized medals available in the 1930s.
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television
Comments
I have not seen the movie, nor have I read the novel. Will look for the novel at the local bookstore..... Thanks for the still shots.. Cheers, RickO
Was on Turner Classic Movies recently.