We are so far removed from using gold coins as currency that the thought of scratching a gold coin in one of those makes me cringe. Edit to add, it is pretty cool.
A lady’s coin holder pendant. Can be worn inside the clothing as a reserve cache of money in case m’lady’s pocketbook is pilfered by a cutpurse. Might have held sovereigns and half sovereigns.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
It's smooth surfaces lead me to believe it was designed to be worn in a manner that would hide it from view. Gold coins of some sort would have been carried as emergency money during travel. Look for any hallmarks to get a better idea of where it was made and what country's coins it was made for.
...way cool, the piece and the stories of what it might be...reminds me of my younger years, I never went south of the boarder without twenty bucks in each sock...and yes, it worked well for me
I'm having a hard time determining the size. Are we sure it's not just for transportation tokens? That would explain why it is worn. There are a lot of transportation token holders of similar design.
Looks like a coin purse for British dold Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns, which were the most popular gold coins in the world at the time (Victorian/Edwardian eras).
When I was much younger there was an american version (plastic of course) tubular in shape, that was used as a key chain. One side held nickles and the other side dimes. Carried with your car keys and you always had change for a parking meter with you.
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Do you have anything to reference the size? Like a pic of it with a dollar bill?
What size coin fits in there?
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
I honestly don't know. These were the only two photos I was provided with. Perhaps about the size of a quarter?
peacockcoins
It Is a coin holder (gold coins) and worn like a necklace. The coins feed-in on the spring contraption. Probably 19th century.
It’s a coin holder. Here’s an example of a Turkish one: https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/A-19TH-CENTURY-TURKISH-MIDDLE-EASTERN-IRON-COIN-H_B834077B0F
My Type Set & My Complete Proof Nickel Set!
We are so far removed from using gold coins as currency that the thought of scratching a gold coin in one of those makes me cringe. Edit to add, it is pretty cool.
A lady’s coin holder pendant. Can be worn inside the clothing as a reserve cache of money in case m’lady’s pocketbook is pilfered by a cutpurse. Might have held sovereigns and half sovereigns.
looks like could hold 4 or 6 eagles, enough to get a lady out of a bind 100 years ago
Most things like this held $5 and $2 and 1/2 golds, or the near-equivalents Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns.
Eagles and Double Eagles were things that sat in bank tills or in miser's old wool socks. Double sovereigns and five sovereigns were very uncommon.
IMHO.
Gold sovereigns?
bob
It's smooth surfaces lead me to believe it was designed to be worn in a manner that would hide it from view. Gold coins of some sort would have been carried as emergency money during travel. Look for any hallmarks to get a better idea of where it was made and what country's coins it was made for.
Looks like a close relative (or even the same design) as this?
dukes-auctions.com:WHITE METAL SOVEREIGN HOLDER
British gold coin about the size of a nickel with .2354 oz of gold.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
...way cool, the piece and the stories of what it might be...reminds me of my younger years, I never went south of the boarder without twenty bucks in each sock...and yes, it worked well for me
I see Germany stamped on the gold edge (slightly out of focus). Is the case potentially made out of silver?
peacockcoins
Additional photos:
Such a long chain too. Perhaps to hide the box around the wearer's neck and have it ride
toward the waist?
peacockcoins
I'm having a hard time determining the size. Are we sure it's not just for transportation tokens? That would explain why it is worn. There are a lot of transportation token holders of similar design.
It's been answered. It's a coin holder/dispenser.
Here's a foldy one for gold coins. I replaced the US gold with Sovereigns.
Nice ladies coin purse.... for emergency funds.... Cheers, RickO
Agree with all the above.
As it is not fancy on the outside I'd guess it was meant to be worn under one's clothes.
Chains often break and wear out due to use. The chain may not be original or was meant to be doubled up for strength around one's neck?
maybe the chain is for around the waist/belly
Would need more coins.
Another gold coin holder, this one for British gold sovereigns:
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
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Hm. There is a spot on the obverse. Pass
:-/
I vote for fewer coins.
Looks like a coin purse for British dold Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns, which were the most popular gold coins in the world at the time (Victorian/Edwardian eras).
Maybe it was for the counterfeits?
When I was much younger there was an american version (plastic of course) tubular in shape, that was used as a key chain. One side held nickles and the other side dimes. Carried with your car keys and you always had change for a parking meter with you.