A Different Use of a Seated Liberty

[rbarnwell413]

I found a strange use of a seated liberty quarter this past weekend. I originally thought it might be a cuff link, or lapel ornament. It's 1876 with a round/flat headed stud silver soldered to the liberty, and polished smooth reverse that's been professionally monogrammed.

Any idea's folk's? I found it on a local plantation dating back to 1795 here in East Tennessee. I NEED HELP!!

 

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[cjon455]

not sure what the use is, but man that thing is awesome!!, id probly like finding that more than finding a normal seated!! killer find

 

[mangum]

My educated guess is that its a cuff link. That's awesome! In my opinion that's better than finding the regular quarter.

 

[wheatfinder13]

Awesome find

 

[rastinirv]

Yep, looks like a cuff link, so there might be another one out there (unless it belonged to a 1-armed amputee veteran of the Civil War ). People also would carve monograms and inscriptions on their coins back then and give them to their beloved. They were called "love tokens." Anyhow, that is a sensational find!

 

[Argentium]

Sure looks like a cufflink to me , it was not uncommon thruout the "Victorian era " to make jewelry and love tokens from the current
coin of the realm . One reason for employing coins for this , was that prior to an era where jewelers could go to a "jewelers supply "
to get raw materials , like sheet silver (or gold ) ,A silversmith would be required to cast an ingot from scrap silver , hammer or roll it ,
to the desired gauge , then begin fabrication of this sheet into the jewelry piece . The circulating coinage (whether gold or silver) was
a readily available format - uniform in weight , size and content (purity ) saving a lot of extra work .

I have a "love token " consisting of an 1869 British half sovereign - (young head Victoria ) that has the word Mother engraved
onto the obverse of the coin , and a love token made from a seated liberty quarter (1854 i think ) that has ornate initials engraved
on the reverse , it also is drilled with two small holes as for a button I guess . I bought both of these .

 

[strateloss]

That's a killer find! I'd rather find that too!!

 

[wvwildman]

nice finds congrats HH

 

[rbarnwell413]

Wow....WOW..... thank's guy's! I wasn't sure of what I had found. Yes, it is something different and something I've never seen before, and I agree with Cjon 455.... I'd rather find this! WooHooooooo!!!

You've been a great help.... thank you.

 

[rbarnwell413]

Sure looks like a cufflink to me , it was not uncommon thruout the "Victorian era " to make jewelry and love tokens from the current
coin of the realm . One reason for employing coins for this , was that prior to an era where jewelers could go to a "jewelers supply "
to get raw materials , like sheet silver (or gold ) ,A silversmith would be required to cast an ingot from scrap silver , hammer or roll it ,
to the desired gauge , then begin fabrication of this sheet into the jewelry piece . The circulating coinage (whether gold or silver) was
a readily available format - uniform in weight , size and content (purity ) saving a lot of extra work .

I have a "love token " consisting of an 1869 British half sovereign - (young head Victoria ) that has the word Mother engraved
onto the obverse of the coin , and a love token made from a seated liberty quarter (1854 i think ) that has ornate initials engraved
on the reverse , it also is drilled with two small holes as for a button I guess . I bought both of these .

I would love to see those.... could you post for us to see?

 

[Fixitdave]

Could it be a tie tac

 

[JohnnyMac]

that's too cool

 

[Argentium]

rbarnwell413 , I admit that in several years on this site, I have never posted a pic - I have no good excuse , I have had a digital
camera now since last Nov. I will learn how to post pics soon - and when I do, I would be happy to post the two love tokens
i mentioned earlier . Thank you ! I take your request as a challenge to my fear of digital technology .

 

[vpnavy]

Nice finds and does look like a cuff link rbarnwell413!

 

[BuckleBoy]

Nice cufflink! I'd love to find that. GREAT find--in fact, better than finding the quarter un-altered!

Cheers,


Buck

 

[TheCoinKid]

Interesting cufflink. Congrats.

 

[jewelerguy]

that's awesome. I say cuff link, and lost by someone who could afford the finer things in life.

 

[kuger]

yep,cufflink....common....but not common,if ya get my drift