Victorian era - 22K gold love token earrings
Around 1883, these 22K gold earrings have an interesting and poetic history. Originally coins, they were hand-engraved to become sentimental gifts called "love tokens," a popular 19th-century tradition. This is a matching pair, but slightly different, with variations of the monogramme CNH intertwined with leafy motifs. Although these are initials, the designs create an interesting geometric pattern that reads more as shapes than as letters. One of the reverses contains the date "November 6th 1883" surrounded by a border; the other features a banner with 1883 in the center. Guilloché is visible on the edges of the coins, tiny details that hint at their original use. The coins were mounted on 14K gold so they could be worn as earrings.
The tradition of love tokens dates back to medieval times, and these coins have served different purposes over the centuries. They became popular in Britain and were engraved to mark important life events, such as births, deaths, and marriages. In the 18th century, these coins were exchanged with family members accused of crimes and sent to penal colonies, so prisoners could keep a memento of their loved ones with them at all times. Similarly, soldiers engraved coins during the Civil War to send to their loved ones back home. Over time, these tokens became a lighter symbol, often used as a romantic gesture to express love or to propose marriage. The coins could feature a monogramme with the woman's first initial and the man's family name initial, as a way to ask for the woman's hand.
Each coin measures 1/2” in diameter, suspended from a 1/2” earring post. The set weighs 2.75 g. They are not hallmarked. The coins and posts have been acid tested: the coins are 22K and the posts are 14K. The coins come from the United States and, although they were engraved for November 6, 1883, they were struck between 1849 and 1853 and were recalled by the American government to help with the Great Depression. This makes these coins rare.
Référence 58 Facettes : 10094369145161
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Vendeur professionnel - Statut : Gold
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