DATE: Mid Victorian, c.1860

Coin jewellery, aka numismatic jewellery, has been produced for virtually as long as coins have themselves. Ancient Egyptian, Roman, Etruscan, and Greek examples have all been found, indeed it's thought that it was reasonably common for wealthy people from these civilisations to show off their fortunes by literally wearing their money. The 19th century saw a mini renaissance in numismatic jewellery, inspired primarily by Castellani and the archaeological revival movement midway through the century. 

This brooch dates from the latter half of the 19th century, circa 1860, and features a pair of silver fourpences, slightly overlapping, both dated 1838 - the year of Queen Victoria's coronation. Hard to imagine the things they must have seen, al the hands they've been through over the years.

Some notable events in 1838: Isambard Kingdom Brunel's paddle steamer SS Great Western makes its first transatlantic crossing in fifteen days, inaugurating a regular steamship service; the (31st May), weird story, sometimes described as the last battle on English soil; Chartism launched by members of the London Working Men's Association calling for universal suffrage for male voters; 28th June - the coronation of Queen Victoria, known as "the Penny Crowning" since Lord Melbourne denied her the traditional medieval banquet to "keep within budget", takes place at Westminster Abbey.

MEASUREMENTS 

3.0 x 1.6cm

WEIGHT 

4.1g

CONDITION 

Good, general wear commensurate with age