Curious Cufflink

[TommyBoy]

I found this in a bag with some other items and did some research before I bugged you all any further.

 

I have one cufflink with an 1876 dime on one side and a $1 Indian Princess Head Gold - Year 1856 - 1889 (judging by her hair...can not tell the date and that has been covered up by the welded? post to make these coins into a cufflink)

 

Were these coins copied and made into cufflinks? This is either a home made job or one done years ago, as the welding is not of new manufacture.

 

Also, both coins have wear on them, leading me to belive that it was used often as a cufflink.

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Bob

[MunkyMan95]

Pictures?

[TommyBoy]

Coming tonight if you all think that it is worth it.

[WinstonWare]

I'd like to see them. It sounds like the coins are probably ruined for investment value but may have some style value. You might find some interest in the cuff links here. I have a strong suspicion that Hayden needs a style upgrade.

[TomB]

They sound like vintage cufflinks that are worth more than their gold content.

[Hoot]

I recently read a tidbit on gold dollars that suggested that most of their attrition, outside of the Mint melting and recycling the coinage, was to jewelry. Your story fits that scenario!

 

Hoot

[Wihlborg]

I recently read a tidbit on gold dollars that suggested that most of their attrition, outside of the Mint melting and recycling the coinage, was to jewelry.

 

You know, I’ve often thought about what could have been going on in their heads when they came up with the idea for the gold dollars. I mean those things are small! I’m sure that many must have been lost due to the diminutive size of these coins.

 

 

John

[RWB]

The article Hoot refers to was in Coin World a couple of months ago. It includes letters showing that most gold dollars from about 1874 to 1889 were used in jewelry, many for export to Britain.

[Hoot]

I found it!!!

 

Coin World, April 17, 2006. pp. 96-97. "Unneeded in Commerce: Jewelry likely use for most gold dollars" by Roger Burdette

 

 

Hoot

[RWB]

A collector asked, “Why gold dollars were popular for jewelry?”

 

They are small, delicate-looking, “cute” and most of all cheap. The gold dollar was a piece of attractively stamped gold that contained almost a full $1 of metal, yet cost the jeweler only $1 plus some small shipping expense. The US government paid for refining and fabrication – quite different than for privately made jewelry pieces. Overall, they were attractive additions to bracelets, bangles and necklaces and popular with women young and old.

 

Until 1912 the Treasurer of the US had a small, “secret” stock of these. They were sold for face value to the wives and daughters of politically-connected visitors to Senators and some Representatives. Although virtually all were dated 1889 and there were only 313 left by 1912, we have no ideal how many were originally in the hoard.

 

[More will be found in “Renaissance of American Coinage 1909-1915” whenever I can get it finished—late 2007…]

[TommyBoy]

I just remembered that I never posted the pictures. Here they are, unfortunately, I only inherited one cufflink, may purchase matching coins to create the set.

 

 

Bob

 

[WinstonWare]

I could picture Tom sporting these

[TomB]

I could picture Tom sporting these

That's funny, I saw the image and immediately thought that it was way cool!

[WinstonWare]

I could never pull it off. My friends would never let it rest

[TomB]

I don't have to worry, I don't have friends.

[MunkyMan95]

I don't have to worry, I don't have friends.

 

I'll be your friend!!!

 

Unfortunately, the gold dollar looks damaged. It's still a cool cufflink though!

[TommyBoy]

Chad,

 

Not really damaged, it is bending around the post. The gentleman who owned this most have worn it frequently and inserted into his shirts in the same maner everytime.(judging by the wear pattern on AMERICA)

 

Bob

 

[MunkyMan95]

Chad,

 

Not really damaged, it is bending around the post. The gentleman who owned this most have worn it frequently and inserted into his shirts in the same maner everytime.(judging by the wear pattern on AMERICA)

 

Bob

 

 

Pretty sure that would still be considered damage....

[Bruceswar]

Those are cool.

[RUSS BEGA]

i had a lady call me about a collection that she had inheriated, and most of it was nice! there was even a type 3 $1 in a bezel. i personally like coin jewelery as long as it isn't a historically significant coin

 

Russ

[MunkyMan95]

i had a lady call me about a collection that she had inheriated, and most of it was nice! there was even a type 3 $1 in a bezel. i personally like coin jewelery as long as it isn't a historically significant coin

 

Russ

 

I'd like to have a nice chunk of hold on my ring finger. Maybe a $5 Indian, or even a $10 Eagle. I think those kind of Jewelry pieces are cool.