Featured DID NOT POST THE CHARM BRACELET I MENTIONED A FEW/COUPLE OF

Days ago, but a couple of the charms on it DO intrigue me......I may have posted the mini gold wrench (just almost 2" if I'm correct) which I think is awesome (images will be below), but it blows my mind how/WHY someone would have taken perfectly good (there are two) 2-1/2 dollar gold coin (1853 & 1878) and in one case file off the back to stamp it with a decoration and someone's name (NETTIE- who I have no clue who it was!), but in both cases drilled holes to put them on the charm bracelet!!! My third point/question would be is the Intaglio (?) charm that's like a dark amber but think it's glass.... helmeted soldier's head, etched in....it's like 7/8"...I can't tell if it's just scratched or like a tiny "mouse" or something on the bottom part......the back is completely blank......so, here they all come!!










Sorry, I was going crazy trying to get a clear shot of "NETTIE" and that's what it says, but either my phone or my steadiness wasn't co-operating at that point!

 

I believe it was a popular Victorian (and earlier) practice to make love tokens out of coins.

 

Nothing unusual about gold coin love tokens.... https://www.google.com/search?q=gol...=2ahUKEwjbhLTS_Ir3AhW5LDQIHTS-DnMQ9QF6BAg0EAE

 

Thank you both, @bluumz & @Hollyblue for your opinions AND the links!! I guess it just bothers me that they thought so little of the value of the coins!!! ANY input on the "intaglio"-if I'm naming it correctly???

 

I think it's the opposite....

they thought so much of the coins , that using them to show affection was even more special .....

I doubt that it even entered their thoughts, that in 2022 a coin used for commerce and sometimes fashion or love , would be worth more had it never been handled...

not everyone was a numismatist...

 

The coins were not "special" at the time. US currency (currency around the world for the most part) used to be backed by gold and gold & silver currency circulating were the norm. As noted, someone took a rather "common" coin and turned it into a love token, most of these are silver, so you can imagine the affection one must of had to "ruin" a perfectly good gold coin (i'm assuming by size to be a 2 1/2 dollar coin). The Intaglio looks to be damaged based upon the photo provided. If it is on the surface, a jeweler may be able to repair the area.

The little spanner (monkey) wrench is very cool. I've had a number of these tiny tools to include the little spanner. The one I had was common brass and if I remember correctly, sold at auction for around $100.00. I am assuming it is also gold as the grip appears marked. If it actually functions, as I believe it should, it is by far, the most valuable of your pictured charms (if solid gold). Just imagine the work required to create this and, IMHO, was most likely crafted by hand. Just fantastic!