Cufflinks with George V Gold? Coins?

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by OldWhitby, Mar 25, 2021.

  1. OldWhitby

    OldWhitby Anything Old

    I have this pair of cuff-links with what looks like miniature Gold Sovereigns on them. All of the details on the face of the coin are identical to a gold sovereign but they are only 1.1 cm in diameter. I can't find any reference to a British coin that small in any metal. My metal test kit is very old so I can't test them but they look like gold. They belonged to my father-in-law who is long dead and are in a Birk's box. For those not in Canada, Birk's was the premiere Jeweler/goldsmith company in Canada for more than 100 years and they did a lot of custom jewelry. There is a foil label inside the box which reads "1/20-14KT Gold Filled". I'm guessing that this refers to the mounts which seem to me to be long after George V reign.
    Are these coins? Comment?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    From their design and the case those cufflinks aren't terribly old. Would you post a photograph of the case itself please? The covering will help date but... I'd certainly think post World War II. 1960s-ish.

    Debora
     
  3. Ce BCA

    Ce BCA Well-Known Member

    There are some novelty 1/8th sovereigns knocking around, and these are 11mm, however I have only seen them with QE2 heads
     
  4. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    The smallest gold coin of George V's reign was the Half Sovereign which is far larger than your's.

    The only coins I can think of that are that size featuring George V are the silver One Half Pence Maundy or the Third Farthing which was bronze.

    It could be a gold plated one these.

    It could also be a bespoke strike by a non Royal Mint jeweller.
     
    Ce BCA likes this.
  5. OldWhitby

    OldWhitby Anything Old

    Here is a picture of the case and one that shows the internal label Image317.jpg Image318.jpg . I believe you're correct about it being 1960s. That's why I believe these were custom made - client proved the 'coins' and Birks put them on cufflinks - probably in the '60s
     
  6. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    No milled edge so not monetized coins.
     
  7. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    The case is earlier than the 1960s by a decade or two. No, they're not coins. They're decorative and I very much doubt those cuff links were custom made.

    Think there's a little corporate synergy here. From wikipedia.org: "In 1953, Henry Birks and Sons bought out Roden Bros. Ltd., a company that produced silver hollowware, flatware, cut crystal, and medals."

    The brand was opening stores in shopping malls as early as 1954. Not inconceivable that they developed a less expensive line to appeal to the mass customer.

    Debora
     
  8. OldWhitby

    OldWhitby Anything Old

    Thanks for the suggestion. According to Wikipedia The Maundy Penny has a diameter of 11.15 mm which is about right so that's probably what it is but gold plated. Would it be legal to do a bespoke strike?
     
  9. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Anyone can strike coins.

    This one is not showing a date or value and is not pretending to be a real coin so fake, copy, replica or forgery does not come into it.

    Real legal tender coins need permission from the treasury or RM to be struck and used.
     
  10. OldWhitby

    OldWhitby Anything Old

    Why would a jeweler create a product featuring a former monarch? Wouldn't there would be a much larger market for the current monarch?
    Can these be dated by the toggle style - When did that style originate?
     
  11. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    According to the internet... Bullet toggles were introduced in the 1930s and popular through the 1960s.

    Debora
     
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