Penny Exonumia Galore!

I'm writing an article on "Penny Exonumia" and had Todd photograph several pieces from my collection, so I thought I'd "preview" some of these unique and interesting pieces here. Aren't they CUTE!!

1901 Watch Fob


Working padlock made from 1935 Lincoln cent


WWII V-Day Victory pin made from a Lincoln cent - these types of WWII souvenirs are referred to as "trench art"


Tiny teapots made from Indian cents - these were made by inmates from a Midwest prison in the 1930's-1940's. Notice the different shapes in the teapot as well as the handle (most likely made by different inmates)






Tiny teapots made from Lincoln cents






Teapot made from a Canadian cent (notice there is no "United States..." underneath "One Cent")


Tiny mug made from a Lincoln cent


Teapot (approx. 2" high) made with various British copper coins, including the handle, with removable lid


Tea kettle made from 1943 Australian half penny


Spoon made from 1901 British farthing and penny, including the stem


1901 Indian cent "Frying Pan" Stick Pin encasement (rare!)


1901 Indian cent "Frying Pan" encasement


1908 Indian cent in a Teddy Bear encasement


1902 Indian cent Pocket Mirror


1908 Indian cent in oval Pocket Mirror


1928 Lincoln cent Pocket Mirror


1901 Pan Am Expo Elongated Indian cent


1907 Jamestown Expo Elongated Indian cent


1909 Hudson-Fulton Elongated Lincoln cent


1864-L Engrailed edge Indian cent


1869 Reeded edge Indian cent


1852 Large cent "Pie Cutter"


1892 Indian cent "Gear" (no hole)



Any comments and/or additional information on these pieces for my article are certainly welcome!

 

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I still have a squashed penny from the Jelly Belly factory

 

Neat!!! I still have yet to own one.

 

Wow, many of those I have never seen before. Very cool.

 

Amazing; the craftsmanship that went into these. Thanks for sharing your unique collection!

-LTB

 

I love all of these!

 

I had to look up "exonumia" but WOW! Tiny Teapots!!! ( Also, pie cutters.)

Detecto-
Why are you vomiting rainbow? I'm hip to the b/ character but not this meme, Thx.

 

Vomiting rainbows is a popular meme. It is a response to something that is so awesome, in makes you vomit a rainbow.

 

Very cool collection Charmy!

 

Great penny exonumia PL. Thanks for giving us a preview.

ps Did that dealer from Mi ever send you pics of the pocket mirror?

 

Charmy,
These would make an awesome exhibit for the next World's Fair of Money!

 

That's a very interesting idea, I've never done an exhibit before. Maybe we could discuss this further on the phone, I'll pm you.

 

Charmy
I will give you a call but I also wanted to give you a link to required reading if you are considering an exhibit for the ANA.

http://www.money.org/numismatic-eve...n-r-eshbachs-preparing-a-winning-exhibit.aspx

Richard

 

Wow, impressive collection. I always liked the pie cutters for some reason. Also like the padlock.

Thanks for sharing Charmy.

 

I sure would like to get one of those IHC teapots sometime. I saw some of those years ago at a coin show and have wanted one ever since.

 

I saw a few sell on eBay for around $25-$30. They are cool as heck.

 

Thank you everyone! Here's a little more info about the teapots:

According to an article that appeared a few years ago in the Numismatist, "n the mid-1930’s, inmates at Massachusetts’ Bridgewater State Prison spent their free time using spoons to shape copper cents into cups, pans and teapots. . . . These miniatures carry a tale as unusual as the teapots are charming. Guards spirited the creations out of the prison and sold them for 10 to 25 cents each. According to ANA Executive Director Emeritus Ed Rochette, exchanges regularly took place at his uncle’s Bridge Diner on Pope’s Island, Massachusettes."

By the way, the watch fob is probably the most rare of the pieces above, but the padlock is also very difficult to find. The little teapots usually go for $25 to $100 depending on whether they are an Indian cent or Lincoln, if the patina is original, whether the lid is removable, and the detail of the design (spout, handle).

 

Very cool. I have a small collection of Canadian exonumia, but that Canadian teapot is something I have never seen before...

 

Really cool collection!

 

Do you happen to know anything regarding the history of Australian one half penny teapots?

I have one that is a 1917