very nice, I really like them! What did they charge you? I have paid from $5 up to $30 (for a trade $ love token-- I really got a good buy on that one.)
Here is one I bought for my Duaghter - I will give it to her when she gets older. The maker that made this way-back-when was very skilled at carving coins. The details on yours is also very nice! Nice find!
Thanks everyone! I think we both found a great piece of art! Frank - I have wondered about the Black - It has the (wonderful) appearance of ink as it appears to be part of the surface. I would have thought Enamel or Paint would be raised.?. The pictures hide the amount of dark toning in the star fields around the letters. Not knowing anything about how the craftsman did the lettering I am afraid to ever have anything done to affect the toning. My first and sometime lingering thoughts are that the bright silver would really make the letters pop if the darker toning was removed. There are quite a few concerns that come to mind right away when I have these thoughts like: What the toning would be like in the future even if the letters were not affected. Who would I approach to remove the toning (Jeweler or Coin dealer experienced coin restoration) I often end up at - I am way to afraid the Letters would be damaged in such a process (regardless of the expertise) and that the obvious age/genuine antique appearance of the piece would be forever lost or negatively affected. This is not a piece I will ever be careless with... When this was first made I am sure the silver against the letters must have been a sight to see! Regardless of the toning, I do hope my Daughter cherishes it and always thinks of me when she looks at it!
The 1885 Seated Dime, Have to wonder if that was an S.. : ) Don't know what denomination the seated cufflink is.. Quarter or Halve either one, most of that date are semi-keys.
Half - I think it was originally done as a lapel piece. I think it's too big for a cuff-link. Everything about it says the work was done a very long time ago. I doubt back then they were thinking in terms of key dates?
WOW. It’s hard to cry over damaging a coin when the results are so beautiful. You two have some nice love tokens.
Exactly - I agree - the end result is a piece of art that a very skilled craftsman labored over. Thank you!