Very Strange Item

Well, I've never seen a European who uses snuff and pinches it. They always pour it out onto their hand/finger and snuff it. With that said, matchbox also makes sense to me.

 

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Agreed on the maker, but not on the object...
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1870-eloi-pernet-coin-pill-box-snuff-1505377401

 

They clearly have no real idea what it is either.

 

A few minutes on google will show you that quite a few people believe them to be snuff boxes. I'm sure you've already looked

 

Thanks for the link - I see what you mean. However, this item, does not have any blades, just a lever on top, which when pulled up discloses the interior.

 

Yes, thanks

 

Interesting, never seen things like it for some reason.

Wouldn't that also be very hard to do to a coin?

 

I took a picture with a good camera, which allowed me to zoom in on the tiny script, and yes... It definitely says Eloi Pernet. So, its was Made in France, by Eloi Pernet. They also made snuff boxes, which is more likely what this is, as there are no blades, just an opening.

 

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Well, great. I was in a restaurant and had only half a minute, so I googled Eloi, France and Coin, and I saw fancy pocket knives. Good that you followed it up.