Edwardian sterling silver coin holder

[dond]

I got this coin holder with some other non-related items.  I'm wondering what coins would have gone in it?  The slots are 25mm and 26mm respectively.

[paul wood]

They were designed to hold sovereigns and half-sovereigns. very popular second half 19th century-1914 when gold ceased to be in general circulation. The came in gold  silver-gilt and silver, depending on the affluence of the purchaser. There are collectors of these and yop end gold one can make good prices.

p

[dond]

Thanks Paul.  Its a nifty little piece of kit.  I guess with my next stimulus check I'll have to hunt down a sovereign and a half sovereign to put in it.  It seems they had a gadget for everything back in the day.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hmm... I was hoping it held something more exotic.....

[dond]

Condoms perhaps?

[Chris Boonzaier]

7 hours ago, dond said:

Condoms perhaps?

You read my mind ... guess everyone becomes a dirty old man later in life... just the 25,, and 26mm made me doubt that...

[paul wood]

Chris, I think you are thinking of lot 1 in the famous Mentmore sale held by Sotheby's in the 1970s "A French Letter Opener"

p

[Claudius]

Sorry, late to this thread.

 

What a nifty looking device.  Look at all those hallmarks and silvermarks!  On the underside and on each of the coin holders.  If I understand them correctly, you can trace down the manufacturer and the exact year it was made with them.

I see it was engraved on the top and underneath by two different owners that used it at different time periods? 

[dond]

Correct, Made by John Gilbert of Birmingham in 1900.  The other name engraved inside the lid was the former collector.  Evidently he did all his stuff like that.....

[Claudius]

Ahh, thanks. 

 

The addition of the coins looks great!