Antique Sterling Coin Purse
An antique sterling coin purse brings tactile elegance to the pocket, offering heavy silver mounts and fitted interiors that outlast modern alternatives.
Antique Sterling Coin Purse
When you search for an antique sterling coin purse, you discover a range of pocket accessories spanning the Victorian, Edwardian, and George V periods. The selection includes compact sovereign cases alongside delicate evening bags and cocktail purses.
Most items you encounter combine solid sterling silver frames with fitted compartments of leather, crocodile skin, or fabric lining. Makers of the era designed these pieces for daily utility, whether holding gold coins for carriage fares or carrying cards to evening events.
How they were made
Silversmiths constructed the rigid frames and sovereign holders from heavy sterling silver, often finishing them with engraved scrollwork or polished plain surfaces. Assay office marks stamped into the metal record the year of creation and the town of manufacture.
Flexible sections rely on fine chain link mesh, woven silk, or stitched leather joined securely to the silver mounts. Artisans applied intricate techniques such as blue guilloche enamel or petit point embroidery to decorate the exterior surfaces.
One Victorian purse thoughtfully detaches into two separate parts, perfect for indecisive owners who cannot choose between carrying a coin holder or a bag.
What varies in quality
The distinction between standard items and superior examples lies in the weight of the silver frame and the crispness of any engraved or chased decoration. Pieces featuring specialised additions, such as detachable compartments or multi-tone enamel work, demonstrate higher manufacturing ambition.
Condition of the interior textiles and internal leather linings also defines the overall grade. Intact stitching and well-preserved silk or kidskin retain the integrity intended by the original workshop.
Charles Penny Brown·Aaron Lufkin Dennison·The Boots Company·Robert Cawley·G Norman·Henry Charles Freeman·Wright and Davies·Ludwig Krumm
The Antique Sterling Coin Purse Glossary
- Guilloche enamel
- A decorative technique involving precise engine-turned patterns beneath a translucent layer of coloured glass enamel. It appears frequently on early twentieth-century vanity items and mesh purses.
- Sovereign case
- A small, rigid metal container engineered to hold British gold sovereign or half-sovereign coins securely on a spring-loaded mechanism. They are often suspended from a pocket chain or chatelaine.
- Petit point
- A style of highly detailed needlepoint embroidery stitched over a single thread of canvas mesh. These textiles form the soft body panels of decorative evening purses.
- Chain mail
- Interlinked metal rings forming a flexible fabric used for evening bags and cocktail purses. The fabric drapes fluidly while maintaining metallic strength.
- Assay office mark
- Official stamps indicating the purity of the silver, the town where it was tested, and the date letter for the year. They provide reliable dating for British manufactured pieces.
Antique Sterling Coin Purse: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sovereign case?
A sovereign case is a compact metal container designed specifically to hold gold coins safely in the pocket. Internal spring mechanisms keep the coins firmly in place until released.
These pieces reflect the monetary habits of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras when gold circulated freely in daily commerce. Today they serve as pocket talismans or unique card cases.
How do I date a silver purse?
You date British silver by examining the hallmarks stamped directly into the metal mounts. These include a standard mark for sterling silver, a town mark, and a specific date letter.
Comparing the letter against standard assay office tables reveals the exact year the item was hallmarked. Stylistic clues like Art Nouveau curves or Edwardian proportions offer further confirmation.
Are crocodile skin purses durable?
Crocodile skin provides exceptional durability due to the natural toughness of the hide's scale structure. When combined with sturdy sterling silver frames, these accessories withstand regular handling.
Proper conditioning keeps the leather supple and prevents drying over time. This resilience explains why many survive in remarkably sound condition today.