Edwardian Coin Purse Silver
These pieces of edwardian coin purse silver bring together practical pocket design and period metalwork.
Edwardian Coin Purse Silver
When you search for edwardian coin purse silver, you are looking at small personal accessories designed for carrying currency, sovereign coins, or evening essentials. The selection on this page ranges from compact sovereign cases to chain link cocktail purses and silver mounted leather designs.
The pieces span periods including the Victorian era, the Edwardian years, and the reign of George V, with materials reaching beyond plain metal to include crocodile skin, glass beads, fabric, and guilloché enamel. Most examples date from the early twentieth century and reflect the prevailing styles of the period.
Forms include single and double sovereign cases alongside evening bags and mesh purses. These items served a daily function for the well-dressed individual before transitioning into collectible antiques.
How edwardian coin purse silver pieces were made
Makers utilised sterling silver and silver mesh alongside contrasting materials such as crocodile leather, brass, and woven fabric. Metal components were shaped, stamped, and polished, while enamel was applied in decorative patterns under glass or clear glaze.
Chain links and fine mesh required precise joining to create flexible, tactile surfaces that could withstand daily use. Sovereign cases relied on spring-loaded mechanisms and tight tolerances to secure coins safely inside.
Edwardian Coin Purse Silver Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for edwardian coin purse silver among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings for this phrase include examples in sterling silver, crocodile leather, and guilloché enamel across Edwardian and George V periods.
What varies in quality
The quality of these items depends upon the crispness of the hallmarking, the integrity of the hinges and clasps, and the condition of supplementary materials like enamel or leather. Finer pieces display careful engraving and robust construction that holds firm after a century of handling.
Simpler versions rely on basic stamped sheet silver without intricate decoration, whereas superior examples incorporate specialised techniques like guilloché enamel or fine chain mail links produced by named makers.
Charles Penny Brown·Aaron Lufkin Dennison·The Boots Company·Robert Cawley·G. Norman·Henry Charles Freeman·Fredericks Ltd
The Edwardian Coin Purse Silver Glossary
- Sovereign case
- A small, rigid metal container sized precisely to hold one or two gold sovereign coins securely on the person. These cases often featured spring clips or hinged compartments.
- Guilloché enamel
- A decorative technique where a precise pattern is mechanically engraved into metal beneath a translucent layer of coloured enamel. This creates a shimmering, reflective surface popular in luxury items.
- Chain mail
- Interlinked metal rings forming a flexible fabric used for evening bags and purses. The density and gauge of the rings determine the drape and weight of the piece.
- Hallmark
- A set of official marks stamped on precious metals indicating the standard of purity, the assay office, and the date letter. These marks provide definitive evidence of origin and age.
Edwardian Coin Purse Silver: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean tarnished silver purses?
Silver accessories develop a natural patina over decades of exposure, which many collectors prefer to leave undisturbed. If cleaning is necessary, use a soft microfibre cloth designed for silver to gently remove surface dirt without harming delicate hinges or enamel.
Avoid soaking items that combine silver with fabric, leather, or beads, as moisture can damage the non-metal components. Gentle spot cleaning is safer for mixed-material evening bags.
Were sovereign cases used daily?
Sovereign cases were carried daily in pockets or attached to watch chains by gentlemen and ladies who transacted business in gold coinage. The spring mechanisms were engineered for frequent opening and closing.
Over time, heavy use resulted in minor wear to the spring clips and exterior shell, though many surviving examples retain their mechanical function.
What is the difference between a coin purse and a sovereign case?
A coin purse is typically a soft pouch or a framed mesh bag designed to hold a variety of loose currency notes and coins. They often include fabric linings or chain handles for evening wear.
A sovereign case is a rigid, pocket-sized metal enclosure made specifically to fit standard gold sovereign coins. They prioritize a secure, rattle-free fit over general storage capacity.
How can I date an unmarked silver purse?
Dating relies heavily on hallmarks stamped into the metal, which record the assay office and a specific year letter. Stylistic cues such as Art Nouveau curves or Edwardian proportions also help narrow down the period.
When hallmarks are absent, construction methods like machine-stamped links or specific clasp designs offer clues to whether a piece originates from the late nineteenth century or the 1920s.