2017-08-07 Mon

Various types of altered coins have been featured on the third edition of MEGA RED (the Deluxe Edition of the Guide Book of United States Coins). It also has an eight-page illustrated study of love tokens.

Coins are smoothed flat to make love tokens. The sides are hand-engraved with a special message for a loved one or a family member. The messages include anniversary dates, a lover’s initials, or special symbols like a heart, blue birds, or flowers. Over 100 love tokens, from small half dimes and gold dollars to silver dollars and gold Double Eagles have been featured in the book.

Experts believe that the tradition began in Great Britain in 1600. Liberty Seated dimes have been commonly used as love tokens in the US. Love tokens became popular again during World War II. Women waiting at home would wear “sweetheart jewellery” to honour their loved ones who were fighting overseas. Necklaces or bracelets of foreign coins (mostly Australian) were engraved by soldiers and sailors.

The market value cannot be standardised because each love token is unique. The MEGA RED book has a catalogue of love tokens that have been sold recently, along with pricing. The list includes Liberty Seated and Morgan silver dollars, trade dollars, an Australian sweetheart bracelet, silver quarters and Half Dollars, foreign and U.S. gold coins etc.

The revised edition also talks about special modern gold coins, So-Called Dollars, hobo nickels, chop-marked coins, and modern U.S. Mint gold and silver medals.