Posted 6 months ago
scottvez
(554 items)
This sweetheart jewelry pin was made in Australia during WW2.
There was a thriving market among US soldiers to buy these, with the heart shaped items being the most common.
This particular pin was purchased by "TCT" and was "To Mother"-- most likely from the US as this is where is recently surfaced. In addition the second heart is engraved "New Guinea, 1944".
The back shows that it was cut from a 1941 Australian Silver Florin!
Most of this type were originally inset in plexiglass and worn as necklaces. This example has lost its aircraft plexiglass holder (or it could be an unfinished piece). It is doubtful that it was finished this way as it has no holes to allow it to be worn.
I have several other examples of these-- several currently posted on Collectors Weekly.
Reproduction of these images is not authorized.
scott
The Killer Mobile Device for Victorian Women
If These Shirts Could Talk: The Tantalizing Tales Behind Used Clothes
Gloriously Grotesque 19th-Century Pipes
In the Hot Seat: Is Your Antique Windsor a Fake?
Bizarro Beauty Products, from 1889 to Now
Love at First Kite: How Pizza and Pente Led to One Oklahoman's High-Flying Obsession
Pin-Up Queens: Three Female Artists Who Shaped the American Dream Girl
Say Ahhh: An Oral Surgeon's Quest to Reimagine the Garage-Band Guitar
Tokens for Sweethearts, in Times of War
American Picker Dream, Part I: Mike Wolfe On His Love Affair With Bikes



Fabulous, I've not seen this use of a florin before!
Thanks vetraio. The use of Australian coins for this was very popular during the War. Here is an example of a pin in my collection:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/70173-ww2-souvenir-sterling-sweetheart-jewelry
scott
Here is another example in the full necklace form. The back of the coin is not visible, but I would bet it is Australian as well:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/61555-ww2-trench-art-sweetheart-necklace
scott
Thanks mikko and walksoftly!
scott
Thanks bellin!
scott
Merry Christmas scott
Thanks petey-- Merry Christmas to you as well!
scott
Thanks inky and official!
Happy Holidays.
scott