Posted 7 years ago
RRP
(24 items)
THIS IS AN OLD VINTAGE ST CHRISTOPHER MEDAL OR WATCH FOB
ST CHRISTOPHER PROTECT US ON ONE SIDE
TRYING TO LEARN A LITTLE MORE ABOUT IT
IT SAYS ITALY UNDERNEATH PROTECT US
POSSIBLY HAS THE INITIALS GB AS WELL, BELOW THE HOUSE OR BUILDING ON THE RIGHT SIDE BUT VERY HARD TO GET THE INITIALS TO SHOW WELL IN A PHOTO.
QUITE OLD - IT CAME TO ME ON AN ANTIQUE WATCH FOB
It's a religious medallion. It's purpose is to protect travelers. Perhaps made in the earlier part of the 20th century.
Hi, Thanks for the reply.
I know it is a St Christopher's medallion, Patron Saint of Travellers
I am try to work out it's age and maybe whence it came given the script on the front with Cristophorvs
It reads, "Christophorus". The "V" is the Latin version of a "U". The "v" is read as "v" or "u" depending on the word.
That will be quite an undertaking. I don't think it will be possible to find out where it was originally made as the engraver didn't sign it. I have a St. Norbert medallion posted on my page that is signed, so traceable.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/163766-medallion-of-st-norbert
I just read your remarks Efesgirl, thanks.
Just took a look under a magnifier...
It says ITALY below PROTECT US.
And below the "house" on the other side I think it might be the initials GB
OK then, that changes the ball game. Italy doesn't come as a surprise, since the Vatican is there. :-))) Finding out who the engraver is might be another story. Clean the area carefully with plain white toothpaste and a soft children's toothbrush. Maybe the initials will become clearer.
I didn't really want to polish it, but I'm pretty sure it is GB as it doesn't fit in with the rest of the engraving. I just can't get it to show up well in a pic. The B is quite worn on the right side.
If the token is old, you may be able to find this image in other media, an engraving, for example, and find the artist's name that way. Good luck in your search.
Removing surface dirt from a coin is about the only cleaning that should be done. When handling or cleaning coins, you should wear cotton or polyethylene gloves (not latex). To remove surface dirt, wash the coin in lukewarm distilled water with a mild liquid soap. Do not scrub the surface. To rinse, use a cotton swab dipped in distilled water. Regular tap water contains chlorine, which can leave chloride on the surface of the coin that eventually leads to corrosion.
The GP means Gold Plated on the right underneath the house it is not initials, I have the very same medal with me and I am stuck- cant figure out when it was made ????