Most of the English love tokens that I've used in my jewelry are 3-pence coins, thin silver coins with portraits of Queen Victoria.
Now, Victoria reigned for decades, and it's fun to watch how she aged--and got plumper--as new coins were minted with updated portraits.
(I have a double chin now too, at age 56, so I identify with the older queen.)
My friend Sandy, my main source for vintage charms and love tokens, explained to me that there were three "Victoria heads."
The "young head," Sandy says, was used until 1887, but a bun was added to the design in 1860, which is useful in dating a love token if the date has been polished off the coin, as often happens.
Next came the "Jubilee head" which Sandy says was a middle-aged looking Victoria and used until 1893. Then came the "old head," which was used until the queen's death.
Of course, the coins remained in circulation and continued to be used to make jewelry, as were coins with King Edward's portrait. I've had a few of these, but I don't find them as appealing as the Victorian love tokens.
Two of the four love tokens in the photo above is spoken for, both of the "young heads." The other two are available. E-mail me if you would like me to make you a bracelet or necklace with one of these. I think garnets or amethysts look wonderful with these coins, but crystals in a subtle shade are another possibility, as are pearls.
I ORDERED ABOUT SIX MORE LOVE TOKENS, SOME OF THE YOUNG VICTORIA AND SOME OF THE MORE MATURE QUEEN. SO SPEAK UP IF YOU WANT A PIECE OF JEWELRY WITH A LOVE TOKEN, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG VICTORIA ONES GO QUICKLY.
This pearl choker would look beautiful with a love token added at the center: Megan Models the Pearl Choker.
Here are two other pieces that I made with love tokens that are for sale:
I've made several similar garnet and love token bracelets, and they always sell very quickly. If you'd like a bracelet similar to this one, send me an e-mail:
I've also been wanting to make a choker-length necklace with five or six strands of garnets and a love token. It would look pretty much like the bracelet, but longer, of course. Here's a necklace in that design with jade and agates:
Feel free to start a conversation with me about how you want your jewelry to look, and also to fit. I enjoy working with my customers to give them exactly what they want. Women who have bought several pieces of jewelry from me seem to be very comfortable telling me exactly what length they want a bracelet or necklace to be, what kind of clasp they want, and so on.
I enjoy that give and take with my customers. Also, if the piece isn't quite right after you receive it, send it back for adjustments: Repairs and Adjustments
The only thing I can't do for free is replace a vintage charm or love token, so if a charm should happen to come off, please keep track of it and mail it back to me for repairs.
Here's the link to Sandy's Web site: Sandy's Vintage Charms
Photo: @ Monica Strasen 2010.
Designs and text: @ Jeanne Sather 2010.
