Found a saddle shield and a religious pendant dated 1870. Need a translator!

FreeBirdTim

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Sep 24, 2013
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Went back to the Rosa Americana spot this evening. No coins, but I did find a couple of cool relics. I could use some help dating them. I think they're both pre-1900, but I'm not positive.

The first item is a saddle shield. It's a little busted up, but still a nice find. Not sure how old it is, so if anyone has a guess on the age of it, let me know.

The second find is a religious pendant. Not sure if it's really old, but it looks like it has the date "1870" on the back. I'm wondering if it has a military connection, since it has stars on the front, along with a cross. The front has the word "vachette" on it (I think). When I Googled that word, the definition was a calfskin. So maybe my tired eyes are reading it wrong!

The back has a nun, the 1870 date and a lot of printing on it. Can't read it very well, but it looks to be in French. Any help on this one would be appreciated.

Here's a few pics:
 

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Last edited:
Upvote 16
those TM medals are common and have prayers on them and various Catholic saints. made in Italy. some are silver marked .925 or sterling, cheap ones are not marked. got a brass one last week & a few made of aluminum. sure they make 'em in gold for the high rollers.
 

Congratualtions on the nice relics! :occasion14:
 

Tried to get rid of the extra pics, but no luck!
 

Thats a so called "Miraculous Medal" : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miraculous_Medal

Vachette is the name of the workshop that produced them orginally and 1870 would be the date I guess.

Am I the only catholic here?

Greets Namxat

Great ID! Never would have figured that one out. Very interesting find!
 

Both really nice relics. Congrats, Tim! -Lisa & John
 

great finds, love the old stuff
 

I'm no expert, but your "saddle shield", looks too thin from one's I've seen.....however, I have seen ones (with rivets like that), on 'teen's aftermarket radiator ornaments..........
No matter, those are some nice finds!
Congrat's!! (Especially for that fine Rosa Americana!!!) I'm envious!!!

Iowa Dale
 

Nice finds and keep em coming.
 

I'm no expert, but your "saddle shield", looks too thin from one's I've seen.....however, I have seen ones (with rivets like that), on 'teen's aftermarket radiator ornaments

Could be what it is. I'll see if I can find one on eBay or with a Google image search. Thanks for the tip!
 

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