Silver coin bracelet found Indian made or not? SOLVED

[oldbattleaxe]

This coin bracelet is made of Centavos dating 1880's to 1890's. All of the coins are dated pre 1900. What is unusual is that all of the coins have been cut around the dates and writings, leaving only that part of the coins. How, when, and why would this bracelet have been made? I cannot figure out how they would have cut around the eagles and dates with carving or a small chisel. I know that in the late 1800's the american indians were taught how to silversmith by Mexicans. Could this be around that period?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[oldbattleaxe]

Re: Silver coin bracelet found Indian made or not?

1

 

[kuger]

Re: Silver coin bracelet found Indian made or not?

That was a darn skilled Indian!!!!Looks lazer cut to me

 

[oldbattleaxe]

Re: Silver coin bracelet found Indian made or not?

You are right. it would be hard to do. So I guess they were cut recently and that a laser was used

 

[Kenosha Kid]

Re: Silver coin bracelet found Indian made or not?

I doubt it's American Indian made; they would typically incorporate their designs into jewelry. Either, a Mexican silversmith with a very steady hand and lots of time...or more probable, it's machine cut (?), though why use coins from the 1880's?

You can find a lot of these made in Mexico and throughout Central & South America (usually 1930s-1950s vintage), some even cut out similar to yours.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/360331...ea69b14&itemid=360331257503&ff4=263602_304662

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-mexican-coin-bracelet-20-centavos

http://www.rubylane.com/item/168421-CC-4144/1930x92s-x96-1940x92s-Vintage-Mex78ican

http://www.rubylane.com/item/168421-CC-4144/1930x92s-x96-1940x92s-Vintage-Mex78ican

This one is hand cut (quite the difference from yours):

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1921-chile-10-centavos-7-cut-out-coins-vintage

 

[Broken knee]

I do believe the work would have been preformed with a fret saw. And a lot of time
Broken Knee

 

[hunterV3]

Was this dug? I don't know how someone could lose something that big and not know it. Really neat piece of jewelry.

 

[oldbattleaxe]

A saw would be more like it. I would think a laser is a modern method and this was done many years ago. It was found in an old trunk with lots of costume jewelry.

 

[Broken knee]

A saw would be more like it. I would think a laser is a modern method and this was done many years ago. It was found in an old trunk with lots of costume jewelry.

If you look at the inside cut edge you should see saw marks as a ragged edge?
The first time I watched this being done was at the big E fair grounds in Ma. The guy was using Mercury dimes.
It is hard to tell from your pic but the individual letters from coin to coin will not be identical? Each one being done by hand they will be close but show slight variations in each. I hope this helped.
Broken Knee

 

[oldbattleaxe]

You are correct Broken Knee, there are saw marks. What would you date this procedure? These coins being 1880 and up, I would think they were done quite early in the century. Not one coin is done the same. Bill

 

[Broken knee]

You are correct Broken Knee, there are saw marks. What would you date this procedure? These coins being 1880 and up, I would think they were done quite early in the century. Not one coin is done the same. Bill

It could have been done any time after being coined. So to date it would be just a guess, are there any hallmarks on the clasp?That would help.
Broken Knee

 

[Red James Cash]

Native americans were more skilled than many people think. Going back around 1675 many east coast native american villages did have blacksmiths and gunsmiths. When a native blacksmith died he was buried with his tools of his trade.

 

[AU24K]

If it was hand cut, it would have had to have been cut with a jewelers saw.
I used to cut coins like that back in the 70's. Those blades snap VERY easily!

Best,
Scott

 

[oldbattleaxe]

Thanks for the education my friend. That must be the method on these coins. Is this bracelet worth more as scrap silver?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

No its worth more sold as a hand cut hand made bracelet.

 

[Kieth-Tx]

Here is a hat pin a buddy dug that is similar. I believe the coin is 1856.

 

[oldbattleaxe]

It is made the same way as my coins. That is quite interesting. Above I had described a web site that talked about silversmithing taught to the american indians which gave them the start to make jewelry. They dated that time around 1870's or so. Maybe these cut pieces were from that era and could be the beginning of that time. The coins on the one I have look like they had never been used when they were cut which would indicate that the work was done near the dates. The soldering technique was taught by the Mexicans at that date. I will see if I can find the site that tells this story. There are no markings or hallmarks.