Sweetheart brooch made from two American dimes - 1886

This brooch has been made from two 1886 dated United States Seated Liberty Dimes (10 cents) which are made from 90% silver, 10% copper.
Although sweetheart brooches are more commonly associated with the world wars, they were first made around the time of the date on these coins.

According to the National Museum of American History, 'In the late 1880s, an intense craze emerged where people transformed circulating silver pocket change into unique romantic keepsakes. The 1886 Seated Liberty dime was a prime target for this custom.

A person (often a sailor, soldier, or suitor) would take a silver dime, sand one side completely smooth, and meticulously engrave it by hand. The smoothed side was etched with elaborate floral motifs (like forget-me-nots for remembrance or ivy leaves for eternal love), intertwined initials, or specific dates. The finished tokens were then pierced and linked together to form sweetheart bracelets, brooches, or pendants.

Due to their silver-copper composition, these coins were soft enough to engrave cleanly but durable enough to be worn daily as a constant reminder of a partner.

This example is quite plain, with no extra engraving or decoration, but there are other examples held in the collection which are more detailed and decorative.