WWII era trench art coin bracelet given to Ethel by Eileen and John

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c. 1943

Overview

World War Two era trench art Australian coin bracelet. It features a central shilling flanked by two sixpences and five threepences, the last threepence being the catch. The coins range in date from 1934 to 1943.
Each coin has a small ring soldered to either side through which a larger linking ring is threaded.
The central florin has had the obverse detailing removed to leave a smooth surface. This has been engraved with the text 'To Ethel from Eileen and John'.
The catch is quite intricate, being made from two threepences soldered to a metal spacer, creating a void into which the tongue of metal at the opposite end can be inserted.
The end is made from a flat rectangular piece of metal which is folded over and has a smaller rectangular tag which is bent upwards. The whole piece is then inserted into the void which forces the two sides together. This is achieved by squeezing both sides. Once inside, the metal piece spreads again to secure the bracelet.

Historical information

This sweetheart bracelet is one of a large number of items in the collection made from coins. These include jewellery such as brooches and bracelets, small photo frames,and other bric a brac.
Many of these items were made by servicemen and could be called trench art. This is sometimes confirmed by engraving on the reverse side of the coins.

The identities of Ethel, Eileen and John are unknown. Although the coins date from 1934-1943, the bracelet cannot have been made before the latest year.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01060

Item type

Collectibles

Jewellery

Metalwork

Souvenirs

Themes

Social History

War and Conflict

War and Conflict > World War 2