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Silver Sovereign PursesClick here to return to Products Catalogue IndexChard 24 Carat Home Page
Georgian Silver Single Sovereign Case
Georgian Silver Single Sovereign Case
Sovereign Cases
Sovereign Purses, usually made in silver, but occasionally in gold, were made to hold about five or six sovereigns. They were usually made to be carried on one end of a gentleman's Albert or watch chain.
They were a status item, and were very fashionable during the reigns of Queen Victoria and Edward VII. The term "Albert" chain was of course named after Queen Victoria's beloved consort Prince Albert, who popularised their use.
The coins were retained by a spring mechanism in a short cylinder. Indeed similar small change holders are still made nowadays, usually moulded in plastic.
Each cylinder held a "bank" of about five or six coins.
Sovereign purses were made in many different styles, from a simple plain single bank sovereign holder, more rarely a half sovereign, sometimes holding a pair of coin banks, sovereign and half sovereign. They are also found combined with Vesta cases (match holders), and other ideas.

Our Stock
We have been fortunate to acquire a collection of sovereign purses. Because we deal in gold sovereigns, with other antique silver and gold items, we probably tend to see more of these than most other dealers. This collection represents over half the number we have seen in a lifetime.

ReferenceDateAssay OfficeMaker
50321909Birmingham 
50331912BirminghamWHB?
50341934BirminghamA.L.Davenport Ltd
50351901BirminghamHenry Williamson Ltd
50361912BirminghamWilliam Hair Haseler
50371907BirminghamSamuel M Levi
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Maker = Sponsor's Mark

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