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Beaded Purses
Rhinestone Handbags
1930's - 1940's - 1950's
Box Purses
Beaded Scenes, Carpets, Birds, Bugs, Animals
Compact Purses &
Carry-alls
Elegant Evening Handbags
Petit Point, Fabric
&
Tapestry Purses
Change Purse &
Coin Holders
Mesh & Metal Purses
Vanity Accessories
Hand Mirrors & Sets
Perfume Bottles
Ladies Compacts
Vintage Jewelry
Personal & Wardrobe Items
Clothing, Linens, Textiles
Celluloid Albums & Boxes
Porcelains from
Around the World
Limoges
Nippon, Noritake &
Occupied Japan
Frames
Art & Decorative
The Treasure Chest
Woodenware
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Change Coin Purses
- Facts & Tips
As long as there has been coin money,
change purses have been in use. Men were the first to carry
coin purses, as they were the sole family member that controlled the
finances during past centuries.
The Ancient Persians would pin there coin pouches to their
undergarments, hence the term "pin money". From early times,
coin purses remained on the belt or under the clothing, allowing for
free hands. During the Middle Ages, small pouches to carry coins
hung from massive chains or jeweled belts.
By 1800, the miser purse, also called the stocking
purse, came into fashion and was worn over the belt for safer
traveling. This elongated bag was knit, crocheted or netted
with silk thread and decorated with fringe, tassels and beads, many
of which were steel cut. The opening of the miser is in the
middle of two larger sections of the purse where a narrow section
remained unbeaded. Two metal rings would push down on each of
the sides to secure the purse after coins were deposited. Many
times miser bags were designed with one round end and one square end
so the owner could distinguish what would be carried on each side.
During the 1800's, little coin purses were
constructed of charming hinged shells, many had vibrant
mother-of-pearl type finishes. Hand painted on the
shells were lovely florals or sentimental inscriptions like "My
heart is Yours". These souvenir purses remained popular
throughout the Victorian era and into the early 1900's.
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The sovereign purse, used through the 1800's,
carried English gold coins. These small purses were made of
leather, suede or metal and sometimes were smaller than an inch in
diameter, made to resemble a locket or pocket watch. They were
hand painted, engraved, embossed and enameled.
The Tam O' Shanter coin purse was a novelty of the
early 1900's. It had a rounded and beaded bottom section which
was attached to a round metal purse top. Often the beadwork
was knit into a star or spiral pattern. The top might have
been sterling but was typically nickel silver over brass with repousse or embossed
designs of coins, portraits and Art Nouveau florals. Magazines offered instructions for making these purses
at home.
By the 1930's, women soon sought the more eloquent coin purses imported from France, Belgium and Austria.
These more elegant change purses would often match or coordinate
beautifully with their full size evening handbag. Though the Depression and World
War II had taken it's toll, women maintained a sense that femininity
must keep it's place in everyday fashion. Woman thought it
admirable to remain pretty despite the economic and social
atmosphere. Since they lacked much to
carry, their change purses became an important accessory for
promoting and preserving style.
Since coins often left behind staining, both men and women have
consistently engaged in carrying a separate purse for their metal
money. Your coin holders and change purses will stay
cleaner if you remove extra coins between use, especially
if you live in the more humid moist climates.
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