The inscribed examples are unmistakably love tokens but we should still appreciate the skill and artwork involved.
The “Bender” love tokens are perhaps not so obvious. It is thought that a young man would prove his love to his young lady by physically bending a coin in front on her. Often this was done on sixpences but occasionally we see it on gold coins and copper coins. The theory is that if the young man gives the coin to the young lady and she keeps (treasures) it, then he’s a happy soul (and hopefully so is she). If she takes it and throws it away into the field, then maybe it’s time to move on to pastures new! The old Nursery Rhyme about the man finding a “crooked sixpence” was maybe based on finding a discarded bender love token?
The “Gem-Insert” later Victorian types epitomise the sentimental Period from which they emanate.
Charles
II
WM-2569: 1670 Charles II Maundy
4d Love Token. Typical “Bender”
Love Token. £14
WM-3721: 1700 William III Silver Groat. “Bender” love token that some enterprising person has straightened out and presumably used as currency. £15
WM-2753: 1723 George I Sixpence. A “Bender” Love Token. £19
WM-2674: 1732 Farthing – “Bender”
Love Token. Typical of the Love
Tokens of the day but unusual in that it’s done on a farthing as opposed to the
usual 6d’s or shillings. Maybe this
suitor was financially challenged?! £14
WM-3724: EF 1762 George III Gold Quarter Guinea. EF detail but bent as a Love Token (bender). Can be straightened out. See George III section
WM-3722: 1787 George III Silver Sixpence. High grade, remains of guilding and inscribed “A.H.” as a love token. £19
WG-3321: 1824 George IV Half
Sovereign. EF+ detail but has been
a “Bender” Love Token and subsequently straightened in history. See George IV section
Victoria
WM-2264: 1890’s Silver 3d Love Token – “M.M.B.” Hand engraved. £13
