Ways to Say I Love You ... the Victorian Love Token

Engraved and Enameled Initial-F on Victorian Love Token

Ornately Engraved Calligraphic Monogram on Victorian Love Token

She he captured his heart and the love token would express his ardor, Flora would be pleased at receiving the gift and his proposal of marriage. It would be a offering she would cherish always.

A charming memento of Victoriana, is the love token. Love tokens were designed on a coin such as the seated liberty dime. The coin was worked smooth with an ornate decoration carved on one or both sides of the coin. Sometimes, the coin would be inscribed with a loving phrase, or a flower, a bird or other lovely imagery as well as intricately intersecting calligraphic monogramming or a fancy single initial. These coins are nostalgic and romantic vestiges of a lost art. Some of the carvings on love tokens are rudimentary while others are amazing with the implication of love palpable. 

The love token was popular in the latter part of the 1800's into the early 1900's when fashions changed and they were no longer stylish.  Every changing trends... Love tokens are precious antique mementos of a bygone era.  I was blessed to find a coin with my own initials of KS, a treasure indeed! Someday I will find one engraved Mother, I'd love that! xo