PRE-ORDER until Monday 18th Nov. The Bard - A Replica Pendant of a Token Memorialising the Life of Shakespeare, Silver and Gold.

The Bard 

Never has their been a greater literary love affair than that of fans and the works of William Shakespeare. More famous now than he ever was in his own lifetime, there have been between 2 and 4 billion copies of his works sold. 

This token is a memorial of the man and his birthplace, and we have never seen another like it and know next to nothing of its history. Cast in copper, this piece has been well loved. The original bail had snapped off and there is a dent where it has been hit. What this tells us is this piece was well loved - and kept even after it was broken. Copper tokens began in 1787 and became popular in the Victorian times with shop keepers and as collectors items or novelty pieces. Shakespearean tokens have been recorded as far back as 1657; however this is not that old. We believe this piece to be made in the 20th Century - based on the size and detail - but do not imagine it to be recent. The attention to detail in the "Stratford on Avon" tells us this was likely a piece from the district rather than the town - and along with copper being phased out entirely by the 1900s (even in legitimate currency) due to costs means this was likely made in the first half of the Century. 

Bearing a fantastic image of the house in which Shakespeare was born, this image is much more like the restored version (which happened in 1847) than the original and bears  the phrase "SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHPLACE STRATFORD ON AVON"

On the reverse is a similar image to the Droeshout portrait of William Shakespeare which appeared on the first Folio and a "signature" which is not like any of the signatures recorded on file - but it is elegant and looks like it was written by a wordsmith - so we feel that that was likely intentional.  It also gives his years of birth and death - so it does cover many of the facets of the man and really proves to be a great memento of someone who's work we still value and regard as enlightened.

Available in Gold and Silver 

In the Sterling Silver option - You can also order this with or without a chain - chains are brand new sterling silver curb chains in two lengths - 45cm or 50cm - they are the chain pictured with the high polish pendant in the "Shakespeare" photos.

In ordering one of these, please allow 3 weeks to have this ready for posting. Also please know that the silver ones will come in the high polished variety, but the patina  will build over time.

Particulars:

Weight approx 2.75g each (both gold and silver)

Coin approx 16.75mm round - whole pendant approx 16.75 x 20.85 x 1.45mm hanging from a soldered jump ring of 6.3mm- 6.5mm with an opening of approx 3.5mm -3.8mm

Hallmarks - none 

Condition - These are replica pendants of the token - not the original coin. Wear to the coin that was from the original includes dents in the edging. Each pendant hand finished. Patina will build over time - these will arrive in the polished variety.