I have been a life long student of the Columbian Exposition of 1893 and in particular of the Columbian Exposition Half Dollar. This has led me to collect all types of ephemera related to the marketing and sale of the coin. Since finding and adding a Columbian Half to one's collection is fairly easy and inexpensive, I was challenged by focusing my collecting efforts on pieces that were rare and even unique. This led to a peripheral collection of love tokens (engraved messages, names and initials),enamels, counterstamps and mint errors all on Columbian half dollars. Another area of interest is vintage jewelry made from Columbian Half Dollars.
I recently added this cigar tip cutter made from a Columbian half Dollar to my collection. The first image shows the obverse of the cutter in the open position. The blade is spring loaded.
The second photo shows the reverse of the cutter in the open position.
The third photo shows the cutter in the closed position. The blade locks in the closed position. By pulling up on the loop on the top of the coin, it releases the blade so that it springs open.
On the top of the blade are the words Patd Jan 30, 94. I was able to find a copy of the patent #513,581 that was awarded to F. H. La Pierre for his design.
His design was for a smooth metal disc with reeded edge and knurling on the end of the blade. I am not sure when he first used his design for a coin, but the mechanism is identical. The workmanship is very good and you cannot see where the coin was taken apart and hollowed out and then put back together. It is the standard thickness of an actual coin. I am sure it was used at one time as a watch fob hanging from a gentlemen's watch chain.
Over the last 25 years, I have seen just three or four examples of this piece. I was very excited to finally be able to add an one to my collection. I would be interested if anyone else has seen this piece before or if you might have any additional information about it. I would also be interested to see other pieces of jewelry similar to this made from a Columbian Half Dollar.
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Posted 02/27/2017 8:52 pm
