Historical information

This bracelet was sent by a seafarer Mariner Merrilees while in Australia in the 1940s to his sister Marjorie, who lived on Manitoulin Island, Canada. The bracelet was received in a Mission to Seamen Christmas Greetings cardboard box in 1943.This bracelet was inherited by the donor, and kindly donated to the current collection of the Mission to Seafarers Victoria.

Significance

This world war 2 era gift of a bracelet is significant in not only demonstrating the international significance to seafarers of the various Missions to seamen who facilitated contacts with family as illustrated by the gift box but in this instance the gift is also of historic numismatic interest.

Physical description

19 Silver Peruvian ½ Dino coins made in 1902 linked to be used as a bracelet. The full piece contains 19 coins attached by metallic weld linked pieces and a silver spring clasp to hold ends together.

Inscriptions & markings

Front side, FIRME Y FELIZ POR LA UNION / ½ DINO / LIBER / TAD
Back side, REPUB : PERUANA LIMA 9 D : FINO J/F 1902
Coins Images:
Front side, Woman sitting and holding a shield in her right hand and a paddle in her left hand. At the right side of the coin, there is a pedestal with a Laurel or olive leaf wreath on top and a ribbon with the word liberty in Spanish “LIBERTAD”.
Back side, code of arms with a stamped inscription that said “REPUBLICA PERUANA LIMA 9D” dated from 1902.