December 2024
An Artful Look at Coins
In every culture there is currency. Today, we have digitized currency in many ways, such as Bitcoin and more. But for most of human history, coins have been physical objects that carry much social and artistic significance, often more than meets the eye. ​​​​In my travels I have collected many coins which, for me, are interesting for their imagery and story more than any monetary value they may hold.
The Widow’s Mite is one of the most famous coins in history and are referenced in the books of Luke and Mark in the Bible. In these ancient stories, a poor woman gave everything she had, two coins, to charity. This story, and others like it, represent the power of selflessness. She gave to others in sacrifice of herself.
Another source of rich historical coins comes from the Byzantines, whose gold coins were made in a time when a part of Europe had no military distractions. During this period craftsmen focused on the arts. The back of some coins from that era include images of the king’s family in repose, indicating a focus on leisure, culture, and the arts.
In times rife with conflict, coins were confiscated, melted down, then re-processed with the conquering leaders’ image impressed into them. This is why currency is such an important historical artifact, it reflects the social and militaristic realities of the times in which they were crafted.
Many of the coins in my collection do not have a specific origin. The imagery on them can be simply markings from a long time gone by. These markings inspire some of the textures that I create in my jewelry. Because my work is focused on sustainability, as much as artistry, many of the materials I utilize are found objects, which I repurpose. This method stitches me into the story of the material I am using, which I have been allowed to serve as the steward for a brief time.
While customers will often request an encasement for one of their coins, I keep the sensibility of the coin in mind. Their message, to me, is to remember my place in the life of an object. For a time, I am the one who is responsible for it. Then, it could be you. You could pass it on to a loved one. We are all in service to the world around us, and it is our duty to take care of things we have the privilege to be responsible for. In a way, coins connect us with this message. Looking at an ancient coin today, you see the contents of someone’s livelihood, their savings, the means by which they hoped to achieve their dreams. Their beauty and design reinforces this message and informs the work I do every day.
