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Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Metal 5 centime coin used as an amulet, with additional hole made adjacent to the standard central hole through which is tied a tricolour ribbon, believed to have been carried by a soldier during the First World War, 1918, from the Lovett collection.
The carrying of ‘lucky charms’ – as protective amulets against ill health and physical danger – is common in many cultures around the world. This small 5 centime coin, through which has been tied a tricolour ribbon was reputedly carried by a soldier fighting during First World War, 1914-1918.
The amulet was bought for the Wellcome collection in 1930 from Edward Lovett’s (1852-1933) collection of British amulets and charms. Lovett was a collector who documented different medical traditions and beliefs.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A79866
- Materials:
- silver, ? material and ribbon, cloth
- type:
- protective amulets
- credit:
- Lovett Collection
