Metal amulet in the form of a Canadian one cent coin minted 1859

Canadian one cent coin minted 1859 attached to a short chain, used as an amulet by a Canadian soldier during the First World War, 1914-1918, 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 Canadian one cent coin, attached to a small chain, is said to have been carried by a Canadian soldier during the First World War, 1914-1918.

The amulet was bought for the Wellcome collection in 1930 from Edward Lovett’s (1852-1933) collection of mostly British amulets and charms. Lovett was a collector who documented different medical traditions and beliefs.