Henry Matthews Sterling Silver Double Sovereign Case, Birmingham 1903

Henry Matthews Sterling Silver Double Sovereign Case — Birmingham, 1903

An Edwardian sterling silver double sovereign case by Henry Matthews of Birmingham, hallmarked for 1903.

The case has an unusual double-compartment form, designed to carry both a full sovereign and a half sovereign. Each compartment retains its spring-loaded coin mechanism, allowing the coins to be held securely while remaining readily accessible.

The exterior is richly decorated with engraved foliate scrollwork surrounding a central cartouche, while the suspension ring allowed the case to be carried on a watch chain or Albert chain.

The interior carries the English silver hallmarks, including the H M maker’s mark for Henry Matthews, the Birmingham anchor, the lion passant for sterling silver, and the 1903 date letter.

Maker: Henry Matthews
Assay Office: Birmingham, England
Date: 1903
Material: Sterling silver (.925)
Type: Double sovereign / half-sovereign case
Period: Edwardian

An interesting South African connection

When acquired, the case still contained a heavily circulated 1933 South African one-shilling coin in one of its compartments.

The shilling is thirty years younger than the case and was never the coin for which the compartment was originally designed. It therefore represents part of the object's later working life rather than its original purpose.

For Antique Hunter, that later history forms part of the story of the piece. The shilling has consequently been retained with the case rather than separated from it.

Research status: IDENTIFIED

Henry Matthews — Birmingham — 1903

Price on Request