#197-CIVIL WAR SALE: DELICATE, POSSIBLY BRAND NEW, MOURNING PIN/BROOCH

This pin looks as though it has non been used. It is in amazing "like new" condition--new being "new" from the mid-19th century. The front of thepin shows no wear around the edges nor any scratches on the surface or other issues.

The metal surfaces front and back appear to be copper but have no maker's mark nor stamped notations such as "14K, 14K filled for example.

Typically, with mourning pins like this, the person who has lost someone (such as during the Civil War in this case) places an item of remembrance inside that makes a personal statement visible to others. This might be a bit of hair, a photograph or some other small article.

Since we don't know the original ownership, the like-new appearance might indicate that it came from new stock in an 1860s store or from the person who was in mourning and had never used it.

I find items such as this not just historically important, but also of help to bring the era alive for me, for those who read our books and for those who purchase the items. This is the case in manhy items in this sale. Period.