A recent visit with with my 98yr old Grandmother became even more of a pleasure when she gave me a 100 year old leather pouch filled with old coins.
In 1912, my great grandfather came to Canada to start a new life. Once settled, he arranged for his then fiancé to join him at the home he'd bought since arriving. Two years later she crossed the pond, but before leaving, her father bestowed on her this wise gift. He didn't like the idea of a single woman travelling alone and wanted to make sure she could take care of herself should she find herself waylaid. He said, "As long as you have this pouch, you'll never be poor."
The oldest coin, a penny farthing with King George III on the reverse, is dated 1807. There are some Dutch coins and a Russian Kopeck, from before the assassination of Tsar Nicholas, some with Queen Victoria...
I ebay'd the value of the coins, maybe worth about $300 in all which is not a lot by today's standards. The pouch itself is circa 1910, about £15 on auction sites.
It is rich with history and given with love...for these reasons, as long as I have this pouch, I know I'll never be poor...
