The Defaced Coin & The Suffragette Movement

Ahoy there!  I think I owe you all a bit of an explanation for having not posted a blog post for some months now.  I'll be honest, I think I took on a bit too much last year and trying to find the time to juggle it all, while making sure everything that I was putting out was of a decent quality, proved to be a real challenge.  In October last year I also lost a childhood friend suddenly and unexpectedly, which hit me for six and added to my stress and anxiety levels.

So, I had to take a step back, re-group and re-evaluate.  I came to the decision that although I love writing this blog, doing it weekly, on top of everything else, is probably a bit unnecessary.  With this in mind, I've decided that I will only write, as and when I have something exciting to write about.  Quality over quantity... I hope...!

Which brings me on nicely to the subject of this blog post.  While out and about last week I stumbled across a rather exciting find.  It's a rare early 20th century silver 2 Shillings Florin which has been defaced with the wording 'Votes For Women' to the front and 'WSPU' (Womens Social and Political Union) to the back. 

Now, defacing money was, and is illegal, yet counter-marking the coins was likely seen to be an effective method of advertising the suffragette cause whilst also demonstrating an ideological protest against male authority figures and a political system which disenfranchised women. Groups of suffragettes had been peacefully lobbying for the right to vote since the mid-1800s. The suffragette movement grew in the early 1900s, perceiving these peaceful methods to have been ineffective. They were willing to break the law in order to convey their message. 

While there are a lot of fakes and reproductions out there, this coin was displayed with other items in Taggs Island Museum during the late 1960’s and again in Syon Park History on Wheels Museum in the early 1970’s, in the Social History and War Department.  This is a super piece of important social history which ultimately contributed to the extraordinary fight of women across the country to have the right to vote.

In 1918 a small proportion of women were granted suffrage and by 1928 all women over the age of 21 were given the right to vote.

You'll be pleased to hear that this super piece is currently available to buy HERE

Well, that's it for this week folks!  I hope you've enjoyed my first blog post of 2023 and I must honest, it feels good to be back!  Keep your eyes peeled for my next instalment which could come at any time.  And, whilst I have you here, I just want to say a huge thank you for all of your patience, understanding and support.

Remember, if you enjoy my posts, please show your support by subscribing to my 'Source Social' membership, which you can do via the 'Home' page.  It's free and gives you a blog post directly to your inbox, as well as exclusive deals and discounts, and first dibs on new items before they are added to our website.

So, until next week, stay safe, keep buying those antiques and keep spreading that Source Vintage love!

Cheerio!
 
Stephen
Owner Source Vintage

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