HistoryArtifacts

710 readers

112 users here now

Just a community for everyone to share artifacts, reconstructions, or replicas for the historically-inclined to admire!

Generally, an artifact should be 100+ years old, but this is a flexible requirement if you find something rare and suitably linked to an era of history, not a strict rule. Anything over 100 is fair game regardless of rarity.

OTHER COMMS IN THE HISTORYVERSE:

founded 8 months ago

MODERATORS

PugJesus@piefed.social

Deceptichum@quokk.au

Gold coins gifted in hopes of a successful marriage, Spain, 17th century AD (media.piefed.social)

submitted 1 week ago by PugJesus@piefed.social to c/historyartifacts@piefed.social

2 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] PugJesus@piefed.social 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

https://www.lesenluminures.com/artworks/categories/8/9962-ldquo-arras-rdquo-wedding-coins-with-box-spain-17th-century/

[–] OfCourseNot@fedia.io 4 points 1 week ago

Obligatory disclaimer: not a historian, or an expert on any of these things really, so don't quote me. But:

There're a few things a bit off in that site's description:

one side with clasped right hands with the inscription “LA FERME ME CONTANTE” (the constant faith), and on the other side a Maltese cross with “S MARIA IESV” (Saint Mary Jesus). The initial “F” is engraved inside the lid and box (maybe the initial of the bride or shared surname?).

First, it doesn't say 'S MARIA IESV', it says 'MARIA IESVS' (ie 'MARÍA JESÚS), you can see the stars separating the two names.

Second, 'LA FERME ME CONTANTE' doesn't translate in Spanish to 'the constant faith', in fact it doesn't translate to anything, that's not Spanish. I think it's French (my French's not great, much less my 17th century French), and I would say it means 'Steadfastness (not quite sure, it could mean literally 'the farm') contents me'.

Third, we don't have shared surnames in Spain, never have, so the 'F' most certainly isn't that. Since it's hidden inside the lid and box it could be the mark of the goldsmith that made it, I don't really know.