Antique Indian Half Rupee Silver Bracelets

These two heavy antique silver cuffs were made as a pair (or very close - there is a slight difference to the detailing on their terminal points). Their faces consist of Indian half rupee coins welded together with silver ball decoration between each coin, which has then been welded in its entirety to an inner cuff of twisted silver. The welds are high in copper, as evidenced by green oxidisation.

The coins are extremely worn so it is difficult to read an age off any of them. The Indian half rupee was circulated between 1835 and 1947. We read the date off two of the coins as 1918, which would be typical of most of the "coin" silver jewellery we have collected throughout the years.

As circa 1918 coins, they would contain a silver amount of 91.7%. Older or younger coins will vary in their silver content depending on their age, but all half rupees contain a minimum of 50% silver. The inner twisted cuffs are testing to a minimum of 50% silver, but are likely much higher to match the value of the outer rings.

These cuffs are round and rigid in construction and their size can only be altered slightly. Either will fit onto a large wrist or upper forearm, and sit comfortably above the elbow.

These bracelets are pieces of history and are highly unusual in their design. They were acquired by collector Bernard Heaphy during his travels in the 1980's.

Please note that they are priced per piece.

Measurements: Inside width 8 cm (3.1"), height 1.8 cm.