Silver Content: Some of the enamel shield charms are Sterling Silver (925 - 92.5% silver), Some are 800 Continental silver (80%) and some are silver plate. Silver plate charms are sometimes marked 100 or not marked at all. It is not unusual for silver charms not to be stamped, but typically they are marked. I sell them as "silver plate" if they are not marked. Please see the specs in the "Description tab" above.
More Info: Most of the travel shield charms that I sell are like new even though they are at least 30-50 years old and never been worn. I also sell many charms that have been removed from vintage charm bracelets that I collect from all over the world. The charms from Germany, Austria and Switzerland are almost all from pre-owned vintage bracelets.
About Shield Charms - These
vintage enamel souvenir travel shield charms were popular with
European, British and American travelers in the 1940's, 1950's 1960's,
1970's, and are highly collectible items today. Women documented their
travels by collecting a souvenir shield charm depicting the town or
country coat of arms, state or country flag, state flowers, museums,
zoos, town crests, a scenic picture of the area, castles, mountain
ranges, famous landmarks or buildings, roadside attractions, animals,
statues, college or high school mascots, a notable person from history
or an event.
The
colorful vintage / retro look is very appealing to collectors and are
quite the conversation piece. Some have a vintage patina and some look
like they are brand new even if they range in age from 30-60 years old.
They are wearable postcards and miniature works of art. The older charms
were hand painted while most in the 1970's were stamped. Many collectors
mix shield charms in with silver charms or other enamel charms.
If
you'd like to see a sampling of bracelets from my personal collection
I'd be happy to show off my bracelets, just ask and I'll send pictures
of them. I make travel bracelets from places I've been, or by theme.
Some themes include famous people from history, flowers, animals,
European castles, ski theme, boats, maps, islands, Italy, etc. These
charms were purchased while traveling or often given to women as gifts
from their sweethearts, husbands or friends who were traveling
abroad. They are rarely found in souvenir shops today.