As the originals of these coins were used as currency only popular for their silver content, their weight had to be exact. Therefore, there is a small notch removed from the side of this coin so that it would be exactly the specified weight.
Typically, many Islamic coins of the 17th and 18th C. were crudely struck, with parts of the design not clear due to weak or off-center strikes.
I've added a Garnet for its reputed talismanic powers including healing, strength, and protection.
Garnets were often exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to ensure that they would meet again.
Amulets are charms. They are good luck talisman used to protect the wearer from evil spirits and to bring them good fortune.
They are worn in many cultures throughout the world... even our own. (After all, how many of us wear religious medallions — a cross, or a star, or something else.) Some Amulets do have a religious background, while others are worn for good luck.
Why are these Amulets so unique?
I've traveled the world in search of unique jewelry. Many of these Amulets were found with the assistance of museum curators and collectors in various countries, only after I promised to preserve the originals, intact, as part of a collection.
Throughout the world, high-quality pieces are getting harder and harder to find. The old craftsmanship is no longer valued and the few remaining skilled artisans have turned to making more expensive items for the tourist trade. Many of these Amulets are among the few remaining fine examples of their genre. I've had high-quality molds made of each piece and had them individually cast and finished by the same craftsmen that produce reproductions for the world's leading museums. In most instances it is virtually impossible to tell the original from the copy.
Whenever possible, I've tried to collect information about the background of each piece to pass on to the wearer, so that you will be able to enjoy the history, traditions and origins of each Amulet.
In most cultures, people develop symbols to help the them
keep away the evil spirits and to bring them good luck. They wear these symbols around their neck and on their body so that the bad spirits will know that they are a good person and therefore should not be messed with, and the good spirits will know who they are so they can be helped, as the case may be.
The Christian Cross and the Jewish Star of David are two of our current day symbols or “amulets”.
In fact, many non-Christian cultures use a cross as an amulet, just as many non-Jewish cultures use the six-pointed star as a symbol. So, if you are a Hindu from the southern part of India, you might paint the same star on the rump of your water buffalo to keep the bad buffalo spirits away from your property. If you were an Ethiopian farmer from the highlands of the Horn of Africa, you would wear a similar symbol as the leader of the Greek Orthodox church. Or, if you are a nomad in the Sahara Desert, you would wear a hand symbol around your neck to ward off the evil eye. You might also wear a little metal, or wood, or bone box in the shape of a goat skin water holder to ensure that the spirit who looks after people wandering in the desert will not let you run out of water.
Why should we wear Amulets today?
Because they look great! And, who knows ... maybe there really is something to the powers of Amulets, and would you want to miss out on a little extra good luck and protection against evil?
Not me!
Product code: AFGHANI COIN with GARNET, Sterling Silver popular Amulet, 1 1/4" Long, Good Luck Charm, Necklace, on Adjustible Cord