When looking at eminent coin collections you will often see a separate section dedicated to artifacts that are closely associated to coins and money in general. This will undoubtedly include a number of the finer quality coin purse. As long as money has been in existence so has a convenient means to carry it and the coin purse has always been a firm favorite. Modern days have seen the use of a bag to carry money but only really for practical purposes. The purse is designed to safely hold your money and neatly fit into your pocket or bag in order to keep it away from straying hands and so that you don't need to carry it everywhere you go.
Pockets for men
The earliest introduction of the purse was seen before the 15th century and were small 'pockets' worn by men. These were little sacks that were attached by thongs to the back of a person. Thieves found them very easy to steal by cutting the string, hence why they became known as the cutpurse. By the 15th century men and women were regularly seen carrying purses, or a small moneybag, and as times moved on and riches grew these purses became much more heavily coated in decoration of the highest caliber.
Status symbols
In the 1500's purses and handbags very much became a symbol of your wealth and more and more people carried bags that were very highly decorated. Nearly two centuries later saw the introduction of breeches with pockets, negating the need for men to carry a purse. However, a small moneybag was used to keep money safe in their pockets.
The 18th century
In the 18th century men and women no longer used purses to store their money and only after the French revolution did this change. Women's clothes were made of much thinner material and they were forced to carry a handbag that contained a number of personal items as well as their money. Another turn in fashion saw bigger clothes and, therefore, the return of pockets and disappearance of the handbag. Only the beginning of the twentieth century really saw the return of the handbag and as dresses got skimpier in the 1920's handbags became an invaluable item of clothing for women; gaining in popularity since.
Design and material
An increase in technology has seen the handbag becoming available in more and more different materials, colors and for different occasions. It has become unusual for a woman to only have one handbag. Purses and bags are now available in a great many different materials from the natural to the highly manufactured and with each passing year there are sure to be new designs and new materials used.
The new era of handbags and the purse
Again, there is another dawn of purses and handbags as men are trying to get in on the act. They have realized how indispensable an item it is and are now regularly seen carrying shoulder or hand bags because of the storage and logistical advantages that they have.
A purse for your coin collection
As well as designer purses there are also antique purses and both of these can cost a lot of money. They are available adorned with many different precious metals, precious stones and gems and created from unusual and expensive materials. If you have a coin collection then the perfect way to accompany this collection is an antique purse from around the same time or from the same country as the bulk of your collection. Museums and large collections are doing it so why shouldn't you?
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