A little more detail…

I have cut this sweet little pendant from a Victorian Sterling Silver Shilling. These coins are rare. Unfortunately coin collectors do not particularly value coins with wear marks, etc. It is these marks which i am interested in. These marks clearly demonstrate the long, active and wonderous journey the coin has been on. From being freshly minted in the Victorian era to being spent on who knows what over the 100 years of circulation.

The coin is flattened to give a nice area to draw out the turtle. This basic outline is then embellished with the jewellers saw. After a few simple, traditional processes the old coin is transformed into a lovely pendant with fabulous history and green, ethical, honest credentials. Handmade and recycled in Cambridge, England. Size : Approx 28 mm * 20 mm

Sea turtles are known for their incredibly long lifespans, with some species living for a century or more. This makes them natural symbols of longevity, endurance, and the wisdom that comes with age and experience. They wonderfully capture the spirit of ancestral knowledge, the flow of history, or a deeper understanding of the world that transcends human lifespans. The phrase “turtles all the way down,” while originating from a different context, reflects a philosophical idea of foundational and perhaps unending wisdom.

The sturdy shells of sea turtles act as natural armor, protecting them from predators. This evokes themes of protection, self-preservation, and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. They drip with inner strength, the ability to create boundaries, or the capacity to weather storms, both literal and metaphorical.

Despite their slow movements on land, sea turtles exhibit remarkable determination when migrating vast distances across the ocean. This makes them symbols of patience, perseverance, and the importance of taking a steady approach towards goals. Sea turtles can inspire reflection on the value of embracing one’s own rhythm and trusting the unfolding of one’s journey, according to MyMythos.

Sea turtles are inextricably linked to the marine environment, making them powerful symbols of the ocean’s vastness, its mysteries, and the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems. They evoke feelings of connection to the natural world, a sense of belonging to the larger web of life, or a call to environmental stewardship.
In some Indigenous cultures, the Earth is believed to rest upon the back of a World Turtle, further emphasizing this connection to the planet and the interconnectedness of all living things.

The sight of female sea turtles returning to the same beaches where they were born to lay their eggs evokes themes of motherhood, the circle of life, and new beginnings.
Their perilous journey of hatchlings from nest to ocean as a metaphor for the challenges and hopes associated with new life and the unfolding of a unique destiny.