Great Aunt Ruth’s Miser’s Purse

2024.013

Great Aunt Ruth’s Miser’s Purse

Unknown

1895

3.25 X 7.5 inches

Given to me in 1987 by my Great Aunt Ruth, she shared that the little purse was used to carry her pennies to church on Sundays for the offering. At a Crochet Guild of America conference in 1994, Dana Benjamin taught a class on these purses. When I saw her samples, I learned that the unique chain openings on the purses were the same as mine! Miser’s purses originated late in the 18th century and were variously called “misers, reticules or long stockings.” The shape originated in the Medieval practice of carrying coins in the toe of a stocking. By 1880, miser’s purses were becoming less popular as commercial leather coin purses became available. However, needlework magazines continued to carry instructions for making them into the early 20th century.

Gwen Blakley Kinsler

Coin purse of unique variety

Coarse cotton thread

Crochet