Unique Annie Oakley’s gold coin charm bracelet will led Heritage Auctions’ Legends of the Wild West Signature Auction, scheduled for November 24. With an opening bid starts with $100,000, this is the most valuable Annie Oakley item ever to be offered for sale. This one of a kind bracelet consists of hinged gold pipes with a spring-blade clasp and safety chain. From the wrist band and chain hang twelve gold charms, which actually are gold coins.
These coins are mostly gold Queen Victoria Coins , or U.S. Liberty 13 Star gold coins. Some are inscribed to her by name and the name of the person giving them to her, others, mostly from the Wild West Show are inscribed with the persons initials. The oldest coins are an 1873 $5 gold piece and an 1873 half-sovereign; the newest is the sovereign which was first issued in this style in 1887. As charms, they date from 1885 to 1892.
She wore it for special occasions, such as the 1919 Valentine’s Day Ball at Pinehurst, where she was photographed with the treasured charm bracelet on her left wrist. It was owned by Annie Oakley’s great nephew, and kept in trust for decades. This is the first time this bracelet has been out of the vault in many years, and this is one of the first photos of this remarkable piece.
In addition of bracelet, the upcoming sale will offer a selection of family photographs, including a cabinet photo of John Moses with his wife, Laura, and the two eldest children, Elza and Ben. Of particular interest to any students of Annie Oakley is a very rare cabinet photo of her mother, Susan, inscribed on the back to her “dearly beloved daughter, Annie.”
