Coin cuff links are a way to wear both beauty and meaning to dress shirts or blouses. As far back as the era of Louis XIV in France, shirt sleeves were fastened with “boutons de manchette,” or “sleeve buttons.” By the 18th century, cuff links were items of distinction in themselves, decorated with jewels and precious metals. How much more precious are coin cuff links made from ancient coins!

Coin cuff links can be designed in numerous styles, including barrel style, with one end overlapping the other, or “kissing,” with the ends pinched together. There are also many coin cuff links consisting of a short chain or a post connecting two disc-shaped parts where the ancient coins are mounted.

Coin cuff links made from Herod Agrippa coins, coins from the Bar Kokhba revolt, or from Masada coins would make a very meaningful gift for a special Jewish person, due to the powerful history silently witnessed by these coins during ancient times.

Masada coins were ancient prutot, a store of which were found at Masada during archaeological studies there. Masada was where over 900 Jews gathered after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE and resisted capture by the Romans, even though it meant their own deaths. Coin cuff links from Masada coins bring not only beauty, but some of the most important Jewish history to the cuffs of a fine dress shirt.

Coins from the Bar Kokhba revolt, which took place from 132 to 135 CE against the Roman Empire are also made into very special coin cuff links. In this rebellion, Simon Bar Kokhba, the leader of the Jews, was hailed as a heroic figure, and even as a Messiah by some. This revolt resulted in an independent Israel in parts of Judea for over two years. Finally, 12 Roman legions with auxiliaries crushed the rebellion, barring Jews and even early Christians from Jerusalem. This period was also a time when Christianity became more distinct from Judaism to outsiders, and so coin cuff links from coins of this time are meaningful to Jews and Christians due to their shared Jewish heritage.

Herod Agrippa coins, from 37-44 CE, are also made into coin cuff links. The reign of Herod Agrippa is also important to both Jews and Christians, and coin cuff links from the era of Herod Agrippa are dear to followers of both religions.