Cartier Coronation Coin Pill Box, 1937
Cartier Coronation Coin Pill Box, 1937
7626
A rare and wonderfully inventive Cartier silver novelty pill box, designed in the form of a compact stack of coins to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on 12 May 1937. At first glance it appears to be a discreet commemorative object; a concealed screw-thread mechanism, however, opens to reveal a small pill compartment within. This charming transformation from miniature coin stack to practical personal accessory is a fine example of Cartier's flair for wit, precision, and luxurious design.
Created for members of the King and Queen's intimate court circle, the box has a particularly personal connection to one of the defining royal occasions of the 20th century. Its inventive coin form reflects the period's fascination with ingenious miniature objects, while the royal association elevates it beyond conventional coronation memorabilia into a highly evocative presentation piece.
The pill box is accompanied by its original Cartier presentation case, bearing a coronet. This important survival greatly enhances the object's rarity and historical interest, reinforcing its status as a special royal commemorative commission rather than an ordinary retail item.
An exceptional fusion of Cartier craftsmanship, royal history, and novelty silver design. It would be a compelling addition to a Cartier collection, a cabinet of royal presentation objects, or a collection of coronation memorabilia and fine 20th-century silver.
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