Baronet Vintage Kiss-Lock Coin Purse in Red Top-Grain Leather
Coin Purse / Pouch / Minaudière silhouette · Baronet; a mid-century American heritage brand known for functional leather small goods. Positioned in the accessible premium/contemporary lifestyle tier during its peak.
Collection: Core Leather Accessories; mid-century permanent collection.
Style
Coin Purse / Pouch / Minaudière silhouette
Brand
Baronet; a mid-century American heritage brand known for functional leather small goods. Positioned in the accessible premium/contemporary lifestyle tier during its peak.
Material
Pebbled top-grain genuine cowhide leather. Machine-stitched seams with internal turned edges. The leather is soft (supple hand-feel) and stretched over a rigid metal frame structure.
Dimensions
Width: 10cm (4in), Height: 9cm (3.5in), Depth: 2cm (0.8in). Miniature size intended for small currency and tokens.
Description
A charming example of mid-century American leathercraft, this Baronet coin purse features a vibrant red finish and a classic retro silhouette. Its trapezoidal shape and satisfying mechanical closure make it a tactile piece of fashion history. It represents a time when even small organizational tools were made of high-quality materials designed to last decades.
Key Features
Signature Baronet crown logo with lowercase serif typography; ball-clasp kiss-lock frame; 'Genuine Leather' foil-stamping on the exterior front face.
Material & Construction
Pebbled top-grain genuine cowhide leather. Machine-stitched seams with internal turned edges. The leather is soft (supple hand-feel) and stretched over a rigid metal frame structure.
Color & Pattern
Cranberry Red / Ruby; a deep, saturated red shade. Plain, non-patterned surface with natural leather grain visible. Standard classic seasonal color for the 1960s-70s.
Hardware Details
Silver-tone (likely nickel-plated steel or brass) 'kiss-lock' frame. Features dual rounded interlocking knobs. The frame shows slight oxidation and wear consistent with vintage age.
Interior Description
Typically lined in synthetic taffeta or a lighter-weight leather. Generally a single open compartment with a small heat-pressed logo inside indicating 'Genuine Leather'.
Closure Type
Double-knob Kiss-lock / Frame closure; high-security mechanical snap.
Strap & Handle Details
Strapless; handheld design intended to be carried inside a larger handbag as an organizer.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial craftsmanship of the 1970s; clean stitching, reinforced frame corners, and quality foil-stamping that has remained legible despite decades of use.
Authentication Indicators
Symmetrical font alignment; consistent stitch density; high-tension resistance in the frame closure; gold-leaf foil stamping characteristic of authentic Baronet heat-press tools.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely Made in USA or Japan. Baronet was a prominent American brand that utilized domestic manufacturing during this era before the shift to offshore production.
Era & Period
Vintage Mid-Century (circa late 1960s to early 1970s). The lowercase serif typeface and crown logo are definitive stylistic markers of this period in American accessory design.
Age Estimate
Circa 1965-1975 based on the Baronet font style and the chrome-looking finish of the frame.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'handbag-as-a-system' era, where women fastidiously organized their large satchels with matching internal accessories, reflecting the domestic and professional etiquette of the mid-20th century.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good Condition. Visible dark spotting/staining on the front left; general surface scuffing and minor leather fatigue. Hardware shows light pitting and plating loss near the hinges.
Value Estimate
Resale market value: $15 - $35 USD. Value is mostly sentimental or for collectors of mid-century americana; condition issues (staining) place this specific piece at the lower end.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a pH-balanced leather cleaner. Condition with a light cream to restore oils. Use a soft brush for the crevices around the metal frame. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent metal corrosion.
Similar Handbags
Coach Vintage Kiss-lock frames (higher tier, thicker glove tanned leather), Buxton coin purses (direct competitor, similar price point).
Interesting Facts
Baronet was a staple brand in American department stores like Macy's and Gimbels during the 1960s, often sold in gift-boxed sets with matching wallets and key cases.
Notes
Baronet