1828 Lead Saint Servais Church of Maastricht Skull Token PCGS F12

Item #CC-0655 | 1828 Lead Saint Servais Church of Maastricht Skull Token PCGS F12
Mint: Maastricht, Netherlands
Ruler/Period:
Grade: F12

For details and population on this coin from PCGS, click on the serial number here: 50773221

Description:

The 1828 lead Saint Servais Church of Maastricht Skull Tokens are rare and intriguing artifacts used in the Netherlands for ecclesiastical purposes. These tokens, typically cast in lead, were associated with the Saint Servais Church in Maastricht, one of the oldest churches in the Netherlands. The tokens were used as part of the church’s tradition surrounding All Souls’ Day or specific funerary services, acting as symbolic offerings for the dead or as a means to obtain prayers for the souls in purgatory.

The tokens are often embossed with a skull and crossbones, representing mortality and the transient nature of life—a powerful memento mori reminder for parishioners. Other inscriptions or symbols may include references to Saint Servais, the church’s patron saint, or brief inscriptions of dates or initials that could indicate specific years or memorial events. The tokens were typically small, round, and worn from frequent handling, with a somber aesthetic to reflect their purpose. Today, these tokens are considered rare collectibles, capturing a unique aspect of religious and cultural practice in early 19th-century Europe.