Jan your photography skills are improving. We are getting closer towards focused. Describing the motifs on the front are of great assistance.
"In the center of the pin there is a copper heart with an anchor and a cross, the pattern is from a single piece of copper. It is so delicately done, the tapping on the heart into a heart design gives the appearance of the heart being in front of the cross and the anchor. The cross and anchor have as well tapping designs to add character. Even the outside edge of the heart is delicately notched giving it an appearance of a frill. It seems to me, a lot of love and devotion went into this! I even thought a woman jeweler could have done it!"
A lot of love went into the giving of this piece, that's for certain. The symbols of the cross, anchor and heart are telling and meaningful. These symbols represent the "Three Theological Virtues" and are often depicted in art as young women. i.e The Three Graces.
The symbols most often associated with them are: Faith - cross, pointing upward, staff and chalice, lamp, candle Hope - anchor, harp, flaming brand, palm Love - heart, children, gathering fruit
The information above and further info or a photo of the reverse and if possible a close-up of the date year mark. Jan you mentioned:
"The mechanism for the pin is interesting. It would take a very fine tool to tap out the rod."
