This is a 1911 British Gold Sovereign that my grandfather brought with him when he moved from Cairo to New York in 1965. Despite the coin's origins, though, the story behind it is notably not British. He was limited to bringing $500 in cash to the United States and turned to gold as an alternative. Before leaving Egypt, he spent much of his life savings on gold of all shapes and sorts, most of which he sold upon arrival. I never had the chance to meet him, but he saved a few of the smaller pieces, like this coin, and my grandmother had it mounted onto a ring for me when I was six years old. Ever since my fingers have been big enough for the ring, I have worn it each day as a reminder of the journey he took with my young mother as he moved his life from the land of the Pyramids to the Big Apple. 

– Annie Whitney

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant