Loving the Unloved: Massachusetts Cent Pendant or Tool?

A pendant is a charm that can be worn, usually about the neck. In colonial times, coins were often fashioned into pendants. The quickest way: drill a hole and wear it.
   Today I want to share such a piece -- or at consider that this lowly cent was elevated to such a purpose.
   Here we have a Massachusetts cent from 1787 or 1788. It was drilled twice. A bold round hole was placed at the tail of the eagle (reverse) -- it was neatly located. The hole is smoothed and shows evidence of friction along the edges. There is some mild rim damage that suggests that the coin hung on a ring or chain.

Massachusetts cent, holed and worn smooth.

   A second hole, smaller but also neatly placed, was located at the opposite rim. It, too, has been there a while, but it is not has worn and still shows some raised metal from the punch.
   The precise placement of holes suggests that it was not randomly punched to be used as flange, cap, or mechanical use. It could have been used as a keyhole cover; then flipped and used again. Maybe.
   Could the cent have been used as a toy? Unlikely: tops and whizzers typically had two holes placed close together. Still, I'll give it another Maybe.
   Here's another guess. It could have been placed on a key chain to make carrying several keys easier. This is the inspiration for the photo. I give this one a big Maybe.
   Was the cent used twice as a pendant? This use is the most interesting possibility. Copper is certainly amulet or talisman material. Keep in mind that amulets are used for protection, whereas talisman are used to bring some benefit. Coins as pendants were commonplace in the eighteenth century.
   Also, then as now, coins were worn for medicinal purposes: everything from King's touch tokens to holed cents made by "wise" women. I know some elderly folks who wear copper to soothe their aching bones even today.
   Superstitions were prominent in early America. Often a penny would be nailed under the threshold of the front door to keep evil spirits out. Also, a penny nailed to a rafter could bring good fortune (good "speed" as they would say) to a family living there. These pieces are usually found in rough condition.
   In any case, this old Massachusetts cent is a curious item. It has a history of secondary use that lasted for decades. It appears to have been touched and rubbed many times, as the copper is worn smooth on both sides -- perhaps it became a pocket piece for awhile, or it was just fondled while hanging about the neck, or it was a key chain fob that witnessed much locking and unlocking.
   Either way, I believe my title is a misnomer. It was not unloved; it was loved. And I love it now.