Are these coin purses or snuff boxes? Age?

I see these listed as coin purses or snuff boxes. Do you know which is the real purpose or was it used for both? It seems so small to be for coins and much to clean for snuff. The leather base does not expand. This is 3 1/8" by 2 1/4".

I did not see any marks for silver content or maker, however, while I was cropping my photographs to post, I noticed something that looked like writing. It isn't English if it is a mark. Maybe Cyrillic? Just some scratches? Thank you.

 

What is the bottom made of? Does it expand so it could hold coins?

It looks like it may be missing something on the lid, possibly some type of stone?

 

Could it be a powder compact?

 

In my opinion it's what is called in french "aumonière" and was made to hold small coins for charity and for church.
Metal plated if I look at the fourth picture especially.

 

looks like powder with a sponge

 

The base is leather and it does not expand. The interior is the suede side of the leather. I also thought a stone or medallion might be missing from the front.

Mystery food sac.

 

This similar one has a patent date of 1890 on it: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Rare-V...h=item36273dcdd3:g:xOAAAOSwGzhaBR1B:rk:3:pf:0

 

well..if ya had a few coins back then...you were doin ok.....so maybe..

 

Perfect for that period, "aumonière" is obsolete in french out of the antiques amateurs but I've found a good translation with Reverso.

This is a beautiful purse in black silk and ornated with a beautiful handmade embroidery of small black beads depecting butterflies.

Silver made with flat sizes are more common, it was because you have to put it in very small pockets in your clothes or in your handbag when you were a lady making his charity social work…