Found box marked Navajo Trade Tokens

[foundatreasure]

I stumbled on this site trying to research a treasure find. I hope it is OK to post for other than a find with a metal detector. I own one but haven't used it yet!

Anyway, found a sealed box(at a thrift store) that is marked "Navaho(sic) Trade Tokens\Sterling 1810's 3429B(a catalog number?)

I've never seen such things before & wondered if anyone new anything about them.

Looks like there is about 20 items in the box. It is sealed so I didn't think I should open it as it looks very old itself.

Appears there is a crude Bull, a Donkey, a Kneeling person, 2 heads that look like Native American person on a buffalo head nickel, 3 other (female?) heads that remind me of a liberty dime & about 12 stick people. The 12 stick people have similar hash marks on them like a number sign # but with only 1 vertical line. They are all a little different. On the non-stick people, didn't see any marks.

Any info is appreciated!

 

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[MKnTenn]

I don't have any info but they are cool to me. I'm kinda new here too but welcome to TreasureNet.

 

[NaturalJWL]

Welcome to T-net.

Lots of smart folk around here, am sure someone will come along shortly.

Where it was found might help also.

How much was it, if I may ask >?

 

[foundatreasure]

Purchased in FL for $100.

 

[NaturalJWL]

May want to post in American Indian Artifacts forum on here as well.

 

[Mrs Bloom]

Welcome to T-Net
Interesting find and hope to read more about this in follow up posts.
We all learn so much from each other on here!
Happy hunting

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Very nice score foundatreasure!

I can't say for sure about the tokens, but the frame alone is
really old and probably worth a C note on it's own!

I'd like to recommend that you email a photo to:

Bruce Shackelford
P.O.Box 15707,
San Antonio, TX
78212

Email: [email protected]

Best of luck to you, because if those are real . . . they're going to be worth a lot!

Dave

 

[crazyjarhead]

If they are from the 1800's and genuine I would venture to say that they are worth something Just have to find the right person to spark their interests. Good luck on IDing them and keep us informed

 

[Mackaydon]

Are any of the items actually marked "Sterling" as designated on the box?

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Welcome to the forum! Those really are interesting, let us know if you find out anything. HH, Mike

 

[foundatreasure]

Hey, Welcome to t-net. They appear to be Milagros charms. I don't know if you could tell for sure if they were native american cast pieces, unless there are some type of specific hallmarks/makers marks on them? and a more certain provinance about their origin.

You hit a home run; not so much for me!

Found the exact match on eBay to 3 of my charms in a lot of 30 asking for $6.95 with no bids. If I am lucky they will actually be sterling & would have some scrap value. Makes sense on what they are as I am in a Hispanic area.

Thanks!

 

[Argentium]

Great stuff ! My recommendation is to telephone the Morning Star gallery in Santa Fe , New Mexico ,
try to reach Vanessa - they are experts on Southwest Native Americana - - Santa Fe is a major hub
for native silversmithing - and there is no shortage of expertise with regard to items such as yours .
all of the items you are displaying appear to have been cast , by a method known as tuffa casting ,
which employs the use of a volcanic ash sediment (tuffa ) which is carved to receive the molten silver .
I would not open this case if indeed it is still sealed , provenance is key to value !!! The accompanying
note is very important !!!! Please keep us/me - posted, as to what you discover about this - this
is one of the more unique finds I have seen posted here . I cannot tell you how rare pre tourist period ,
Navajo silver work is - I have lived in Santa Fe for almost 40 years , and have seen all manner of silver
of native manufacture - I have never seen any thing like this trove - please pursue this aggressively ,
If you run into a roadblock information wise , do please pm me , I will find a way to help you get this
in front of some heavy weight experts on early Navajo silver , sincerely - Argentium.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?topic=411546.msg2930792#msg2930792

 

[foundatreasure]

Great stuff ! My recommendation is to telephone the Morning Star gallery in Santa Fe , New Mexico ,
try to reach Vanessa - they are experts on Southwest Native Americana - - Santa Fe is a major hub
for native silversmithing - and there is no shortage of expertise with regard to items such as yours .
all of the items you are displaying appear to have been cast , by a method known as tuffa casting ,
which employs the use of a volcanic ash sediment (tuffa ) which is carved to receive the molten silver .
I would not open this case if indeed it is still sealed , provenance is key to value !!! The accompanying
note is very important !!!! Please keep us/me - posted, as to what you discover about this - this
is one of the more unique finds I have seen posted here . I cannot tell you how rare pre tourist period ,
Navajo silver work is - I have lived in Santa Fe for almost 40 years , and have seen all manner of silver
of native manufacture - I have never seen any thing like this trove - please pursue this aggressively ,
If you run into a roadblock information wise , do please pm me , I will find a way to help you get this
in front of some heavy weight experts on early Navajo silver , sincerely - Argentium.

THANK YOU! I will do it & post what I learn. FYI, I have a thread at "What is it" & "American Indian Artifacts" as well.

 

[allen]

hope its worth a small fortune !!