Medallion?

[CousinEddie]

Found this in my backyard tonight. Not sure what it is, but it's the same size as the Baber Half I found yesterday and rang up as a 50 cent piece on my GTI 1500. Is it a medal of some sort?

 

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[ticm]

It's a neat find what ever it is.

 

[CousinEddie]

Thanks ticm....

 

[TNGUNS]

Really cool.......hope ya find out soon.

 

[Ironman!]

Eddie, what you have found goes under the category of "Game Counter", Yours is called a "Radiant Eagle Counter". Game counters in general, predate gambling chips, and were used in a similar manner.

IM

 

[CousinEddie]

That sounds pretty darn cool!! So this was used for gambling? Nice... How old do you think this is? The info I found online did not give an age for these items. THANK YOU for the info!!

 

[dustytrails123]

If it cleaned up that easy it has to be silver or chrome plated ...nickel and clad you know how that is after its burred in dirt almost impossible to get clean

 

[CousinEddie]

Dusty, I agree. I may be going out on a limb here, but is this a possibility. I found VERY little info on these items. The info I did find has a $20 copper piece. The piece I found is NOT copper. The edges are different as well. Is it a POSSIBILITY some one made this $50 "Game Counter" into a necklace? There is a square piece at the top that made me think this was a medallion/piece of jewelry.

Here is the only info I could find...: UNKNOWN COPPER COIN IDENTIFIED AS AMERICAN GAMING COUNTER

 

[CousinEddie]

Nevermind... Apparently after reading more indepth, my particular piece is supposed to have the edging. Still can't find an age or what it's made of...

 

[jewelerguy]

it's cool whatever it is. here's a link to one on ebay that has the top piece and a ribbon like a medal... Rare bronze gold-plated medal eagle with star | eBay and here's another that someone dug.... Relics, Coins, and Kids | D.U.G. (Discovered Under Ground) both are the same as yours except for color and 'denomination'

 

[CousinEddie]

Thank you!!

 

[hamiddetecting]

NICE!

 

[CousinEddie]

From an 'ask mark parker' in WET Mag

"A lot of other folks have been searching for details about it, too, but to little avail. It's called a "Radiant Eagle" game counter, and over 20 varieties have been reported. Some are as small as a dime; others, a little larger than a silver dollar. Denominations include 2-1/2 ( or 250), 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. They exist in brass, gilt brass, silver-gilt brass, gilt pewter, and aluminum. Some are coin-like; some have watch-stem loops, like yours. They're called "game counters" because they were used in much the same manner as poker chips or play money. When they first appeared is anybody's guess, but at least the aluminum ones can't be much over 100 years old."....