Large sterling Masonic coin...

[digger27]

Chalk this up under cool.
Found in a park dedicated in the 20's from a lodge that is still around and began in 1914, it was 7" deep and sounded an acted just like a silver half.
No mystery there because it is just about the same size and almost as heavy at 8.2 grams.
Tons of history with these fake shekel coins, the quality is excellent so I assume it was lost not long after it was received.
Most Freemasons carry these around daily so most of the ones I have seen are usually much more worn.
I figured it was lost sometime in the 20's to early 40's because research shows these silver versions were the most popular from the late 1800's to the 30's.
They still make versions of these but sterling is rarely used nowadays where nickel, aluminum or brass has become the more popular choice of metal.
The one penny coin/token version used in ceremonies seemed to be the coin of choice for many lodges over this type.

A beautiful centerpiece in my collection, silver rings and religious medals are also cool to find but this is something special.

 

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[NEPADIGGER7]

thats a great piece of history and a great piece of sterling too!

 

[digging440yrs]

That is cool

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Really cool find. I've never seen one like it.

 

[dirtscratcher]

That thing is cool!

 

[JUNKER]

Very nice find!

 

[Escape]

Nice find but it doesn't seem to be masonic. Some other fraternal group perhaps.

 

[Escape]

Should have checked first. It is masonic!

 

[Loco-Digger]

That is an awesome find. First one that I have seen.

 

[digger27]

Thanks all!

They are out there, but as I mentioned most are usually way more worn than mine.
I sent an email to the current lodge scribe looking for info on the possible age of this thing but so far no reply.
Too bad, I am more than willing to donate this thing to them if they have some sort of display case or museum but if they don't want to contact me...
I have already had an offer to by this from a constituent of another lodge in a different state, evidently for those that collect Masonic exumonia these are highly prized collectable items, especially the sterling types, but man it looks good on display in my own collection.

I have learned a great amount if history about this thing and what it represents, one of the best part of this hobby is the history we learn from some of the more odd types of targets we dig up.
One cool fact is many have years on them but these are not when they were issued like coins but the year the specific lodge started.
Most of what I discovered is in this thread...

Silver Masonic coin

A few other examples below I found on the net, like I said mine seems to be in pretty good shape compared to many.
This is going to be a favorite find of mine of all time I think.

Love this hobby.

 

[P@tch]

That thing is awesome! Congratulations

 

[slickchooch]

The coin you found is definitely Masonic in origin. It is from a "Royal Arch" chapter obviously in Birmingham. The Royal Arch chapter allows the Master Mason to further his education and search for light. The emblem in the center is a keystone. In operative stone Masonry the key stone tops an arch by joining the two sides of the Arch....H.T.W.S.S.T.K.S=Hiram the Widow's Son sent to King Solomon.....if I tell you anymore, I would have to obligate you....lol.....nice find....mine is some cheap bronze looking metal

 

[thrifty76now]

That is a really nice piece of history from that lodge. many of those lodges issued masonic pennies.they usually were about the size of the large cent.

 

[thrifty76now]

slickhooch, you have given a real nice presentation of that piece. Being a Mason I know.

 

[Old Dude]

That is one of the best silver pieces I have seen posted that isn't a standard monetary coin. Great find! Very good info included in the thread too.

 

[Trezurehunter]

That is a very nice piece.