W&ET - Ask Mark Parker Vol. 34 July 2000

Ask Mark Parker

Vol. 34 - July 2000

POCKET PERSUADER
Q. A friend and I found a small-caliber gun hidden behind the casing above the front door of an old roadhouse. It's about 4-1/4" in length, and the metal has a nickel finish. The wood on the handles looks like cedar. There is no name on it. We would like to know how old it is, how much it might be worth, etc., and would appreciate any help you might give us.
A. We aim to please! This single-shot, spur-trigger handgun is a salon pistol or pocket pistol dating from around 1870-90. Offhand, I'm unable to identify the manufacturer, but it's very likely of American origin. Iron and brass frames, nickel- or sometimes silver-plated, were about equally common on these inexpensive little "persuaders." The grips on the bird's-head style butt are probably rosewood or walnut. Overall condition appears to be Good, which should put the price tag a little under $200.

KEEPING THE FAITH
Q. While metal detecting at an Illinois churchyard, I found this interesting religious medallion. It is silver, actual size 1-3/4 x 2-5/8", and depicts the Virgin Mary on one side and the Last Supper on the other. I can't translate the Latin inscriptions, but it seems to be from a religious gathering in Montreal, Canada in 1910. Please tell me whatever you can about it.
A. The International Eucharistic Congress-Congressus Eucharisticus Internationalis- is a special assembly of Roman Catholic clergy and laymen from all countries to encourage Christian life and devotion to the Eucharist (i.e., Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper). The first Congress was in Lille, France in 1881, and since then they have been held periodically at various cities throughout the world. During the Congress there is a procession in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, and participants receive Communion. Panem Nostrum Quotidianum means "Our Daily Bread." Caron Freres, in small letters on the obverse, is French for Caron Bros., the Montreal jewelry & metalware firm which supplied the medallions. No published price for this piece could be found, but two estimates obtained by W&ET were under $50.

LANDING PARTY
Q. What can you tell me about the history of this "Pilgrim Jubilee Memorial" medal? It is about the size of a silver dollar and seems to be made of silver, too.
A. Held December 21, 1870 at Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Pilgrim Jubilee celebrated the 250th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower party. Sponsored by an organization known as the Pilgrim Society, the event included a memorial service at the Church of First Parish, an oration by Sen. Winthrop, dinner for 900 on boarded-over tracks at the new railway station, and a ball for 400 at Davis Hall. The commemorative medals are believed to have been designed and struck by A. C. Warren and J. E. Ellis, respectively, both members of the Pilgrim Society. Their names appear in tiny lettering on either side of the date, and Ellis's initials can also be found on the reverse. At least three varieties were issued: silver-plated, copper, and brass. Exact mintages are unknown, but all are considered uncommon, and yours currently lists for $50+, XF.

FRENCH DRESSING
Q. Mark, can you identify this 2-1/4 x 2-1/2" eagle buckle?
A. Certainement, mon ami! What you've got is a 19th century French military waist belt plate, bearing the classic Napoleonic eagle. Value? Maybe $100-150, Fine or better. Incidentally, fairly similar French-pattern plates were produced as stock items for purchase by U.S. militia units during the mid 1800s; however, careful examination will reveal a number of differences between those and the example at hand.

LONG-TERM PROJECTION
Q. This "Greed" token advertises a Metro-Goldwyn picture. Dated Feb. 16, 1925, it also refers to the Stanton Theatre and "An Astounding Photoplay." I'm hoping you'll have more information on it.
A. Indeed, there are those who say "Greed" is my specialty! Actually, yours is one of a series of tokens issued for distribution by local theaters- in this case, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- where Austrian-born actor/director Erich von Stroheim's epic silent film Greed was to be shown. Based on Frank Norris's novel McTeague, Greed is an intense tale of a prospector-turned-dentist whose avaricious wife and inner torment ultimately drove him to murder. Incredibly, the uncut version was eight hours long, and even after extensive editing it still ran for seven when it premiered. (We're talking a lot of popcorn.) Critics variously hailed it as a work of genius or madness, but in either case it ensured von Stroheim a unique niche in cinematic history. That makes your find slightly more collectable than it might seem at first glance, and according to a movie tokens specialist, it's worth $20+.

PARTHIAN SHOT
Q. While hunting last week, I dug this coin. It's a little larger than a quarter and is silver in color. I showed it to a coin dealer here in town, and although he can't identify it, he feels certain that it is a genuine coin. So, I'm still trying to find out what it is and about how old it is. Care to give it a shot?
A. First, the obligatory caveat: It may be merely a modern replica. With that out of the way, here goes... Your "mystery money" is a Parthian tetradrachm. The ancient kingdom of Parthia, located in western Asia, is now a part of Iran. The coin dates between 147 and 191 A.D., and the bearded worthy on its obverse is the reigning monarch, Vologases IV. (No... I'm not making this up.) In the scene on the reverse, Tyche, the goddess of fortune, is presenting a diadem, or crown, to the king. Unfortunately, I can't decipher the inscriptions, but they may include the year of issue. As for the metal, typically these coins were struck in billon, an alloy containing silver and an equal or greater amount of copper. Does all that add up to some serious cash? Well, if it's the real deal, it might bring $200-250.

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