✅ SOLVED Beat-up coin, token, cap, plug, or _______________?

[invent4hir]

Found this where a cabin was built about 1815 and other artifacts dug nearby, including a 2 Reales and 22 Large Cents, range from the mid-1700s to late-1800s. Initially I thought it was a beat-up coin. Looking through my coin book, I noticed that most if not all the U.S. coins have raised letters. After discovering the letters on the front of the artifact are indented, my theory about it being a U.S. coin seemed unlikely. Also unusual, is that the letters are reversed. There is a picture showing that and another where the artifact is reversed so the letters read left to right. The few strings of letters I’ve been able to make out are “ITED ST”, “08” and “O”, despite trying different magnifications, angles, and filters. I’m hesitant to clean further, because the remaining lime deposits provide some contrast that help make those letters stand out. The back side is void of letters or markings of any kind.

While probably round at one time, it is now more oval with a diameter that varies from 5/8-3/4” (16-19 mm). There is also a partial rim that is about 0.04” thick. By appearance I originally thought it was made of brass or copper. During a bench test, my Whites V3i detector shows it to be a conductor with a VDI of 8. Despite the artifact being disfigured, its phase is solid. A modern nickel is shown as a comparison.

All thoughts welcome. Happy 4th and America 250!

 

[Red-Coat]

I have no idea what it is but, when letters are reversed and indented, think "stamp" (as in seal stamp) or "mould" (as in for casting something).

I would assume that "...ITED ST..." is probably part of the phrase "UNITED STATES".

 

[invent4hir]

I have no idea what it is but, when letters are reversed and indented, think "stamp" (as in seal stamp) or "mould" (as in for casting something).

I would assume that "...ITED ST..." is probably part of the phrase "UNITED STATES".

Red-Coat, wow thanks for those 2 great leads! Yes, I was leaning towards that phrase also.

 

[robertk]

Could have been something a US coin was mashed into (intentionally or otherwise). Think of smashing a coin into a block of warm wax. It would leave an impression with indented letters like that.

 

[invent4hir]

Could have been something a US coin was mashed into (intentionally or otherwise). Think of smashing a coin into a block of warm wax. It would leave an impression with indented letters like that.

robertk, thanks for the tip. If indeed what I found is a thin piece of brass or similar, smashing a coin into it could have left that impression. Especially if that coin was made of a harder metal. I'll look through my coin book to see if anything matches that pattern.

 

[Sandog]

A die? A die for counterfeiting? Someone playing or experimenting? Got me. Very interesting.

 

[cudamark]

Could have been something a US coin was mashed into (intentionally or otherwise). Think of smashing a coin into a block of warm wax. It would leave an impression with indented letters like that.

Yup, a coin (like a nickel reverse) was pounded into your copper/brass chunk of metal leaving that impression.

 

[invent4hir]

A die? A die for counterfeiting? Someone playing or experimenting? Got me. Very interesting.

Sandog, thanks. I think all are possibilities. Wish there was some detail in the middle which might point to something more definite.

 

[invent4hir]

Yup, a coin (like a nickel reverse) was pounded into your copper/brass chunk of metal leaving that impression.

cudamark, thanks for seconding, I'm going to mark this solved. Thanks all for your inputs and have a happy and cool 4th!