Can anyone find this token

[jtw1313]

Or whatever it is I can't seem to find one like it online. It's pretty heavy

 

[schlay]

Hello I am not sure but it is possible it is a so called hobo nickel /hobo penny it is where someone has grounded some of the coin and engraved their design on it

 

[jeff of pa]

Not a Hobo ... way too Big

 

[jtw1313]

Looked at it with a loop

Found this

 

[jtw1313]

Little mark beside R.L. Looks like upside down pie symbol with three lines

 

[jeff of pa]

my Guess R.L. is the artist

 

[jtw1313]

What do you think that little symbol is

 

[jeff of pa]

closest I can find

appears to be from the Same Artist & Size



US MINT 38 TOTAL PRESIDENTS SEALED BRONZE MEDAL SET 3" SOLID HEAVY MEDALLION LOT | eBay

But Different Text

 

[b3y0nd3r]

IDK, the term "The first American" is modern IMO

 

[jeff of pa]

What do you think that little symbol is

no idea on the symbol

 

[DCMatt]

Possibly the initials are J.R.L?


James Russell Lowell used the words "The first American" to describe Lincoln in a Commencement Ode at Harvard in July of 1865.


Not saying the medallion is that old but Lowells words have been reprinted many time since.


DCMatt

 

[DCMatt]

A book from 1894. Also reprinted numerous times...




Title Abraham Lincoln, the First American


Author David Decamp 1852-1908 Thompson

 

[Bramblefind]

It is listed in the Dec. 1959 Vol. 72 edition of The Numismatist. I can only access a snippet view in Google Books.


One is also listed with the Brandeis University collection-

Collection on Abraham Lincoln11.MWalB02520

 

[paulb104]

Or whatever it is I can't seem to find one like it online. It's pretty heavy

It's not a token, it's a medal.

In the study of numismatics, token coins or trade tokens are coin-like objects used instead of coins. The field of tokens is part of exonumia and token coins are token money. Tokens either have a denomination shown or implied by size, color or shape.

The way I explained a token to my six year old is that a token looks like a coin but was never used as money.

This is a medal.

Now, at this point I wish I could be all snazzy and tell you what the medal it, but I got nothing.

There's one guy who's the man with medals: Paul Bosco.

As this is a Lincoln item, you could always try contacting the Railsplitter.

 

[paulb104]

Hello I am not sure but it is possible it is a so called hobo nickel /hobo penny it is where someone has grounded some of the coin and engraved their design on it

The classical definition of a hobo nickel is where someone takes a nickel and modifies the face and turns it into something else.



Similar to these but on a larger scale are the potty dollars. This is where someone takes a 1877 U.S. Trade Dollar and modifies Miss Liberty to be naked or almost naked and sitting on a chamber pot.



Lastly, there's the love token. This is where someone takes a coin, any size, any value, any country, any metal, and completely smooth down one side (rarely both sides) and completely redecorate it for their own purpose.



These are all images from my collection (and happen to be for sale).

 

[paulb104]

I forgot one more item...

The box dollar. I remember the first one of these that I came across. I was so amazed, like a kid in a candy store for the first time.

A box dollar is a coin that is transformed into piece which opens up like a locket or small box. Once closed, the piece appears to be a normal coin. These are also from my collection.

 

[jtw1313]

I wrote a few people about it I will let you know what I come up with

 

[paulb104]

I wrote a few people about it I will let you know what I come up with

Welcome to my world.

That's why I'm registered on at least thirteen different forum websites, and follow ten more beyond those.

tnet is what I consider home though.

 

[Mud Hut]

Not much info, but their offering was for two ..they called them "Table Medals" : Cowan's Auctions: The Midwest's Most Trusted Auction House / Antiques / Fine Art / Art Appraisals

 

[jtw1313]

Thanks mud hut I have someone researching it to. Nice find on that I couldn't find one anywhere maybe they can find out who made it now with the initials R.L