Colonial coin mold?

[jml818]

Found this item in area where everything was colonial era. I’ve posted this before and never got an identification. Strange how the larger circular side says HAL DOL while smaller circle says ONE DOL. The only conclusion I can draw is a possible mold?
Anyone ever seen one?

 

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[gunsil]

Interesting piece. Cannot be a coin mold since coins are die struck from sheet metal not cast. No dollars or half dollars pre 1793 either (colonial times are really before the US government was formed). The holes look awfully small for dollars and halves. Pretty cool.

 

[Noah_D]

Hmm... maybe for checking the size? Idk, just a thought.

EDIT: That wouldn't really make too much sense though because dollars and halves have reeded edges.

 

[gunsil]

Noah, early ones did not have reeded edges but some had lettering around the outside edge. The main problem is that the dollar area is smaller than the half dollar area and both are way too small for the denomination, look at the penny for reference.

 

[jml818]

Both good points. I definitely was not thinking correctly when I used the term mold. The depth would result in incorrect thickness as well. Makes you wonder what the purpose of the slot on each side was used for as well. This area was used for mining as I found late 1700’s mining coins, kind with shovels crossed on one side, but they were more like large cent size.

 

[Red-Coat]

It's the broken arm from a coin weighing scale. There are various configurations, but something along the lines of these (note the shape of the slots in the cavities):

 

[jml818]

Very cool. Gold coins maybe? Gotta weigh them accurately I assume. Still looking for my first gold coin after 25 years of swinging.

 

[Noah_D]

Noah, early ones did not have reeded edges but some had lettering around the outside edge. The main problem is that the dollar area is smaller than the half dollar area and both are way too small for the denomination, look at the penny for reference.

Very good point. I didn't even notice the penny.

 

[Noah_D]

Good ID Red-Coat!

 

[Kenosha Kid]

resembles the one pictured here. the “hal dol” is actually a 2 1/2 dollar gold coin measure plate/slot broken from the rest of the arm.

https://robtnar.wordpress.com/2016/...arison-of-fake-scales-being-sold-as-original/

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

It's the broken arm from a coin weighing scale. There are various configurations, but something along the lines of these (note the shape of the slots in the cavities):

I never knew something like this even existed, great I.D. Red-Coat

 

[rsilva02667]

Happy you finally got an ID!

 

[jml818]

Finally got the ID on this item, all makes sense now. Thanks again Red Coat.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Congratulations on a really super find! Thanks, again, Red Coat, for your wisdom and research skills!

 

[dognose]

interesting find for sure.

 

[PetesPockets55]

Congratulations on a really super find! Thanks, again, Red Coat, for your wisdom and research skills!

Very interesting piece. And I agree with AB. Redcoat, thanks for that ID.

A scale is what crossed my mind as well, but I couldn't wrap my pointed little noggin around how it would be used in a scale. Now I see the words were for a quick and easy ID while confirming weight/denomination.
I would imagine these would be used by banks and merchants?

 

[CRUSADER]

It's the broken arm from a coin weighing scale. There are various configurations, but something along the lines of these (note the shape of the slots in the cavities):

View attachment 1911105 View attachment 1911106

Agreed, to verify gold coins