lead charm "money bags?"

[scaupus]

just hopin' someones seen something like this before or knows about items like this. I found this lead charm on an Everglades island used by Sam Arpeka's Seminole band. The US Marines destroyed their corn and pumpkin fields on the island one time in the 1840s, but the entire band escaped capture without casualties. Some time after 1910, the surrounding everglades were drained. I know that much of the surrounding area was developed into 10 acre farms, mostly citrus in the 1920's. This particular area was a gentleman's ranch probably by the 1960's, and a park later.

It was about 4-5" deep in the periphery of a tot lot.

It's about the size of a quarter. I was wondering who most likely would have dropped it? Recent playground child (not likely as its lead)? Ranch hand? Farmer? Seminole? Marine? There seem to be symbols on it, and gilt and silver paint. There is a crease or fold along the edge of the bag part, as you might see in a handbag that expands. I'm thinking it's some sort of token to bring prosperity...but for whom?

 

[scaupus]

BCH.,..you are going to love this.
[h=1]925 Silver Children Temple Block Lock Pendant[/h]and

925 Silver Children Longevity With Wealth And Honor Lock Pendant.

Two advertisements, one of them supporting your postulate, one of them supporting mine... for the same item!

925 Silver Children Temple Block Lock Pendant - Detailed info for 925 Silver Children Temple Block Lock Pendant,lock pendant,925 Silver Children Temple Block Lock Pendant,SN11702 on Alibaba.com

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

They dont match.

 

[scaupus]

BCH, I'm going to call it a temple block charm/pendant. But...this isn't over!

 

[scaupus]

Got it!!!!! It is a temple block. It is oriental. It is religious, good luck, etc. They are used in religious ceremonies in China, Korea, Japan. The writing on it are ideograms...Oriental writing of some sort.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Got it!!!!! It is a temple block. It is considered good luck. It is oriental. The writing on it are ideograms...chinese or some other Oriental writing.

It may be a lead based pot metal.

 

[scaupus]

Check this out:

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yea Im going back to 99.9. Also the chances of a Seminole Indian, living very far inland from the sea with no Asian influence, wearing an Asian temple block charm is remote. The only confusion is why is it heavy lead? Im thinking its some kind of lead based cheap pot metal alloy.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal Painted or plated.http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-pot-metal.htm Fell off a keychain fob or was worn as an amulet. Most likely lost after the area became a park. Mould seams indicate factory made and not hand made. If Montauk hadnt solved it, we would still be searching.

It still may be 100 year old pewter but I think its recently lost since the area became a park.. I have an old lead based pewter crucifix cross thats very heavy and easily bendable and shined up when polished and the rag turned black. I thought it was solid silver but turns out its lead pewter. Low grade pewter has a high lead content. I still dont understand why it shines like brilliant silver.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Heres the crucifix I found. I could bend it in a U shape its so soft. Very heavy like lead. I shined it up with silver polish. Rag turned black. I thought I found a winner. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/75571-crucifix-found-thanks-id-solved.html

Turns out its a low grade lead pewter. Sorry to get off topic but just trying to ID the metal on your temple block.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

If you still think its old, the only suggestion that I have it to take the item out to the Seminole or Miccosuki Reservation and ask around if any of the Indians recognize the item. Look in the trinkets for sale for anything with a simi8lar shape. Thats the only thing I can think of. I dont believe they have any Asian influence.