Masonic Token - Pictures Added

[flinthunter]

Went to a local park and was digging clad and memorials yesterday evening and it was starting to get dark so I headed to my older coin area to try and get one good coin before I packed up to go home. Hit a good but very light signal that maxed the depth indicator on the detector. It was in the silver range so I was pretty excited thinking it might be a barber or seated quarter. At 12 inches deep I managed to pull up a huge copper disc (a little larger than a silver dollar) that I am fairly sure is a masonic token. It is extremely worn but I can make out some of the design when its wet. Any ideas on how to enhance the design/features on this token so I can get a good picture with my camera? I already gave it a peroxide bath. Daryl

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I used a litte 3 in 1 oil to bring out the detail. This is the best picture I could get.
The picture with the silver dollar is for size reference. This copper token is almost
1 3/4 inches in diameter. The back is blank. Any idea of possible age? Thanks for looking.

 

[Swartzie]

Re: Masonic Token

Try rubbing the high spots (designs) with your fingers. The oils on your thumb and fingers will make the high spots darker. If there's not enough oil on your fingers then swipe them across your forehead to pick up more. This technique works for me. Peroxide bath then rub the details in. Don't use running water to clean at all otherwise you'll wash out the contrast. Tokens are cool. Congrats.

-Swartzie

 

[paratrooper]

Re: Masonic Token

Keep us informed .

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Re: Masonic Token

 

[flinthunter]

Finally got a chance to get to get a picture of the token and add it to my original post. Thanks for looking.

 

[Frankn]

Here's a trick I figured out many years ago. Put iodine on the coin and light it. let it burn out. Now gently wipe it off. The depressed areas will be black while the raised areas will be natural, or gray. You can wipe if clean after you take the pictures. Light it from the side, not head on.
WARNING: Try this on an old penny first, iodine might have changed ! Frank

 

[paratrooper]

It IS Masonic . Is there anything on the back or is the same thing on both sides ?

 

[flinthunter]

The back is totally empty of any design or lettering. Just a smooth blank area.

 

[Ray S S]

Hello Daryl, Your post was referred to me by Frank wondering if I could ID it's age.

I started going through several sites, starting on my Michigan Mason site and I finally
saw your message on the Peoria site. I was really surprised when I recognized it. LOL.
I didn't really find anything yet about it's age, but if you haven't found out yet, I will
keep searching. The sideways N has me a bit puzzled. The other designs are standard
Masonic. With that one being different, it might possibly be a particular Lodge design
used solely by that lodge.
Have you checked very closely on the back with a good magnifying glass to see if there
are any numbers or any identifying marks? Sometimes if you get it angled just right by
a bright window under a glass, things will show up that will not show without it.
By the style of the designs, I don't think that it is 'real' old, but 12 inches is pretty deep.
There must have been some construction work there to get it buried that deep.
I will keep checking and get back with you at a later date.
lots of luck with it.
Ray

 

[flinthunter]

Thanks for your reply Ray. I think the sideways N is a folding ruler. The design just under the N is a hammer. Tomorrow I will recheck the back when I have better light. Daryl

 

[Ray S S]

Daryl, you are right. I should have recognized the folding rule. That and the gavel,(hammer)
along with the other designs makes up the symbolic working tools of the Mason. It would be
hard to tell just how old it could be, but I will keep trying and see what I can find out.

Ray

 

[marinemike72]

Nice find...usually on the reverse would be the brothers Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason dates and his name and possibly his lodge. These were generally given to a spouse to be presented as proof of Masonic affiliation in case of need...That is what has been done w/mine and soon I will give one to my daughter......


Mike

 

[Ray S S]

Mike, that is a good idea. That is better than just getting a certificate. I have never seen
any of the lodges in my area do that. That would be a nice permanent record of the dates.

Thanks for the tip.
Have a great day.
Ray

P S Welcome to Tnet, Brother

 

[paratrooper]

When the dates are engraved on the back of the coin it is known as a "Made A Mason" coin . You can buy them on E-Bay . Usually there are 3 raised bars running horizontally on which the dates are engraved . When I was young my grandparents and I were vacationing in Vermont . We came across a Masonic Lodge in a small town . My grandfather remarked that there would be a Lodge in such a small town . I said "Show them your coin and they'll let you in". He just smiled and said "The coin doesn't do it." It wasn't until I began my personal journey into Masonry that I understood .

http://cgi.ebay.com/Masonic-Coin-An...846?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e58392de

 

[marinemike72]

Ray & Paratrooper:
Nice to know that there are traveling men here...I feel a lot better knowing that...did you also know that there can be conferred upon your wife and daughter a degree? It is quite simply called that...a Wife and Daughter degree...look in the front of your Bible if you have the big blue one w/Jesus on the front. I have never witnessed this degree, however, I believe I'll look more into it for my wife and daughter.

Take care brethren...

Mike

 

[ivan salis]

eastern star * is for female relations of male masons.

the coin is for "introduction" to lodges and other masonic persons away from home --once "used" you are "tested" to be sure you are not using to coin as a "poser" --if you pass welcome brother.

 

[Ray S S]

Hello, Ivan are you also a 'Traveling man?'

Ray