Small brass item, Lincoln Bust

steelheadwill · Jul 9, 2011

Hello Everyone,
Dug this yesterday, it is 11X20 mm.
Show crossed sabers, Lincolns bust, and Axe in Rail.
obverse :dontknow:

'50' in oval.
Mr Salis clued me in on the Lincoln/railsplitter connection.
the 4 holes and two sided design led me to think center part of a 3 piece medal.
Seems like a long shot, can anyone find a match on this piece ?
Thanks for looking! :thumbsup:

SODABOTTLEBOB · Jul 9, 2011

steelheadwill ~

I'm curious about your item and mainly just tagging at the moment to receive e-mail notifications. I did a little research, but didn't find anything. The decoration around the edges reminds me of a postage stamp. The 50 could refer to almost anything, and possibly even a 50th Anniversary. If it does, it's hard to say from what year - birth - presidency - death. Aside from the four corner holes (which confuse me) it seems unlikely that it would have been fully attached to something because both sides are embossed, which suggest it was intended to be seen from both sides. I'm not sure what you mean by a "three piece medal." Could you clarify or possibly show us an example picture of one? :dontknow:

I'll be back if I find anything.

Thanks,

SBB

ivan salis · Jul 9, 2011

I'm thinking a "unit" like --50 "th" whatever (note a eagle cannon type button *similar to ones used pre war ) was found near by * thinking lincoln "union' loyal military group --the 50th ? from ?

lets see Union forces wize -- theres one 50th from NY , one from PA and one from MO --for starters

SODABOTTLEBOB · Jul 9, 2011

In answer to my own question, I found out what a three piece medal is. Some of which have a combination of ribbons - chains - medals - etc. And some of which are like the ones shown below.

Note: If the item in question was part of a multi-piece medal or fob, no matter which way it was hung, one of the images would face the opposite direction/cockeyed. Plus, crossed swords suggest Civil War/Post Civil War. :icon_scratch:

[ Accompanying descriptions of pictures below ]

1904 St. Louis World's Fair Medals and Fobs. Included are:

1. 1904 Napoleon medal with three fobs, Hendershott 61-350 (medal) and Hendershott 19-450 for the fobs, aluminum.

2. A five-piece medal and fob combination, Hendershott 19-530, nickel.

SODABOTTLEBOB · Jul 9, 2011

steelheadwill ~

Between doing some light yardwork and organizing my storage shed today, I spent some time looking for a match to your Abraham Lincoln item. But it's going to take someone with more talent than me to figure out what it is. I searched everything from A to Z but came up with zilch! I found lots of tokens, insignias, badges, medals, emblems, labels, etc; etc. But no "whatever the heck that thing is!" :dontknow:

I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I'm sure it's something. And to think there have been something like 16,000 books written about Lincoln, making him one of the most celebrated individuals in world history, and yet not one image of your item on the internet that I could find anywhere.

But I did find the picture below that was just too cool to pass up and not share.

Good luck!

SBB

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 9, 2011

An interesting piece. I did a little search as well. It odd that all the Lincolns I found were facing the other way. Are we sure its Lincoln? This should be solvable with an advanced search.

Are those stars around the perimeter?

ivan salis · Jul 9, 2011

looks like stars around the rim-- but around the 50 oval wize it looks like there might be very faint lettering * :wink:

SODABOTTLEBOB · Jul 10, 2011

Is that a 'P' I seen on the profile side of the original item just below the axe head and rail?

Here are pictures of a few Abraham Lincoln tokens w/profile facing left. It's hard to say when the item in question was made, but I'm convinced it's Lincoln, mainly because of the axe and rail. Unless it's George Washington chopping down a cherry tree. (But I honestly don't think so).

SBB

[ Pictures are titled accordingly at the base of each ]

steelheadwill · Jul 10, 2011

Nice work on this so far :wink:

Apologies for missing these questions ..
The beard and lips look like Lincoln, the lick of hair on the neck is uncharacteristic.
Definitely stars on both sides, and reeded or sawtoothed edges
Lettering, I can't say.
I can see the letter P under the rail. Good Eye

SodabottleBob, Those are great examples of what I meant by 3 piece medals.
As stated, if not military, this could be a part of one of millions of Lincoln Memorabilia pieces.
seems the only thing I can add is more photos.
took many against different backgrounds, these are the best two.
Thanks for all the help Everyone :notworthy:

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 10, 2011

It looks like the top holes are elongated so it was definitely attached to something.

Yes I noticed your Lincoln need a trim in the back but I think its Lincoln as well.

steelheadwill · Jul 10, 2011

Considering the amount of souvenier items sold at 'World Fairs' and Exhibitions around the turn of the Century, possibly an item commemorating 50th anniversary of Lincoln asassination from 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition ?
The articles about it that I've scanned through do not mention any connection to this anniversary :icon_scratch:

3 AM, time to pull out the magnifier, maybe there is some lettering around the '50'

SODABOTTLEBOB · Jul 10, 2011

Just fooling around here. :hello:

Regarding the 50 - I'm thinking not 50-cents because it would likely have a cent mark. Which leaves ...

50th Anniversary - Birth - Death - Expo - Fair - Republican Convention
50 Pounds
50 Credits/Token
50 Years
50 Candidates/Campaign/Political/Election
50 States
50 ?
Lincoln was born in 1809 + 50 = 1859

steelheadwill · Jul 10, 2011

SODABOTTLEBOB said:
Just fooling around here.

Wouldn't that be nice....
side lighting has to be just right to show the 'P'.
Here's a shot of that area..
I'm losing my focus :tongue3:

I'll get back on this tomorrow, HH All

SODABOTTLEBOB · Jul 10, 2011

If we "assume" the holes were drilled over some of the stars, (which is how it appears) then the star count comes to 48/50 in my estimation (both sides). :dontknow:

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