Strange Old Token or Tag... Need Help IDing

[Brendan M.]

Hello Friends!

I dug up this old token/tag at one of my favorite sites -- a wooded waterfront area with heavy activity from the colonial era through the 1960s or so. I've found some neat, OLD relics so far -- including a couple of shoe buckles from the early 1700s -- as well as some nice newer finds, like an engraved silver money clip.

Anyway, I dug up this token pretty deep down -- about 6 inches or so, which is where I find a lot of the older relics. This was completely covered by some gigantic roots, which I had to hack through with a mini saw. (And unfortunately, I hacked up one side of the token, as well. But man, I was desparate.) Based on that alone I figure it's been there a while. It's about the size of a silver dollar, but thinner. I think it might actually be heavily tarnished silver. I was getting a solid silver reading when I dug it (which is why I even broke out my damn saw), and you can see little spots without tarnish (and the scratches) where it looks silver. Not to mention the bluish tarnish...

The number "48" is stamped on both sides. The lettering used is kind of interesting looking. And notice the hole drilled through it as well. This token is very smooth, as if it was handled quite a bit.

I'm really dying to know what this is. Andy help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Brendan

 

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[PBK]

Hey, Brendan—

It could be a tool check or work check, or possibly a claim check.

A tool check is handed in when a worker receives company-owned equipment in order to perform an assigned task. The tag is later reclaimed when the tools or other items are returned. This allows the company to keep track of its property and determine who is responsible for lost or damaged items.

A work check is handed in to a company clerk at the beginning of a shift or assignment, and then reclaimed when the shift ends or the job is done. Miners also use tags of this sort on ore cars, so that the proper individual or crew is credited for the load.

A claim check is given to someone who hands over personal property for temporary storage: baggage, parcels, hats & coats, clothing at gyms and pools, etc. The tag is presented to reclaim the item(s).

Without a name or identifiable initials, there is really no easy way to determine how the tag was used.

 

[Wetgreenie]

Nice info PBK!

I was thinking / hoping it's a coat check token.

I can imagine you were digging and sawing like a mad man....