This token is driving me nuts!!!

[doublet2a]

I love tokens, been collecting them for years.This is a nice old style mint token.
Found in Central California at an old house site.
There is cement or something on the token glued right over the letters I need to see.
I have nuked it, soaked it on my super sauce (works great usually) , tried digging and scraping at it with wood.
Just can't get this stuff off.
Soooooooo... has anybody got any ideas as to what it says
Thanks for the help

Tim

 

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[kuger]

wish I could Timmy,looks like asphaltum tar?

 

[wvwildman]

try soaking it some gas if its tar it will take it off

 

[fyrffytr1]

If that is tar trying dabbing it with a Q-tip dipped in acetone. I found some old tokens that were caked in the stuff. After soaking them in acetone it came right off.

 

[Bramblefind]

I have an obscure idea - could the name be "OESTERLING" and at the bottom maybe "NEB" for Nebraska? There was a Joachim Oesterling who ran a number of hotels in Nebraska in the 1850s-1880s.

What is the era for that style of token?

Though you will probably be able to get some of that stuff off it and it will be something completely different

 

[idahotokens]

WTG Brabmlefind!!! The NE Book lists:
J. F. OESTERLING / HARTINGTON / NEB.
GOOD FOR / 5¢ / IN TRADE
27½mm S4 Br

That took a bit of looking in the NE book as there is no index - just one for mavericks which this one isn't. So, in checking the NE towns that end in ON, up pops this one. No dating info or other history is given in the book, and I don't find anyone by that name in the 1900-40 Census in Hartington, NE, but there is John Frank Oesterling who shows up in Norfolk, NE in the 1900 Census and 1911-19 city directories as a harnessmaker and later in Omaha (through 1948) as a motorman on the trolley system. His father was a saloon keeper in Dakota City, NE in 1870, for what that is worth. I have seen this type of token dated to quite a range - 1900 through 1940 or so - and I'd suspect he had a saloon, cigar store, and/or pool hall in Hartington for a relatively short time early in the 1900s.

And, by the way, Tim, after you get the gunk off, how about posting pics of this one on TokenCatalog.com for the good of the hobby? Thanks!

John in the Great 208

 

[Bramblefind]

wtg on finding it!

I nearly didn't post b/c I thought it was such a crazy train of thought!

 

[Maggie May]

I have an obscure idea - could the name be "OESTERLING" and at the bottom maybe "NEB" for Nebraska? There was a Joachim Oesterling who ran a number of hotels in Nebraska in the 1850s-1880s.

What is the era for that style of token?

Though you will probably be able to get some of that stuff off it and it will be something completely different

I was thinking along these same lines, but after studying it for quite some time I think there is a letter before the O in Oesterling. It would then be centered better if there were. The letter looks like something that has a straight right side perhaps an A, K, M, or such. Just a thought.

 

[doublet2a]

I tried acetone and it didn't touch it. Soaked it for a week.
This stuff is hard as a rock.
I was hoping it was from California, since that the area I collect.
I will work on it some more. Maybe a hammer and a chisel .

 

[doublet2a]

WTG Brabmlefind!!! The NE Book lists:
J. F. OESTERLING / HARTINGTON / NEB.
GOOD FOR / 5¢ / IN TRADE
27½mm S4 Br

That took a bit of looking in the NE book as there is no index - just one for mavericks which this one isn't. So, in checking the NE towns that end in ON, up pops this one. No dating info or other history is given in the book, and I don't find anyone by that name in the 1900-40 Census in Hartington, NE, but there is John Frank Oesterling who shows up in Norfolk, NE in the 1900 Census and 1911-19 city directories as a harnessmaker and later in Omaha (through 1948) as a motorman on the trolley system. His father was a saloon keeper in Dakota City, NE in 1870, for what that is worth. I have seen this type of token dated to quite a range - 1900 through 1940 or so - and I'd suspect he had a saloon, cigar store, and/or pool hall in Hartington for a relatively short time early in the 1900s.

And, by the way, Tim, after you get the gunk off, how about posting pics of this one on TokenCatalog.com for the good of the hobby? Thanks!

John in the Great 208

Thanks John..
I will do that, I have posted quite a few on there.
Thanks for the help

Tim

 

[thrillathahunt]

Hey Tim, I've only been looking at it for a couple of minutes and it's driving me nuts! lol I think John (idahotokens) has the closet answer from what can be gleaned from it as is. Too bad it's not a Cal. token.

 

[ohiowhiteguy]

a pirate walked into a bar.
in front of him was this huge steering wheel attached to him.
the bar tender looked at him and asked what the heck is that for.
he said "ahrrr. it's driving me nuts"
happy hunting...
OWG...

 

[bzbadger]

Old joke but always liked it

Get your facts first, then distort them as you please-Mark Twain

 

[HuntinDog]

Have you tried one of those jewelers ultrasonic cleaners. it my take it a while to vibrate the crud off, but worth a try.
Cool token
Love finding them.
Good luck

HH

 

[cudamark]

I've had success with that type of concretion with a propane torch. When the metal expands, sometimes the crust will just pop off.

 

[doublet2a]

I've had success with that type of concretion with a propane torch. When the metal expands, sometimes the crust will just pop off.

Hmmm,, You might have something there

Tim