Altered 1853 seated half dime - for jewelry???

[treasurekidd]

Hi everyone! My father recently gave me some of the old coins he has accumualted over the years, some Merc, Buffalos, wheaties, IHs, etc. One was an 1853 seated half-dime that I think was altered for a jewelry piece. The half-dime is about half the normal thickness, and the entire reverse is gone, replaced with a decorative harp design. I have tried to research this piece, to no avail. There is no jewelers mark on the back, but the engraving work is very ornate and nicely done. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? I know the pics are a bit blurry, I'll try to get better ones soon. Any feedback on this piece would be appreciated. I posted this under COINS as well, hope Jeff doesn't mind! Thanks in advance!

 

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[lonewolfe]

That's a "Love Token"!! I have found 3 silver, and one gold love tokens in 20+ yrs detecting!

Nice find!

HH

Lonewolfe

 

[treasurekidd]

Thanks Lonewolf! A love token, huh? Well, I'll do a little research on that. Am I right in that is was a coin altered to be a token? It's pretty cool anyway. Thanks again!

 

[lonewolfe]

Am I right in that is was a coin altered to be a token?

Yep,

guys grinded off the obverse or reverse and then engraved designs, and usually initials of their sweethearts on them!

Cool find!

HH

Lonewolfe

 

[goldther]

HI;
I found one of these love tokens and sold it for 45.00 about 4 years ago. there are collectors out there that will buy them, if you want to sell it put it on e-bay with a reserve price.I think there is a book written with prices .try barnes and noble or a couple big book stores- that way you can look the price up without buying the reference book. hope this helps, good hunting.Bob

 

[lonewolfe]

HI;
? ? I found one of these love tokens and sold it for 45.00 about 4 years ago. there are collectors out there that will buy them, if you want to sell it put it on e-bay with a reserve price.I think there is a book written with prices .try barnes and noble or a couple big book stores- that way you can look the price up without buying the reference book. hope this helps, good hunting.Bob

If you got $45 for yours 4 yrs ago, consider yourself lucky because retail these days on the dime pieces is between $15 and $25 in coin shops- depending on how detailed, and nice it is (they'll offer 1/2 that much to buy 1 from you). On ebay, you'll see $10 to $20 if you're lucky.

 

[treasurekidd]

I saw a lot of them on eBay on dimes and quarters, but this one is a half dime.

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

Hmmm, that was cool to learn. Nice find, keep it up and HH!!

 

[lonewolfe]

I saw a lot of them on eBay on dimes and quarters, but this one is a half dime.

Might be worth a little more being a 1/2 dime treasurekidd-

just depends on what people want to pay I guess-- might get $25 to $35 or so for it would be my guess.

I have a buddy that owns a coin shop (good friend of mine) and I see these types of things for sale in his shop a lot.

HH

Lonewolfe

 

[DJ_Quinn]

Your love token had an Irish owner. That's a harp, symbol of Ireland, on the reverse side.