✅ SOLVED B&O Token?

[DirtCoins]

I found this thing today and I'm guessing it's a token, but it's very thick (about twice as thick as a penny) and it feels like it's made of lead. It's definitely not aluminum. The way it's been struck, it reminds me of the hammered coins from Europe (off center a bit). I'm in North East Ohio if that helps at all. The permission was for a house built in 1850.

The front says "B&O" and the back says "L 137"

 

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[ARC]

Bag seal... my guess.
bag seal from B&O Railroad.

 

[bill from lachine]

Dirtcoins,

What you have is a Railway seal from the Baltimore and Ohio Railway....they were used to seal the cars once loaded to ensure no one stole merchandise when in transit.

AARC's guess was pretty close but given I spent 35 years working in the railroad industry I've got an edge on him at least in this instance....lol....

Regards + HH

Bill

 

[DirtCoins]

Awesome! Thank you guys! Any idea on the age? I know the train stopped coming through our town at least 50 years ago.

Also, how do they work? I googled "railway seal" and was just made more confused haha! I'll mark this as solved though, thank you again!

 

[bill from lachine]

DirtCoins,

I don't believe you'll have much luck narrowing down the date of the seal because they were used for many years.

You may want to contact these folks who can give you a better idea as to how these seals were used.

B&O Railroad Historical Society-books, models, maps, photos, digital magazine

Regards + HH

Bill