Barber, Merc and Token

[mountainplayer]

Had a bit of time on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Hit an area of town that has quite a bit of history. Finds have been pretty sparse here, and I suspect, brought in with fill dirt rather than being dropped.

So far, three silvers have been recovered at this site (the two shown, plus another 1911S Barber dime). The token was a nice surprise.

When I researched the token, I was blown away by what I discovered. You see, I was actually in Versailles/Lexington KY all of last week, helping out a friend. During my last visit there, he took me to the Labrot and Grahamn distillery for a tour. I can't imagine the odds of finding a token connected to that site on my second trip out after returning home.

Here's the info I found, from a website called Bourbon Enthusiast:

James E. Pepper History

1776 - Elijah Pepper first comes to Kentucky and settles at
"Old Pepper Spring" (Spirits, 1935, "Schenley in
Kentucky", Filson Club).

1780 - Elijah Pepper starts distilling whiskey at Versailles,
in what is now Woodford County, Ky. His son Oscar and
grandson James E. used the trademark "Old 1776" and the
slogan "Born with the Republic". (C Crowdery, Heritage
of James E Pepper Bourbon).

o - Distillery was on the Frankfort Pike where the ruins of
the Labrot and Graham Distillery are today. Called "Old
Pepper Spring" on Glenn's Creek. (C Cowdery, Hert.
James E Pepper).

1794 - Whiskey Rebellion - Pepper is one of the few
distilliers who can afford to pay the tax. Other
Farmer/distillers become grain suppliers for the
distillers that can afford the tax as the industry
starts to consolidate into companies (Spirits, 1935,
Filson Club).



Need to do a bit more research to see if I can date the token. If anyone knows, I'd appreciate hearing!

MP

 

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

Cool Token and History on the Token !

Nice finds !!

Keep @ it and HH !!

 

[seger98]

Tremendous finds, congratulations!

 

[The Patriot]

nice finds, neat token..

 

[Detectingfreak]

Nice silver and token!

 

[Ricky1601 aka pull tab king]

very cool, I like findung old tokens, congrats and hh

 

[Bob S]

Nice Finds WTG

 

[JimBeHuntin']

A Barber should make anyone's day plus a nice Merc and a cool token ... sounds like a great day of hunting ... congratz and continued good luck ~ Jimmy

 

[Fr3nchy27]

Hey MountainPlayer, Looks like you had a great hunt. Nice digs. I'd pound that site, you got a good one there.

Justin

 

[Silver Searcher]

good to see you MP great looking finds and good clear pictures

SS

 

[mountainplayer]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Frenchy...you're going to have to try to come down my way when you get out to the "left coast"! Silver Searcher...thanks! I don't post much anymore, but I love reading everyone elses.

I did a bit more research on the James E Pepper token. While I love the silver, this one is my favorite find of the group, just because of my connection to Versailles KY. My research leads me to think that this token dates to 1912. During that year, the distillery started a big add campaign and began using the slogan "Born with the republic". I know that you can't necessarily date finds by proximity to others, but for some reason this date just feels right.

I'm thinking of sending a pic of the token to the Labrot & Graham distillery and seeing if they'd want to trade it for a case or two of their single barrel stuff. Yummmm.

MP

 

[RONC(OR)]

Nice finds congrats HH

 

[rjw4law]

Good finds.

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

I believe that the Pepper token hung from the neck of the whiskey bottle, 1920-1940's. Cool find!
Carl

 

[gold nuggets]

Ya done good MP!!!
Silver and a great token= a good hunt.
Congrats and thanks for sharing the info.
Gold Nuggets

 

[oddcoins]

WOW wow WOW wow WOW wow WOW wow WOW wow ~ awesome treasures man! WOOHOO!! I especially like the Barber Dime ~ SWEET!!

 

[Digger1980]

Here are the pics, still blurry though...

 

[unclevinn]

mp nice finds, sounds like a great site. keep hitting it hard, best of luck and happy hunting

 

[allen]

wtg on those great looking finds !

 

[HippieSaylor]

I found one of these today, about four inches down in a back yard. You'll notice mine has a hole instead of an eye. My research indicates that James E Pepper started using the slogan on the medallion in 1912 and that the company ceased operation in 1960. Where this dates between those two extremes I can not find any info on.