✅ SOLVED Flattened/holed coin?

[asmerri]

I found this yesterday while detecting the site of an 1800s school. It's bent and in really bad shape but it has my curiosity. It has a reeded edge so I believe it's a flattened coin with a small square hole in the middle. What US copper coins have a reeded edge though? Also, my eyes may be playing tricks on me but I believe there is a little pattern detail on the front still. Any ideas or IDs on what remains of design? Thanks for looking!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[Back-of-the-boat]

Gear.Not coin.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Wanna say clock gear but I don't think it is! Another gear for something else I think.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I doubt its a gear IMO. It looks more like knurling or reeding to get a better grip between thumb and fore finger.

It resembles a part from pre WWII US military insignia or something similar or maybe its just a finger turning adjustment knob of some type..

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Or more likely with square hole a wick adjuster from an oil lamp.

 

[asmerri]

I doubt its a gear IMO. It looks more like knurling or reeding to get a better grip between thumb and fore finger.

It resembles a part from pre WWII US military insignia or something similar or maybe its just a finger turning adjustment knob of some type..

A little more cleaning reveals what I see as I tied/knotted rope. And I agree with you on it not being a gear. The ridges are way too shallow. Do you see the design or am I crazy?

 

[Dug]

Chinese coins were made with square holes in the center. This looks like one that was flattened on purpose, such as being laid on a railroad track.

 

[GpSnoopy]

Train flattened coins tend not to retain their shape well. My guess would also be a knurled knob for something like a kerosene lamp. Not all lamp burners had the thicker knobs with the manufacturers name stamped on them, especially some of the less expensive imported ones.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

I'm a bit late here but I believe it went to an oil lamp from the 1800s I found one about two months ago here's a pic of mine

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

i agree solved

 

[asmerri]

I agree! Man kids really liked to flatten things back in the day!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Some of the oil lamp adjusters had designs.