Help ID Item from Potential Training Camp

[Keith123]

Found this item in a Connecticut field along with large and small cents nearby. Cents ranged from 1829-1859 (mostly 1858 flying Eagles). Any info on this item would be appreciated.

 

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[DCMatt]

Is it bent or made that way?

Interesting that many of the small cents were 1858. Small cents were wildly popular with the public when they began issuing them 1857. They were much easier to carry than the "common cent" (large cent). Of course that meant you needed to fix the holes in your trouser pockets because they were also much easier to lose.

From Wikipedia (emphasis added):

"The Philadelphia Mint released the new cents to the public on May 25, 1857. In anticipation of large popular demand, Mint authorities built a temporary wooden structure in the courtyard of the Philadelphia facility. On the morning of the date of release, hundreds of people queued, one line for those exchanging Spanish silver for cents, the other for those bringing in old copper cents and half cents. From 9 am clerks paid out cents for the old pieces; outside the Mint precincts, early purchasers sold the new cents at a premium. Snowden wrote to Guthrie, "the demand for them is enormous ... we had on hand this morning $30,000 worth, that is three million pieces. Nearly all of this amount will be paid out today."[SUP][[/SUP]

DCMatt

 

[Indian Steve]

Possibly a coat hook. Looks like the other end is broke off where the threads would be to screw it into the wall.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Hey Keith,

I found an intact one of these a few weeks back at a mid 19th century plantation site. No luck on the ID but hope the picture helps.



It is hollow on the inside however there are no threads.