Is this a charge coin? What about the other thingy?

[lenmac65]

I found the objects on the left and right at the site of a poor farm that operated in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Is the object on the right a charge coin from the Boston Store? If so, how old do you think it is? Also, what do you think the ornate object on the left is? There is no writing on it, and I don't see any remaining signs of a pin or other connection on the back. Any ideas on either object would be most appreciated. Thanks!

 

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[Goldiver]

I believe your brass tag is from the Boston Store on the Ohio & Erie Canal. It was built as a warehouse around 1836. Perhaps it was used as a claim tag and by presenting it to the warehouse keeper you could claim whatever item you had in storage. Or maybe it was used to actually tag the item you had in storage. It is some sort of museum now and they would likely be very interested in seeing this tag and may even want to obtain it for their museum.

https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?pg=3173988&id=5BD81C2D-155D-4519-3E46B2E31C2C2899

 

[Tony in SC]

Looks like a fob of sorts? Maybe for a key.

 

[lenmac65]

I believe your brass tag is from the Boston Store on the Ohio & Erie Canal.

Interesting theory and link - thanks! Not sure how a storage tag would end up in Massachusetts, but anything is possible.

 

[lenmac65]

Looks like a fob of sorts? Maybe for a key.

Thanks for the comment. The charge coins, which acted like a credit line or were used for customer discounts, I believe, would have a hole in it to attach to a key chain of sorts. This one has more of a slot, which is a bit different. It is curious, I think.

 

[Reanm8er]

The Boston store must have morphed into a lady's dept store at some time. We had one in my home town for years.
But I agree watch fob or perhaps the tag off a salesman's sample case?

 

[ARC]

Its a baggage tag... also used for railroad a lot.

Variety of shapes and sizes were used.

 

[lenmac65]

Its a baggage tag... also used for railroad a lot.

Variety of shapes and sizes were used.

View attachment 1726871

That is an interesting idea. Are you thinking a baggage tag for perhaps luggage sold by this store, or tags sold by this store for people to use to label their luggage? Sure looks like similar shape as yours. Thanks.

 

[A2coins]

Cool finds

 

[CRUSADER]

The left item is late 19th C. Either from a hat pin or maybe brooch. Some of the scars are hard to spot.

 

[razmonda]

Boston Store - Erie PA

I found the objects on the left and right at the site of a poor farm that operated in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Is the object on the right a charge coin from the Boston Store? If so, how old do you think it is? Also, what do you think the ornate object on the left is? There is no writing on it, and I don't see any remaining signs of a pin or other connection on the back. Any ideas on either object would be most appreciated. Thanks!

There was a Boston Store operating across several locations in Rhode Island and the southern New England states starting in 1866. I found a reference in a book published in 1886. Please note, that you can search books on Google in specific date ranges. I found the below looking purely at the 19th century, but do much looking into the 18th century. Try it! I also found a charge coin offered on eBay from Boston Store in Erie PA. Note, I did not see the farm's location in the original post. That would have helped greatly.

https://books.google.co.za/books?id...0Q6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q="boston store"&f=false

 

[thursdaythunder]

I was thinking a railroad baggage brass also. Possible to ship goods from one Boston Store to another.

 

[creskol]

It is pretty small to be a baggage tag. I agree with the fob theory .. maybe a sort of ID tag for tools, keys, or equipment of some sort.

 

[1carazy1]

the last item may be a dog tag.

 

[Colonel Corncob]

Second item has to be a luggage tag. Luggage tags could go on railroads, stagecoach, steamboat, etc. There's a luggage tag for the steamboat Mary Powell that's the exact same shape as yours. It seems that the companies may have had their own custom luggage tags made so that upon arrival people knew where they were to go (or somebody was there to pick them up).

 

[DCMatt]

Item #1 may be the front of a "perfume button" or brooch or pendant. These were popular when the world was filled with unpleasant odors.

These buttons had a cloth base usually made of flannel or velvet over which an ornamentally patterned, openwork piece of metal was placed. The patterns were often floral but birds or arabesques were also used.
The buttons had several purposes. The practical and obvious use was a closure for clothing. However, since perfume is often made with essential oils, it would stain women’s clothing and this was a perfect solution to that problem. They would put a couple drops of their favorite fragrance on the fabric area of the button rather than risk staining their clothing. The designs on these are so intricate and beautiful that they could be pinned anywhere as a decoration on a blouse, and worn like a brooch.

 

[Bramblefind]

It may be a tag for a coat check, umbrella check etc. Department stores used to have those services. Here's an example of a coat check with that same design:




https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/coat-check-tag-brass-pre-1900-1101944820