Meaning of ISKJ or IKSJ?

[gary s fl]

Found the pin and other items yesterday at a site that dates to 1830s. Attempts to search engine the letters came up empty. The one for sale on ebay doesn't have info. 12mm, very small. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dllViewItem&item=230595370132&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

The copper disk is probably an old knockout except that the edge is smooth as are both sides. Probably my imagination but there might be a concave male portrait looking left. There is the slightest bevel to the edge on the same side. 18mm x 1mm. Slightly smaller than a penny. 2.8 grams. Worn knockout or something else?

The flatened copper item looks like it may have come off a walking cane. The flat section (end) feels heavier than the sides. Weighs 24 grams. When I pried it open to dump out the gold, all I got was 7 grams of dirt. Rats!!

 

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[RelicHunter97]

Since it's on a cross...maybe the "J" stands for Jesus?

 

[Breezie]

The most common letters appearing on a 'religious' cross are I.N.R.I., which is an abbreviation of the Latin for: Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudorum, which means Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Another variation of this is I.N.R.J.

Even though the above letters are not what is on your cross, I feel like it is something similar to that in either Latin or Greek. If not, it is probably not a 'religious' cross. Neat find, Breezie

 

[Kenosha Kid]

Found a few references to IKSJ :

It doesn't show a picture; however, it's listed under 'masonic and fraternal pins' and states the backmark is "Whitehead & Hoag Co., Newark, NJ". I did find a better picture (below) of yours from a listed sale.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...d=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com

Whitehead & Hoag was first organized under New Jersey laws in 1892, so the pin was not made prior to that. They did make different types of advertising, political, masonic, religious and fraternal items.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_value_of_a_whitehead_and_hoag_company_item#ixzz1GsoVW5mA

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...d=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com

"Nehushtan Antiques is the sole owner of the only known personal Whitehead & Hoag company portfolio." They may have the answer to what the IKSJ (or whatever combination) letters means.

Last, I found a World War I death record with I.K.S.J. mentioned but it doesn't state what it meant. The writing (see picture, 3rd name down) is Serbian and basically means "endemic pain IKSJ he's repentant".

 

[Bramblefind]

Great research Kenosha Kid! - Using some of it I found this reference -

http://books.google.com/books?id=Nc...CDcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q="i k s j" 1890&f=false

 

[DevilDog812]

Great research Kenosha Kid! - Using some of it I found this reference -

http://books.google.com/books?id=Nc...CDcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q="i k s j" 1890&f=false

great find Bramble!
http://jankolalibrary.sscm.org/

 

[Kenosha Kid]

Great research Kenosha Kid! - Using some of it I found this reference -

http://books.google.com/books?id=Nc...CDcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q="i k s j" 1890&f=false

Nice find! A similar logo still used today :

http://www.fcsu.com/

 

[gary s fl]

Breezie, K Kid, DevilDog, & Bramblefind, you guys have been busy since I posted this yesterday, great job. K Kid. I completely missed the FCSU emblem you posted. Thank you much for the research.