Odd blank obverse, 1834-39 Quarter Eagle reverse (almost!) Help!

[cek1313]

Hello! I am happy to join this forum! I also became a member of the coincommunity forum and they have been of fantastic help - I just need a little more in identifying this coin/token/button/no idea...

The pictures present everything pretty clearly however I just want to add I discovered today that there are (3) of these coins/tokens around, one dug from a site in VA, one in a collection and mine. They all three have a blank obverse which I think pretty much rules out corrosion/erosion over time. The would be reverse(s) are identical. I lean against it being a quarter eagle forgery because 1) it has no obverse and 2) the denomination is indicated as 2.50 while all other quarter eagles clearly have 2 1/2 D. on them. I would think even a bad forger would catch this. The dug specimen was in a mid 1840's area where other coins of that timeframe were found. Other than that I don't know a timeframe. Mine measures exactly 19.01mm and weighs 2.09g. Likely bronze/copper/zinc alloy or combination. So I guess what I am asking is has anyone seen these before and know where they come from or were made and why? I know these are difficult questions in this hobby so I am just hoping to rely on some great expertise. Thank you so much in advance for any info you have.

 

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[Jeff H]

If that is the remains of solder on the smooth back side, I would guess it might be a pin of some sort.

 

[cek1313]

Jeff - I appreciate the reply - I would agree. Maybe a pin, necklace, or mounted in some fashion. The other two examples I am aware of do not have the solder but are otherwise identical.

 

[bigchuck52]

It appears to be in terrific shape for being that old and buried. There was a huge resurgance of patriotism and a "revolutionary" revival of items back in the mid 70's. Perhaps a piece from that time frame, maybe a fashion item or decorative item that reflected the appeal of the fashion?

 

[cek1313]

Chuck - when you say 70's are you referring to a revival of this in the 1970's or 1870's? I ask only because I am fairly certain this was made in the mid 1850's at some point. My example wasn't actually buried - another person I ran across found his at a site dated to around 1845 with a metal detector and the third just says he has one so not sure....

 

[Erik in NJ]

The eagle looks very little like the types of eagles that were used at the time and seems to have several modern elements in it--the wings and the crook of the neck. I would guess it's either a modern play token or something off of a fashionable item (brooch, belt, button, etc.) from the 1960's to 1970's. It's so different than the period coins of the 19th century so that it probably did not violate the existing laws regarding reproductions of currency. Even the typeface used in "United States of America" seems to be a modern attempt and making the lettering look 19th century. The "2.50" also leads me to believe it's quite modern.

 

[cek1313]

Erik - you most certainly make some very valid points. I suppose my only reason for thinking its older is that an identical example with the same lettering, 2.50, blank 'obverse' etc. was unearthed at a known Civil War Camp Site and unearthed along with it were 1841 and 1845 large one-cent pieces. I reviewed the other example meticulously and it does in fact match mine exactly with the exception of being a bit more rough - possibly due to being buried. I'm quite fine with any age since my goal is to ultimately discover the maker(s) of this piece and what it was possibly used for as a matter of certainty. Granted in the world of numismatics this can prove to be quite difficult but I'll give it a try. Thank you again Erik!

 

[cek1313]

I don't mean to violate any rules concerning posting and I sincerely apologize if I do - so with that said - here is a link to an identical copy of the coin I have shown above and the description as to where and how it was discovered: Dug in old CW camp site.. COIN? Promo COIN? Token? FAKE? - Coin Community Forum
I hope this validates the idea of the piece being produced in the realm of 1850 but if not, that's ok too!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi, it's definitely not a counterfeit attempt as far as I'm concerned, the decimal price gives that away. Notice the lack of "dentil" around the rim--which gives it a rather plain look as a "coin." I was thinking gaming token or "spiel marke" but most of these were two sided as far as I know--and there is no good reason for the other side to be blank. It's about the right size to have fallen off the face of a cufflink or tie-tack. The bezel that it was set in would have given it a fancier look and I'm sure that Uncle Sam would have ensured that this item could not have been passed off as a coin. I would search eBay for something along these lines and you may be able to solve your mystery. I remain convinced that it is a 20th century piece. Nice find though--display it proudly!

Just out of sheer curiosity--what is the exact diameter of a 2-1/2 dollar gold piece?

 

[sagittarius98]

Just out of sheer curiosity--what is the exact diameter of a 2-1/2 dollar gold piece?

18 to 18.5 mm (sizes changed over the years).