OLD coin...only cleaned a small portion, should I keep cleaing it?!?!

[grogmug]

I found this at a 1700's house site. Could someone please tell me what it might be. It's almost the size of a half dollar or large cent, has an eagle on the back and what looks to be the letters "SHIN". I've only cleaned a small portion of the coin but I want to know what it is before I touch it again!
Thanks...heres the pic...

 

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[Lasivian]

Well, since you're in Kentucky, I'll guess that it's this c. 1850 trade token issued by Taylor & Raymond of Louisville, KY,
and that the "SHIN" is part of the surrounding lettering "GENTLEMAN'S FURNISHING / STORE."

The token was brass, about the same size as a large cent, and had the same wreath design on the reverse, but with the words, "NOT ONE CENT / BUT JUST AS GOOD."

(Sorry, no pic of the reverse.)

​

How on earth did you come up with THAT?

 

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[Iron Patch]

Well, since you're in Kentucky, I'll guess that it's this c. 1850 trade token issued by Taylor & Raymond of Louisville, KY,
and that the "SHIN" is part of the surrounding lettering "GENTLEMAN'S FURNISHING / STORE."

The token was brass, about the same size as a large cent, and had the same wreath design on the reverse, but with the words, "NOT ONE CENT / BUT JUST AS GOOD."

(Sorry, no pic of the reverse.)

​

How on earth did you come up with THAT?

Most likely called.... get this.. a reference book.

If you have enough of them even people like me can sometimes look smart. (not intended to imply anything towards PBK.. good ID)

 

[Iron Patch]

I should also add experience and plain ole gut feeling play a big role in IDing. It looked like a coin but didn't seem to match so my initial feeling was towards token, but I'm not familar with most US tokens and have no books on the topic. That was about the point I fell on my face and all the wrong theories started.

 

[Skrimpy]

PBK for President

Congrats on the find.

NJ

I'll second it to get him on the ballot. Now we need to get a good campaign going.

 

[texan connection]

def cleann it with a dremmel tool i bet it comes out nice Very cool find indeed

 

[piratesgold]

The US mint issued a 20 cent piece for only like 5-10 years in the mid 1800's, that was silver, And looks to be about the size with a similar design of an eagle on the reverse. If seated liberty is on the front, its very possible that this is a 20 cent piece or seated quarter.

 

[dwayne sueno]

the eagle looks different, but there are a few hard times token designs from the late 1830s that have a phoenix and the inscription "substitute for shin plasters." the photo is of one i found a coupla weeks ago.

 

[Lasivian]

Most likely called.... get this.. a reference book.

If you have enough of them even people like me can sometimes look smart. (not intended to imply anything towards PBK.. good ID)

Yes, but even with a pile of books he had scant little to go on.

 

[Dirt Dobber]

PBK for V.P. He only had obverse picture! (Now big grin here). D.D.

 

[grogmug]

HEY! I appreciate the responses guys. I took the picture with my camera phone so its not that great. I haven't touched it since the picture, but I'm thinking of cleaning the rest of it. If it is a token from the 1850's, is it worth anything?

 

[PBK]

If it is a token from the 1850's, is it worth anything?

The c. 1850 Taylor & Raymond token that I posted lists for $10-15 in Very Good to Fine condition.