✅ SOLVED Pewter or Lead medal or medallion

[Jaichim24]

On a recent outing I found an unusual item that I was not able to figure out what it was. It is a pewter or lead medal or medallion about the size of a US Half dollar. I was hoping someone may be able to assist. It looks like some sort of state seal on the front, but it has different dates and numbers around the edges, both on the front and the back. I am not a state seal expert by far but most of them usually have Latin inscriptions. I wonder if this is some sort of commemorative medal or something? Let me know what you think. Thanks for looking.

 

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[Dakota Sioux]

That may be the seal of Springfield Mass

 

[Jaichim24]

That may be the seal of Springfield Mass
View attachment 1271001

Wow, you nailed it!! I didn't even think to search for town/city seals. (It did not even occur to me that they did such things) There is enough of the modern Springfield seal to confirm for me that this is an older version of it. I swear the bottom left quarter has a person, maybe native american smoking a long pipe. Thanks for the ID!

 

[Jaichim24]

I'm curious as to what is on the back, I believe there is a bust/profile facing to the right. You can see the forehead and an eye I believe. Perhaps the numbers underneath is that persons birth and death years? It doesn't appear to be the founder of Springfield Mass as his name was William Pynchon and he lived from 1590 to 1662. Must be some other famous person from Springfield.

 

[Dakota Sioux]

It may be a medal from the 1886 250th anniversary.

 

[Jaichim24]

It may be a medal from the 1886 250th anniversary.

You may be right, I have been finding mostly 1820's to early 1900's items at this site, but mostly 1840-1890 stuff. I believe I am able to read the word "ORNAMENT" on the right hand side, where the "M" is just across from what looks like the eye on the bust/profile.

 

[Dakota Sioux]

It a cool find.

 

[Dakota Sioux]

OMG its a bicycle tournament Springfield 1883

 

[CTwoods]

OMG its a bicycle tournament Springfield 1883

Now that is pretty interesting, as I believe bicycles were a hotbed industry in that area. I do recall Charles? Metz was a famous entrepreneur who started with bicycles, then motor bikes, then his Metz cars in Waltham Mass. And perhaps I recall some bicycle history tied to the Indian Motorcycle companies in Springfield

 

[Jaichim24]

OMG its a bicycle tournament Springfield 1883
View attachment 1271014

Wow, just wow!!! I am sitting here with a grin on my face that will not go away. Awesome bit of detective work! Thank you!! I have a feeling, as bad as the condition is, that this may be one of my favorite finds for 2016!

 

[Jaichim24]

I found an ebay listing with one that looks to be made of pewter/pot metal. Sweet, I'm super excited!!

 

[Jaichim24]

Now that is pretty interesting, as I believe bicycles were a hotbed industry in that area. I do recall Charles? Metz was a famous entrepreneur who started with bicycles, then motor bikes, then his Metz cars in Waltham Mass. And perhaps I recall some bicycle history tied to the Indian Motorcycle companies in Springfield

You are correct with the link to Indian Motorcycles and Springfield Mass, I was fortunate enough to find a Hendee "Silver King" bicycle head badge. They would later go on to make an Indian bicycle series, which in turn was motorized and thus the birth of Indian Motorcycles. Check out the link to the post I made back in 2013.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...ar-5-hour-hunt-kg-s-silver-first-skunked.html

 

[Dakota Sioux]

Its nice to connect all the history in Springfield. There is quite a bit about that bicycle race if you search

 

[CTwoods]

You are correct with the link to Indian Motorcycles and Springfield Mass, I was fortunate enough to find a Hendee "Silver King" bicycle head badge. They would later go on to make an Indian bicycle series, which in turn was motorized and thus the birth of Indian Motorcycles. Check out the link to the post I made back in 2013.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...ar-5-hour-hunt-kg-s-silver-first-skunked.html

As my memory is dimmed, I'm glad you mentioned Hendee!.. I was racking my brain trying to recall the casted name on the crankcase of the very early Indian M/C's....it was HENDEE in big letters....not Indian!

And I think Charles Metz was involved with Marsh-Metz M/C from Mass?

Its nice to connect all the history in Springfield. There is quite a bit about that bicycle race if you search

Yes, This is a short but important window in the mobility era of transportation in urban and rural areas. Trolley service was not yet in most places, and the cost of owning, and feeding/shelter of a horse was out of the question for many people.

I have to wonder if that token might be for a participant, rather than a curio for the spectators?

 

[Dakota Sioux]

Jaichim- George Hendee did indeed ride in this event see end page 17 page 18
https://books.google.com/books?id=oiChBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18&dq=george+M+hendee+springfield+1883&source=bl&ots=aNQTpxwaQD&sig=L_x9PN-hQqbucTyT30CDTq7rb4E&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiWjejEnu7KAhUKnIMKHW2iAR8Q6AEIKjAD#v=onepage&q=george%20M%20hendee%20springfield%201883&f=false