Seated Dime LOVE TOKEN

GioTheGreek

Bronze Member
Sep 12, 2009
1,281
859
Hades
Detector(s) used
XP DÉUS, Minelab E-TRAC, Pro-Pointer, Hawk-like Vision, Receding Hairline
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I went to my go-to farm a couple of days ago for a quick hunt and crossed a big one off of my list. Had I realized that I'd be getting a week of sub-zero weather, the hunt would have been much longer... but I was happy after finding my first love token! :hello2:

Other permissions may yield more finds, but this place has been good to me with the old stuff. The dying/dead clover and grass opened up a few spots that weren't cut this year. I see a couple of rainy days up ahead that will allow me to get out again. Hopefully I can sniff out a few more, if there's any left...

LC, 1955 dime, a dress weight? and a couple of buttons

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Holed 1856 Seated Liberty Love Token! One of the holes looks to have been filled with another piece of silver. I do like the Greek Key around the "L". :tongue3: I also cringe at the thought that it could have had an "S" mint mark on the reverse, but I highly doubt it. It shall remain a mystery.

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Happy hunting.
 

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Upvote 25
It almost looks like the back part was laminated onto the dime and soldered. What are those little tabs that look like they wrap around the edge of the coin? If it's laminated, you might be able to separate them and still have the dime.
 

It almost looks like the back part was laminated onto the dime and soldered. What are those little tabs that look like they wrap around the edge of the coin? If it's laminated, you might be able to separate them and still have the dime.

Good eye. As far as I can tell the other side was worn down and then stamped or etched. I do see those soldered tabs, but it doesn't look like I can separate them.
 

Stunning find bro!! Way up there on the wish list. Glad you found it...could not have happened to a more deserving guy!

Thanks, man! :)
 

Looking good Gio, that's a great love token!
 

Very cool find there…not just silver but 2 in 1! great saves…getting very cold the last few days but I'm going to brave the elements again tomorrow…as the ground is still penetrable…hopefully enough for a post and some nice old iron to throw back at IP...
 

Very cool find, Gio. Stuff like this is what I love the most about detecting. Why, I'd rather have one of those than a 1944 Steel Cent... I'm lying. :tongue3:
 

Havent seen a love token like that...great find...congrats.
 

Obervations for discussion:

The 'L' is a variant on the 'Old English Script' type - seems to have a slight modern twist, which could imply a post 1900 construction date. Also the Greek Key was popular in the Art Deco period - circa 1920s

The design appears to be stamped/punched from a die, also suggests a post Victorian date. This suggests that the process could be repeated. It might also mean the artisan, had a full set of 'letter' punches. So people could commission various combinations of bespoke 'off the shelf' options.

It was thought worthy of re-use, after the initial commission. Problem is the order of reuse;
2 solder points on side of coin
2 holes top & bottom
Issue - the final hole left open would leave the 'L' the wrong way up on a Pendant - why?
If it were a 2 hole start for a bracelet, when changing to a pendant, why make it up-side-down.
The order that makes the most sense is;
1 hole at top, to make the seated lady the correct way up, as well as the 'L' - This seems deliberate.
Then they changed the pendants use, to incorporate it into some other type of jewelry (like a chatelaine), filled the top hole, made the bottom whilst making 2 more fixing spots on the top where the solder marks are. Making a new 3 point fixing pattern.

If we also assume the date is important, coins with Birth Years are still popular, then the commission date of circa 1920 would make the gift to a loved one of 70ish. Some old Granny with the name of 'L'oiuse? lol

Maybe over thinking this one, but if it were a gift to an older lady, the re-use could happen with her Daughter after her death??

Makes sense?
 

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Love seeing the love tokens.
 

Makes sense to me, Crusader!
 

That's one of the coolest love tokens I've ever seen, alot of intricate detail went into that one!
 

Yes, a dress weight and a "L" for LOVE.
 

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