Seeking Information- Free masons?

[shanegalang]

I dug this on our tavern site. We think it was made from a half real. As you can see in the picture it is exactly the same size and it is also the same thickness as a really worn half real. We think it shows signs symbolic of Free masonry or some fraternity. Please, any help with not only identifying some of the symbols and letters but maybe approximate date frame. Thanks a million, Shane~ Cane Field Bandits

 

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[BuckleBoy]

You know, the more I look at this, the more I wonder if that "AMI" is in fact a counterstamp from when it was a coin. Those letters look different from the engraved letters on the other side and the design. They do look stamped in... Also, it looks like there is something missing below the "AMI" that was cut out (look below the cut-out). Maybe the letters were very tall and narrow. OR, it could've even been upside down (with either long letters or some letter(s) then "IWV") as a counterstamp. If someone has a counterstamp book, perhaps they'd be willing to take a look for it, because it might narrow down the time frame...

One killer find, my friend!

-Buck

 

[kuger]

I dont know but I sure like it!!!!The clasp hands were sign of "Peace",wonder if it could have been Indian/trade oriented as well?

 

[recondigger]

I dont know but I sure like it!!!!The clasp hands were sign of "Peace",wonder if it could have been Indian/trade oriented as well?

I was also thinking that. This is one cool find I hope you can figure it out. I think you could be correct thinking that is a counter stamp I just can't find a counter stamp like it yet

 

[yaxthri]

A great find...

 

[DizzyDigger]

Perhaps it could be some type of a "Mitzpah", which is typically made from
2 halves of a single object (coin, heart, etc.) and both he and she wears them
as a symbol of their love and "oneness".

Best I could come up with...

 

[jeff of pa]

Looks like A OE F at the top which I find odd
I would think the middle 2 letters would be OF

or is it A DE F ?

also I would say AMI or AML on the reverse.

in the center before the break are 2 hands shaking I would research through that

 

[nhbenz]

I don't think the AMI was a counter stamp, It just seems to crisp compared to the surrounding surface which looks like it was smoothed (hammered?), which would have messed up the lettering a bit.
Ami is French for "friend" which seems to go with the theme of the item.

 

[taz42o]

If it was a coin how did they get the eye at the top?
Association of evangelical friends?? (Quakers) They close meetings with handshakes. But that would make it post 1947.
Probably way off, but only guess Ive got.
maybe just a different E word.?

 

[BuckleBoy]

If it was a coin how did they get the eye at the top?
Association of evangelical friends?? (Quakers) They close meetings with handshakes. But that would make it post 1947.
Probably way off, but only guess Ive got.
maybe just a different E word.?

Good question about the loop. Shane, is the loop 1 piece, or braised on?

-Buck

 

[jeff of pa]

if it is a half real, I would say 19th. century or older, or foreign

in a way it reminds me of something from the love token era,
although the majority of those seem to be 1870's seated coins

 

[releventchair]

part way to a claddaugh. Letters b and c are missing. Secret no british crown?

 

[nhbenz]

Looking closely I think Jeff was onto something with the middle letters being DE, as when I enlarge the image I see it as more of an D than an O (the right side isn't as close to right angle). So, again with the French, that could mean "from" (there's a lot of meanings for de in French, but this seems to maybe the most pertinent definition). So, perhaps the "A De F" could be Americans from France (given the large population of French folks in Louisianna)? Or similar?

 

[BuckleBoy]

Amis de France?

 

[kuger]

the crudeness of the hands and the "puffed",cuff's just strikes me as "colonial"??

 

[kuger]

Good question about the loop. Shane, is the loop 1 piece, or braised on?

-Buck

I am %99 sure that is part of the coin,they cut the rim,and left that....I have an image of a Real cut into a heart a friend dug that has that same type of thing

 

[shanegalang]

the crudeness of the hands and the "puffed",cuff's just strikes me as "colonial"??

That was my thinking too. The cuffs, they look very colonial. I have researched masonic handshakes and the one on this item does look a lot like one. The way that the thumb seems to overlap the knuckles, suggest pushing on a knuckle.

 

[shanegalang]

Good question about the loop. Shane, is the loop 1 piece, or braised on?

-Buck

It is very hard to tell. IF it is a separate loop that was attached , they would have done a great job. My guess is that it was somehow part of the coin although I can see a slight line where it would have been attached. You'll have to see it under magnification in person, I'll bring it next hunt.

 

[kuger]

It is very hard to tell. IF it is a separate loop that was attached , they would have done a great job. My guess is that it was somehow part of the coin although I can see a slight line where it would have been attached. You'll have to see it under magnification in person, I'll bring it next hunt.

...Its hard to tell in this pic,but this shank is part of the original coin like I beleive yours is as well

 

[Rebel - KGC]

I don't think the AMI was a counter stamp, It just seems to crisp compared to the surrounding surface which looks like it was smoothed (hammered?), which would have messed up the lettering a bit.
Ami is French for "friend" which seems to go with the theme of the item.

AGREE! French Trader pendant to Native Americans (aka Indians)...?

New Orleans, LA was FULL of French ppl; PROBABLY went up "Old Muddy" to St. LOO (ALSO full of French ppl @ 1803 +). THEN, North & West; into Canada (French Canada).