United States Congress Coin or Token

[Raimes11]

I did not find this metal detecting but I have had this for a long time, it was given to me by a friend because he knew I liked coins. I seem to remember that he got it from an relative who had passed away.

It is encased in a slab. It has a picture of a eagle with 13 stars above its head. The reverse side is very strange. It has no markings, only weird lines etched in it that start from the center and stop at the end.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also the slab has a small hole drilled in it.

Thanks

 

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[steelheadwill]

Welcome
can't find any similar
paperweight

 

[Dano Sverige]

Paperweight.

 

[Bramblefind]

Maybe it is a die face to a Challenge Coin? This company has them - but I didn't see one for Congress:

http://www.uschallengecoins.com/coin-releases/free-challenge-coin-die-faces/

 

[Mackaydon]

Maybe a drink coaster: http://www.tias.com/13107/PictPage/3923219794.html

 

[Broken knee]

I found this hope it helps. US Congress Pin What is it for and what does it mean. United States House of Representatives
Here is a short little video of me holding my US Congress Pin. If you are trying to find one of these for yourself on ebay let me save you the time and effort. They are given to senators and representatives who have been elected and a select few people to carry out House Business. Another reason they are very difficult to get is because these pins allow you to get through security at United States House of Representatives (The House) and other Washington, DC capital buildings employing the capital police without showing ID. Now you understand why you see these pins being worn all the time. It is not a fashion statement. Yes, even senators will have to show ID when not wearing theirs because the capital police can’t remember everyone's face or title and not everyone makes it in the news like the speaker of the house. Some members of the house refuse to wear the pins, but most do wear them for the ease of access.
Broken Knee

 

[Kenosha Kid]

Given that the size is closer to a quarter (going by the dime you used as a size reference), I don't think it was a coaster, unless they're doing shots on the Hill. Paperweight? It'd be a small one, I'd guess.

I'm not saying whether yours is a lapel pin (real, or not); however, I did find an interesting article that deals with the lapel pins (Broken knee's post) and potential security problems for Capitol Police :

"U.S. Capitol Police did not reply to messages asking whether officers were aware of the souvenir pins and whether they had been trained to determine the difference between real pins and pretend ones."

http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs...ssional-lapel-pins-available-hill-gift-stores (picture is a US Rep pin ... but they also sell "a variety of similar lapel pins")

http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs...t-collectors-edition-congressional-lapel-pins

I'd suggest you ask your friend about the 'relative who had passed away' and any possible Congressional link.

 

[Raimes11]

Thank you guys for the replys.

Ya its way too small for a coaster or a paperweight. It is pretty much the exact same size as the newer Sacagawea one dollar coins.
And the thickness is very close to a quarter.

It is defiantly the Great Seal of the United States Congress. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_Congressional_Seal.svg

Broken Knee, I did not see a video or picture of your pin, is there any way you could post a pic of the front and back so I could compare. Thank you in advance.
It is not likely that I will be able to contact my old friend. But I did remember that he gave me this along with some old army buttons and pins. Thats about all the info I have from when I got it.

 

[Raimes11]

Ok, after some more time rereading your post and more searching I understand now. Broken Knee, that was from a youtube video you found correct?
I watched the video and it does not really look like it to me. I dont really see how it could of been a lapel pin. There is really nothing like this I can find so far. Kind of frustrating..

Do any of you guys and gals know anything about the slabbing techniques on something like this? Whoever had it slabbed did a good job, it is never coming out of this thing.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Something interesting. http://www.10news.com/politics/4670714/detail.html

Federal law prohibits the use of the congressional seal on commercial products unless Congress has given express consent.

http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/article_31d9c560-fea6-54c5-ac3e-c5cada40a7ab.html

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Do any of you guys and gals know anything about the slabbing techniques on something like this? Whoever had it slabbed did a good job, it is never coming out of this thing.

It was popular in the 60's and 70's to seal coins or company tokens in clear Lucite to be used as paperweights or just to sit on the desk. I agree with the others its a small Lucite paperweight or desk decoration. Its not made to ever come out. I dont know why the hole? http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1962-lucite-paperweight-timmins-ontario-canada-coin
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/nifty-clear-lucite-coin-paperweight

My Mom was always bringing Lucite items home from work. http://custom.nwtmint.com/products_lucite.php

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Lucite was very popular in the 60s and 70s for office furniture as well. Your medallion is permanently cast into the Lucite and was never intended to be removed. I have never tried to break one open.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate)


(click on Did you mean: Poly(methyl methacrylate))

 

[Raimes11]

Good info. I put up some more pics, hopefully they are a little better. And here are 2 more zoomed in close.

Now I just got to figure out what this really is inside this bombproof Lucite.

 

[Broken knee]

Ok, after some more time rereading your post and more searching I understand now. Broken Knee, that was from a youtube video you found correct?
I watched the video and it does not really look like it to me. I dont really see how it could of been a lapel pin. There is really nothing like this I can find so far. Kind of frustrating..

Do any of you guys and gals know anything about the slabbing techniques on something like this? Whoever had it slabbed did a good job, it is never coming out of this thing.

yes you are correct it was on youtube not mine. I couldn't figure out moving the video and when i saw the name of the poster I really didn't want to post it.
Broken Knee

 

[Raimes11]

haha, ya good call on that.

 

[Broken knee]

haha, ya good call on that.

right
BK

 

[diggummup]

Intersting item. Maybe the hole is there because it was used as a keychain.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Intersting item. Maybe the hole is there because it was used as a keychain.

I think Digg got it! Heres another similar. I agree its a key chain fob.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...6&si=c3qEeJaabEc9pewT2T4oB0DhAWk%3D&viewitem=

 

[Raimes11]

Ya I agree it was made into a keychain. But the thing thats stumping me is what was it originally. I cant find anything like it online. The coin looks pretty old to me. And the detail and relief on the eagle look very good, like somebody really took their time. But why? What was it used for when it was first cast.
Thank you for all your responses.
Wish someone out there had the exact same coin in their possession and could give me a positive id. Its frustrating not knowing the history of it.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Ya I agree it was made into a keychain. But the thing thats stumping me is what was it originally. I cant find anything like it online. The coin looks pretty old to me. And the detail and relief on the eagle look very good, like somebody really took their time. But why? What was it used for when it was first cast.
Thank you for all your responses.
Wish someone out there had the exact same coin in their possession and could give me a positive id. Its frustrating not knowing the history of it.

I understand it is not a positive ID but it is definitely NOT a coin because it has no monetary denomination. I dont even think its a token. I doubt its old either unless you consider 60's-70's old. Its probably the same age as the Lucite. Encasing "coins" in Lucite was not a practice to preserve something old or valuable. They were made together IMO, possibly as a gift for Congressional members.