Unusual coin or token

[Iron Buzz]

OK, this is going to be a tough one, if even possible. I found it in a cornfield that had a house on the 1879 county map. There was plenty of old bits of broken dishes, pottery, and glass around to confirm that there was a dwelling nearby. Newest thing found there other than a few soda cans was a 1917 Wheatie.

Non-magnetic, rang up like copper/bronze (and looks like bronze). Weighs 6g, for what that may be worth.

1" diameter, 1/16" thick at the edge. Seems to be a possible date on the first picture, at about 9:00, but I can't read it with any certainty.





See below for some additional images

 

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[aguerrero56]

almost looks like a Hem weight.

 

[Iron Buzz]

almost looks like a Hem weight.

I've never seen a hem weight with that sort of detail, plus they all have a hole in the center with a cross-bar in the middle of that. I'm sure that it isn't lead, either. But I will agree with you that it "almost looks like" one.

 

[Rookster]

Nice find.

 

[creskol]

It has animals on it .. May be an agricultural token.

 

[Iron Buzz]

It has animals on it .. May be an agricultural token.

Now, that's interesting! What animals do you see, and where?

 

[creskol]

Now, that's interesting! What animals do you see, and where?

This is what I see on the bottom photo:

 

[Iron Buzz]

I was just taking another look with a 30x loupe and noticed something that I had missed before. Put it under the microscope for a better look. Almost looks like the surface of one side is a thin veneer... like a thin disk, with a very tiny gap between it and the edge of the coin. I hope these pictures can show well enough what I'm talking about.

 

[Iron Buzz]

A closeup showing what I believe to be a date. Also notice the reeding on the rim.

 

[Iron Buzz]

This is what I see on the bottom photo:

Thanks for taking the time to do that... incredible work! But I think you're just seeing an artifact of the particular lighting when I took that photo. I doubt you'd see that in real life or with other lighting.

Not saying that it isn't a token, but its much thicker than any token I've seen. Kind of like comparing a fatty IH to a regular one.

 

[1637]

are those boars

 

[lairmo]

are those boars

no it's a squirrel ...see the acorn under the forearm? j/k

 

[creskol]

A closeup showing what I believe to be a date. Also notice the reeding on the rim.

View attachment 1645478

I think it is lettering .. can't read it but ...

 

[jeff of pa]

my first impression was Transportation token,

and LINCOLN starting at the 9 O'clock area



just A stretch if the holes rusted shut



Not all Transportation Tokens Have Holes Either

 

[Iron Buzz]

my first impression was Transportation token,

and LINCOLN starting at the 9 O'clock area

View attachment 1645508

I can kind of see that. Certainly is a possibility.

One more thing that I almost hesitate to say, but it does look as though it may have remnants of a gold wash. I noticed it more in the direct sunlight today than I do tonight under artificial lights but I can still see a few specks that look gold.

 

[A2coins]

I go with what Jeff found!!!!!!!

 

[Iron Buzz]

Update: I decided that if nobody could figure out what it was, that I wasn't going to hurt anything by trying electrolysis. And it is working! Its far enough along now that I was able to ID it, and I am very happy! Sadly, the photographs are gone, but the gilding is still at least somewhat in place... I will post more pics when its finished.

https://www.loriferber.com/categori...paign-ferrotype-button-abe-no-beard-shot.html

This is an original and authentic button from the 1860 campaign of Abraham Lincoln for President and Hanibal Hamlin for Vice President. This is a scarce ferrotype style button with a clean shaven (no beard) photo of the soon to be President.

The front of the button has a photo of Presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln with the words Abraham Lincoln 1860 surrounding the photo on the brass ring holder. The reverse has a photo of Lincoln's running mate for Vice President Hannibal Hamlin. Frame is holed at top for suspension, as originally made. A nice example from Lincoln's first presidential campaign.

In reasonable condition for its age, but certainly not a pristine example - but one that is priced low accordingly.

 

[lairmo]

That's awesome!!! It wasn't a Boar or a squirrel, it was an Illinois Log Splitter!

 

[Iron Buzz]

my first impression was Transportation token,

and LINCOLN starting at the 9 O'clock area

View attachment 1645508View attachment 1645509

just A stretch if the holes rusted shut

Excellent job of recognizing "Lincoln", Jeff! Not a transportation token, but a campaign token! Sadly, the photographs are gone. It does still have some of the gold plate left, though.

Here's another reference to it: Abraham Lincoln Campaign Ferrotypes

 

[Iron Buzz]

After electrolysis and careful cleaning with Naval Jelly