Featured Large Fin on a Lincoln Civil War Token

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by johnmilton, Dec 11, 2019.

  1. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    I was in Orlando last week and not on my desktop computer. I saw a string where collectors were talking about very large fins in a coin or token. I have tried without success to relocate that string, so I am opening a new thread to post this.

    A fin, or wire rim, is a ridge of metal that is on a coin or token as a result of an improper metal flow. The medal gets between the die and the collar which results in an extended piece of metal above the normal rim of the piece.

    This Lincoln Civil War token has the highest fin that I have ever seen. This is a rare variety. This was a “vanity piece” for a 19th century collector. It has gold filled surfaces, and was struck quite sharply, which probably accounts for the high fin.

    AL 1864-77 R Fin.jpg AL 1864-77 O.jpg Al 1864-77 R.jpg

    The Fuld variety numbers for this patriotic token are 129/349. It is listed in DeWitt/Sullivan as AL 1864-77. It is rated as an R-9 with a surviving population of 10 pieces or less. That is probably close to accurate.
     
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  3. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    I'm with ya on that count ! I've seen a lot of finning and nothing I've ever seen comes close to that !

    @geekpryde We talked about this a while back, thought you'd wanna see it.
     
  4. johnyb

    johnyb Member

    What a breathtakingly lovely token! I'm learning so much history on this site. John in OZ.
     
  5. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    Really nice piece. I like Lincolns image on the token. It's a different look from what we normally see. A really special token for sure.
     
  6. UniqueDesigns

    UniqueDesigns Civil War Token Collector

    Isn't R-9 known as 4 or fewer and R-8 10 or fewer?

    Is the fin shallow enough to fit in a slab?
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2019
  7. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Sure doesn't look like it ! It's also important to note that fins are notoriously fragile ! Almost any contact at all with anything will bend them right over, and even break them completely off.
     
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