So, I bought something on Ebay listed as an "Unknown Coin" . . .

. . . . and it finally arrived.

Your thoughts?

Z

 

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Other side?

 

I ran that picture through Google reverse image search. It appears to be a one tael coin from China.

 

Yea, other side or it does't exist .

 

From what I am seeing it is probably a 'false Shekel,' would need to see the other side to be sure - it could just be an obvious fake of an ancient Shekel. Below is a link to one that I sold a while back with a description of what they are / how they were used:

https://norantyki.com/archive/p/false-shekel-ca-1900-token-medal-by-kenning

 

Like the others said... Other side PLEASE!

 

Yes, I agree, some kind of fake Shekel. Below is a pic, got it off Wiki.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shekel

 

@fretboard Just to clarify, a False Shekel and a fake Shekel are not the same thing - the former is a ritual item, the other is just a reproduction meant to deceive.

As mentioned, we will need to see the other side to know which this is.

 

A Dropa stone?

 

@lordmarcovan as stated previously, the linked example is not a fake, but rather a 'False' Shekel. False Shekels are ritual items, and not intended to deceive, unlike a fake. There are a wide range of styles and types of False Shekels, but as far as I know none use the bunch of grapes. Without seeing the other side of OP's example, we cannot know whether this is a fake or False Shekel.

 

its a fake psuedo Jewish coin, maybe if real silver, used for ritual purposes.

 

Not fake. It's a real item made in tribute.


The seller had no idea what it was, but it's one of the coolest Masonic pennies I've ever seen.

Z

 

maybe i am wrong - delete

 

@ZoidMeister that is a really neat piece - a modern continuance of the 'False Shekel.' I have never seen one like it before - what are the diameter and weight?

 

I will have to get that for you. I am guessing it is bronze of some type. It was very dirty when I got it and I gave it an acetone bath before the photo shoot.

It is about the size of a quarter, give or take. It's at my office, so specifics will have to wait until Monday.

What most folks don't know, is that many EARLY Masonic pennies contain references and symbolism from ancient Judaism. Many early colonial and Masonic pennies bear these initials - HTWSSTKS. This stands for "Hiram, Tyrian Widow's Son, Sendeth to King Soloman."

I am ignorant of the story behind the story on that and need to do much more research, but I do know that I discovered that MANY of the very early American Masonic pennies bear ancient Judaism symbolism, such as this one that shows the Arc of the Covenant. Both of these pieces also bear the HTWSSTKS as well.

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Another enigma I must solve is the reference to "One Penny" on most of these Masonic tokens. I know there is the phrase, "To Every Man, A Penny" that is associated with Masonic membership, but again, I am ignorant (for now) of the origins of this.


Many of the early framers of our Constitution and country were Masons - again, I need to do more research to edjamacate myself, but the most notable Americans who were Masons were George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.

The modern day Shriner's, those goof-balls who run around in clown outfits driving clown cars and raising money for children's hospitals? They're all Masons.

You see a lot of Masonic symbolism still in our currency today.

The original piece I posted in very notable in it's striking. The edges / rims are very pronounced, almost wire like. It almost looks machined rather than struck. The second piece above looks more modern in its strike.

I have no idea the age or origin of the first Masonic penny I posted. It might be early colonial or even British in origin. No idea about it's age either.

Here is another really nice example I have been able to acquire. There isn't any ancient biblical symbolism in this one, but a LOT of these vintage Masonic tokens are exceedingly well made. This is probably in tribute to their early builders / stonemason roots.

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The piece above almost looks like it were molded of terracotta, but is actually a copper struck piece by Childs die sinkers of Chicago.

Many of these early Masonic pennies, when they can be found, can be purchased at quite reasonable cost, given their age, quality and relative rarity. Now that I've started discussing them, it will probably drive their prices up . . . . LOL.

Anyway, I thought it was a cool piece and thought I would share.

Z

 

LOL, I just followed your link. And the references to Masonic rituals is mentioned. Correct you were . . . . .

Z

 

Doing some deep Google searches now.

What I am finding interesting is those initials, HTWSSTKS, are marked upon a shape commonly known as a "keystone."

It's shape makes it fit to use as a capstone of an arch, anchoring all the other stones in place, from the very top of the arch.

What's also interesting is this symbol, the "keystone", is also the recognized symbol for the state of Pennsylvania. I haven't read this just yet, but I am guessing William Penn, first Governor of Pennsylvania, was a huge Mason advocate . . . . . . .

Yet another "rabbit hole" I find myself in . . . . .

Z

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Woah, here is the full story on these pieces. An interesting read, and it reveals their true purpose and meaning . . . . . .

http://darkfiber.com/tomb/htwsstks.html

Now I also know why many of these pieces bear unique initials and symbols in the center of them.

Z