George washington 1st president coin/token

My nephew got this coin in change from a retail store 5 years ago. I tried to find some info back then without any results. I forgot all about the coin/medal, until I saw this thread.
The last letter on the other side looks like an S. (right above the L in MEDAL)
Thanks for all the help.

 

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Your medal is an 1865 issue by Wm. Idler, a philadelphia Coin Dealer , who was acclaimed for being among the first numismatists in the U.S. He was born in 1808 and died in 1901. His son-inlaw , was the notable John Hazeltine, which he left the Coin Business to, and his son, Robert Idler took care of the Jewelry business. Personally, I'm in awe, that stuff like this continues to pop up in circulation these days. Many of his medal issue's were made by Lovett, and it's a better than good guess that this one is also one of his . I would put the Rarity factor at about R-7 for this piece , as these were produced by the thousand's . It's a terrific piece of Numismatic History. I would like to add this to my collection, and would make you a fair offer if you desired to sell. Please send me a private message to discuss the details, if you so desire. Glad I could help identify this for you. Tom.

 

It's a Civil War token, part of the patriotic series. Obv die 112 (not 111 as mentioned earlier) and reverse 396. This die pairing comes in copper R-1, brass R-9, and silverplated copper R-1. This is the only reverse that comes paired with the 112 obverse and the 396 reverse never comes with the 111 obverse. The only other obverse that comes paired with the 396 1 medal reverse is obverse 19. 19 is one of the left facing capped bust Liberty head dies based on the bust created by Lovett. (see the Confederate cent)

The inscription above the 1 is WILSONS, and at the top between the ends of the wreath is an H. This is the die engravers initial and is credited to Charles D Horter of New York City. The obverse die was most like engraved by George J Glaubrecht, also of New York City. These two engravers lived close to each other and were apparently on good terms with each other because there are pairings of their dies and some of their dies are even punchlinked together. (Same punches used on dies made each engraver.)

 

There is just one thing. Wilson did not issue any 1865 's , the obv die you identify is an 1838 issue. W. Idler on the other hand , did in fact issue an 1865 G.W. Bust medalet using the same reverse as previous. The reverse image is not clear, but think you might see W.Idler as the inscribed name. I could be wrong though. I see why you suggest it is a " Wilson's " CWT , I have my Geo. & Melvin Fuld Patriotic CWT Catalog and your observation is well justified. I haven't been able to locate any Wilson's dated 1865 though in any auction listings. If you have one identified, I'd like to take note of it.

 

O.K. It looks as if Condor's attribution is correct after all. The medal " nak" is questioning is an 1863 after all and not an 1865 as I had been thinking. I stand corrected. Idler did however issue 1865's using the same obv and rev simply changing " Wilson's " to W. Idler . In the end, it's still a prize to have found that in circulation no less. http://cgi.ebay.com/NGC-AU-Civil-Wa...ultDomain_0&hash=item4aa69c2490#ht_500wt_1156 another issue to view.

 

no there is nothing inscribed on the rim

 

I also haven't found any information about your medal. I'll continue to try to locate something. Perhaps others may be looking for you as well.

 

You guys are good.
I have the token in front of me and I can’t make out the date or the letters in back of the coin, until both of you pointed out those facts.
Yes, it is 1863. I do see the letters WIL S, which WILSONS is the right fit. And I can see the H between the wreaths.
Thank you both for all the info.

 

Your quite Welcome.

 

Just in case if anyone is interested, I found pictures of the Token in a lot better condition.
A dealer had a few tokens in VG for $16 to $20.

 

What site did you locate this on ?

 

Civil War Token Dies
http://cwt.michigano.org/Civil_War_Patriotic_Token_Die_List_29.htm
The dealer site is
http://civilwartokens.com/patriotic_2.htm

 

I don't see how you located that medal on that site. I see nothing in any of the image listings. I see the Idler store token, which dates prior to 1863 . Please give the link to the page where you found that image. Thanks.

 

Civil War Token Resources — Patriotic Die Photographs
http://cwt.michigano.org/Civil_War_Patriotic_Token_Die_List_29.htm

 

That's great Thank you.

 

Here one a GW collector may like

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300497326801