I got this TAMS medal about 12 years ago. I really like the design. Chris. Got this medal just this past summer, thought you would like to see it. Is this the same society? Is yours made of silver?
I have been very reluctant to post this token. I appologize in advance if anyone finds offence with this, but it cannot be denied such things do exsist. I got it from my brother who worked for a company that made tokens, he found it inside of a machine that he was working on. It's kinda a double wammy.
I am not sure what to say, though a controversial token. I hope all can see it for what it is, a Token.
As with stupid and ill informed people today, They only see and think what they are told or to move with the rest of the sheeple. Had somebody flip out at a LCS when the seen the 30's style good luck token Was going to post tomorrow but will insert it here From the persons actions,words and bumper stickers on their car it wouldn't help to explain. They are only interested in their world view, and they only have the first amendment rights. The rest of the people only talk hate speech, and are deplorables. I will say I did get a great price on it to remove it from the store. You think it was radioactive!
I think these two tokens are worlds apart in controversy and intent. The first one is clearly meant for hate group supporters while the second is probably pre-WWII before the swastika was ruined. None of these tokens offend me. Numismatics can be understood or collected without endorsing the subject.
That was sort of my point, the person didn't have a clue and there was no point in trying to point out that it was a good luck symbol before it was corrupted. having spent 35 plus years working in a large metro school system. And watching the subject matter being taught by people that couldn't even talk about our American history or civics it was truly sad. There were great teachers, but it seemed that a lot of the ones were there only as a job. Sort of like the protestors that couldn't name the vice president when asked on TV!
When I lived in Japan I quickly discovered that the swastika was the symbol used to mark the Buddhist temples on maps. The use very much predates the Nazi use of the symbol and most emphatically does not even remotely correlate with that ideology. One of my Jewish friends came for a visit with her son and they were quite taken aback the first time they saw the map...but quickly understood the lack of intent and historical usage. I mean, it was for the Buddhist temples after all! That said, I was pretty disgusted by the KKK memorabilia being sold by one guy at the local coin show. He said he didn't like it, but there was a market for it...it wasn't all numismatic. I completely agree that one can collect and study without endorsing--how else can we learn? Just about any nation/ruler etc has a bloody or oppressive history of some sort. But the KKK stuff is just ick as it isn't exactly 'historical' in the real world.
Despite the the perceived Nazi connection, the good luck swastika tokens are very collectable. The advertising pieces tend to be increasingly desirable, gaining in popularity it seems. I sold a personal collection of 70+ pieces a few years ago, and the buyer didn't quibble the price. There were some off-metals and political pieces in the lot. The swami pieces, I believe, were originally sold as keepsakes at the Chicago fair in the 1930's. Regarding the KKK pieces, I've never been drawn to them, even though there's some history to be attached therewith. Any collector considering buying KKK items should be aware that there's a ton of fakes out there, often to be found at flea markets, along with fake western tokens and fake Civil War pieces.
If there is a Dollar to be made things will be faked. All very interesting, But i did not intend to change this post into something else. So back to tokens.
Don't know who made this but they were just trying to make a buck. The Gift Of Freedom. I don't think so.
I believe that your medal is for a different organization. Note the inclusion of paper money in the description. My TAMS medal was struck in sterling silver. Chris
Thanks for your reply and info. I thought it was interesting that the convention year matched up, but could not find any TAMS history where they may have changed and shortened the name.
Been doing some research on my Louis the 14th medals. I was able to find some original drawings and info! Now all I have to do is translate to English. Here's an example. I found 4 of the 7 I have. Not the greatest pics, as it was a pdf file. So I took some screen shots. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XIV_of_France