Dog tags / i.d. tags

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by C-B-D, Apr 3, 2018.

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  1. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    What can you tell me about these neat pieces? First one is from WWI. Not sure how they made these. The second one? I have no idea.
    DSCN3854-horz.jpg DSCN3856-horz.jpg
     
    C-B-D, Apr 3, 2018
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  3. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    C-B-D, Apr 3, 2018
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  4. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Grader, Founding Member

    The first one is called an ID disk and is from WW1. A precursor to dog tags. I have a bracelet of 4 of them from the same family linked together with native American old pawn silver.
     
    Cascade, Apr 3, 2018
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  5. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Grader, Founding Member

    The second one looks like a GAR medallion
     
    Cascade, Apr 3, 2018
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  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    I've never seen the first type. The fingerprint is pretty fascinating, and it seems it must be an ID feature from that particular serviceman. If so, how neat! I wonder how they transferred them to the metal. Acid etching?

    Edit- aha! Yes, it seems my guess was right.

    The second is, as mentioned, a GAR medallion, and a pretty neat one.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2018
    lordmarcovan, Apr 3, 2018
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  7. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    That particular G.A.R. post was chartered in June of 1883, so that medal/fob likely dates to sometime between that year and perhaps the turn of the century. Some more digging on the names of the servicemen on these pieces may yield more information. Searching while using my tiny phone screen is frustrating.
     
    lordmarcovan, Apr 3, 2018
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  8. Lawtoad

    Lawtoad Well-Known Member

    Question: Are you sure the first one is WW I era? I do not believe it is a WW I ID tag. It certainly shows the name, rank and branch (U.S. Naval Reserve Force) of a WW I veteran, but it has a birth date and and a death date. It looks more like a memorial tag made from when the individual died. There are companies out there that take the fingerprint from the individual who died and put it on a tag or necklace or bracelet. I am thinking this was made for a family member of the individual when they died.
     
    Lawtoad, Apr 3, 2018
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  9. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    The first date is the enlistment date. The second date is the birth date. Read the link that lordm posted. It's great. Right down to the details of how to create the fingerprint!
     
    C-B-D, Apr 3, 2018
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  10. Lawtoad

    Lawtoad Well-Known Member

    So he was born in in 1897?
     
    Lawtoad, Apr 3, 2018
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  11. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    Yes
     
    C-B-D, Apr 3, 2018
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  12. Lawtoad

    Lawtoad Well-Known Member

    Interesting as I have not seen the WW I era tags with an etched fingerprint. Very cool.
     
    Lawtoad, Apr 3, 2018
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  13. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    I found a Naval document online. Frederick Gustave Sandblom.
     
    C-B-D, Apr 3, 2018
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  14. iPen

    iPen Well-Known Member

    The first dog tag is pretty neat. I'm not sure how that fingerprint got etched in so well.

    This is off topic, but I wonder if there's a coin that George Washington or some other prominent historical figure mishandled and left a fingerprint on.
     
    iPen, Apr 3, 2018
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  15. Lawtoad

    Lawtoad Well-Known Member

    Very nice that you were able to connect it with the individual.
     
    Lawtoad, Apr 3, 2018
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  16. Lawtoad

    Lawtoad Well-Known Member

    Lawtoad, Apr 3, 2018
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  17. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    I found a Fred Sandblom that died in NY in 1962. Could be him. Not sure.
     
    C-B-D, Apr 3, 2018
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  18. iPen

    iPen Well-Known Member

    What is the 3-12-18 date? Maybe it's the DOB.
     
    iPen, Apr 3, 2018
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  19. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    :arghh:
     
    C-B-D, Apr 3, 2018
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  20. Lawtoad

    Lawtoad Well-Known Member

    Look at the link I posted. It tells exactly how these tags were supposed to be made including what the dates mean.
     
    Lawtoad, Apr 3, 2018
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  21. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Grader, Founding Member

    One of the ones on my bracelet has a fingerprint and one has a hand scratched crucifix cross on the back. I'll post it when I get a chance. Tag me on Saturday @C-B-D if I haven't posted it by then to remind me to dig it out.
     
    Cascade, Apr 3, 2018
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