Unusual Mason Penny

Lots of Stuff

There are many items my very spry 89 y.o. father keeps from His father, the Mason.

Big gold watch & bejeweled fobs, which I have. Rings of course. Lots of "stuff" my father had was turned back over to the local chapter, like his sword and as my Dad called it "costume" and some jewelery.

Thank you all for helping me identify these items for what they are.
I'll keep my eyes open for any other coins.

 

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Masonic lincoln stamped pennies

When did the Masonic's begin. I posted my penny to keep on this page. The picture really does not do it justice....'there is a lot more detail and looks good. On this thread, there is another mason stamped penny also, look at it, and the mentioned something about letters being on it. Mine has letters too...I see the S, but can't read the other one yet.

wonder if these pennies belonged originally to the masonic members, and what year they joined...who knows?

 

Thanks so much for filling in the information! That anagram was perplexing my research. Couldn't get the letters in the right order to figure that out. I'm very glad to know and learn about this. The engraved script is quite nice.

If actual examples of the work of these silver smiths exist, like flatware, cups, plaques/awards, platters, baby rattles, decorative pieces and such that they may have created, which are likely now considered museum collection worthy as objects from that era if still in good condition or if they happen to be of particularly superior craft and design quality, might bring about further value to your coin. Yet nothing will match the heirloom value, that's for sure.

 

Thanks Tim. The Lincoln cents with Masonic counter-stamps are still readily available online on Masonic supply websites. They are generally just a novelty pocket coin yet could represent the coin with the 'Mark' of a Mason given to them when one is made a Mason.

I've always admired and been intrigued by traditional Masonic regalia, lodge banners for one, in their handmade quality and simple iconic forms to the symbols on them (esp. the more rudimentary ones you come across in antique stores), the tradition of metal work and linking of symbols and established society is fundamental too. The group has never seemed subversive or mystical in the least bit to me, rather reassuring in its lineage and parallel to how the symbols Masons used and applied to monetary designs or reflected in urban planning, wherever they exist, represent a continuity over time and it is no mystery to know the early American Mason's were responsible for imbibing a solid design foundation to much of America's coin and currency.

 

kneil3 Thanks for posting the reverse.

 

Gottcha. Thanks.

 

Isn't "Art Director" like Military Music?

Well, the heirloom value is genetically getting thin. Gramps had 10 siblings, all gone now.
Gramps was an architect and had two sons; one now gone from injuries from WWII. And my Dad, also an architect, had 5 children....and I'm the only "Breeder" from his brood with one daughter to pass it onto.

And she is a Californicated vegan restaurant operator/chef about to marry into a Jewish pig farming commune just north of San Fran with no interest in History. Go figure.

Since my Dad has been Pres. of two Southern Ohio Historical Societies (Scioto Cty & the Erie Canal Society) they will most likely end up there before too long.

Perhaps I'll have a chance to figure out the rest of the token this weekend. Dad likes to play in the local orchestra for the 4th celebration so we visit.

Thanks for the info!

 

Got this in an inherentance

 

That's beautiful. Love the color and the design, so simple and historic looking to. A great addition to this thread. Thank you for adding this piece. :bow:

 

Your welcome.
Here is the other one I posted on the other thread.

 

Thanks sweet wheatz !

And this site, again, has some further background as well as the image which shows a style of punch, used to make the counter-stamp on coins like these.

http://askaboutcoins.com/2009/04/what-are-masonic-pennies/

 

Not exactly the same design but, I am guessing each lodge has a different design.

 

That seems to be the case and that the marks and designs while similar developed and varied over the years. I'd like to see more examples of the stamps but the coined penny like your first one is quite interesting as are some of the hand engraved pieces of the 19th century that I've seen on here.

 

And the best part. The name Wyatt Elliot is my daughters Great Great Grandfather.

 

Absolutely!:high5:

 

If you are interested, the id number for your penny is 6761, assuming my assumption of the metal being copper is correct. This die pair was used to make copper, silver, aluminum, brass and bronze pennies. Of course, normally the cartouch was blank as issued.

 

That is very cool, certainly something to hang on to!

 

An update on the origional piece. Arthur Muriph's son has contacted me through a private message on this site and soon the piece will be back where it belongs. Sadly I had one piece of information incorrect. Arthur passed away in 2003. I have had several people offer to purchase this coin but felt it should be returned if the family could be found and cointalk made that possible.

Richard

 

:thumb:

 

Richard that's such a great wrap up to your detective work in learning the provenance of this piece and finding those for whom it still holds personal or sentimental value. I would love to know if there was any back story to the piece, such as, was it not known by family to exist, lost for a long time, etc. but also understand there may be no such story nor could this be the place to divulge such information. All the best on a numismatic sleuthing adventure well done. Also, I really appreciate you circled back here to the thread to update us.