Hi All, I am trying to get some info on this thing. It is a Washington Medal from 1889 It seems to be listed as Douglas 51. Not being a token or Medal expert by any means, I have no resources describing this. What I have seen on the web indicates that this should have a hole in it and it doesn't! I've also seen reference to the fact that there are some of these that were struck in a soft metal none of which exist anymore. This one is definitely a soft metal and it surely exists. It is about the size of a U.S. Silver Dollar. Any help on this would be apreciated. I found this in a roll of large sized dollar coins , years ago, included what I know about it in a column, then put it away until now. Further research indicates that this may be a rare piece. Thanks, Bill
Bill, It should have a hole as issued,yours somehow escaped the "drill man" unless that's a filled in hole I detect above the head?? "All examples are holed and were issued with a red, white a blue suspension ribbon that was 4mm wide and five inches long. The obverse shows an undraped bust left portrait of Washington with the dates on the reverse." http://www.coins.nd.edu/WashToken/WashTokenText/1889.html
Hi, I checked this thing with a fine tooth comb. No sign of a hole or a plugged hole. It is not the usual "white metal" and is actually pretty soft. Where do I go from here? Thanks for your quick response, Bill
I agree - looks like a filled hole from here, but of course we are not holding it. Also, the spacing of the letters shows that a hole was supposed to be there. As for the token not beibg white metalk because it is of a soft material, I always understood white metal to be aluminum.
I agree a hole should probably be there, but if it was filled at a later date, someone did a fantastic job. I rather suspect it was never holed though.
Hi Again, Thanks, Definitely never holed. The odd thing about the composition is that it is much softer than aluminum. I took it out of my briefcase and it had a slight but "new" bend. I discovered that it was the soft metal by just putting it on the table, applying a little pressure and pressing it back into shape. To describe the consistency, it seems to be between aluminum and lead. Harder than lead, but still pliable and much softer and heavier than I would expect an aluminum piece of this size to be. I'm hoping I found my "Million Dollar Wonder", but seriously folks Anything new on this piece would be great! Have Fun, Bill
I doubt any token or medal is worth anywhere near 1000000, but it could be s die trial of some sort. As for the metal, aluminum and lead are worlds apart in weight, so that should give a clue. Maybe tin? Pewter?
This is a Centennial of Washington's Inaugeration, the Chicago Commemoration (there were other locations as well, designated by an additional letter added to the Douglas 51 id. The obverse is the same as a Douglas 4. Listed values in 1999 were $10 in VF, $25 in XF, and $40 in Unc. Rarity is an R-3 (500 to 1999 known). Also known as Rulau Il-Ch-7; Collins 436. The letters in the Rulau id are abbreviations for Illinois, Chicago. Rulau's 2004 catalog does not show your variety, but does show the Peru, Illinois variety, and lists it at $75 in XF. However, that variety is a bit scarcer at 3 known. This is listed as being made from White Metal, which I believe yours to be from your pics and description. Rulau indicates WM is actually pot metal, or lead alloy. Fuld describe WM as a soft composition alloy metal that is light in weight and color, with a strong resemblance to newly minted aluminum pieces (silver-white). Kanzinger describes WM as non-magnetic. A heavier metal which makes it distinguishable versus tin. A soft composition and light in color. Often compared in high grades to chrome. Will not give a sharp, lasting ring. While these were typically holed, I would consider it unusual, but not extremely unusual to see examples that were not holed, and it would likely add some premium if you were going to sell this piece. I have two unholed tokens myself that were typically issued with holes.
Another avenue to research would be the copyright....I can't make out all the details on the lip/rim but I've found out alot about antiques by tracking down the copyright.
Hi, Thanks, This is more than I knew before. I wish I could get an idea of the rarity of this particular unholed variety. Could this be my "million dollar wonder"? I won't hold my breath Thanks again!! Bill
