I dug this a couple days ago and can't id it. I've cleaned it with soap and water and I'm able to make out some details (it appears to be a LIBERTY HEAD with six pointed stars around it on the front and on the back it has a wreath). I'm afraid to clean it with anything stronger because I was told if the coin is rare you will decrease the value by cleaning it. I thought about soaking it in olive oil but have leaned recently that olive oil can blacken it too much. I think the coin/token is silver but I'm really not sure. When I first pull it out of the ground I thought the coin had been through some kinda trauma accounting for its odd oval shape but as I cleaned it up I realized it was made like that because the detail on the coin corresponds with the shape. I've tried to reseach it but have come up empty, the only thing that comes close is some gold coins (in RED BOOK) from mid 1800's. I also was able to find some California gold coin/tokens from the gold rush era (in WORLD COINS) that looked like mine but none were oval although some were octagon. All the coins I've been able to find that has the same detail as mine (the LIBERTY HEAD with stars on the front and the wreath on the back) are gold and I think the one I have is silver or maybe brass/bronze so I have no idea what it is. I'm hoping someone here can help me with the IDing of this coin/token. Please if you know anything about this coin reply to my post or if you're not sure and just want to guess that can be a big help also! Anything is welcomed! I've attached some pictures of the token/coin and also of something that kinda looks like it from the RED BOOK. Also whats the best way to clean it? Heres the links to see the coin:
Hello John, Welcome, I don't think it is silver. I think its copper or copper bronze. I detect to and any silver I have ever pulled out, has come out silver. Just my opinion but I believe I would maybe heat it a little in a pan of Olive oil a couple times, not sliding it around the pan. Maybe use a teflon pan so as not to scratch the coin/medal whatever. The olive oil works great on coppers or bronzes, it would at least loosen the visible grains of sand or dirt. Also the olive oil won't darken silver and if its copper/bronze the oil will help keep the natural patina. I don't have to tell you as you sound like you know that rubbing scraping or brushing on the piece will ruin it's value. Best of luck let me see the piece when you've gotten some of the crude off, its very interesting as I can make out the head and stars. Maybe some type of Indian peace medal we get those on occasion here in Texas. Let some others put in there input and ideas. Best to you, Bluesmanmoney
Measurements The diameter is approx. 30 mm tall by 22 mm width. As for as the edges go I'm not sure what you mean. The edges look to be clean. I still think it was purposely made like this because the design on it corresponds with the oval shape of the coin. The coin/token I found weighs about 10.7 grams just the same weight as a large cent, but the wreath on mine doesn't look like the large cents in Red Book. Is mine a mint error lager cent and valuable or is it what they call a "Hard time token" and if so would mine be worth $$$ because I can't find my type in any book. Tell me what you think. Also whats the best way to clean it?
To be quite honest I don't think it's a coin or a token based on the shape. You may be able to see some details with the item in hand - but in the pics I can't see anything except waht looks like a small bit of raised edge on one corner. I'd suggest you try soaking it in water first and see what that will remove. Then you might try using olive oil - but that can take literally months.
Hi John and Welcome, You do have an interesting find and trying to found out if it is a coin or not is going to a task. There are a few web site that you can try and maybe they will help. Abacion Article Archive at www.abacoin.com/resources/articles/index.asp Coin Zone Articale Archive at www.coinzone.com, Early America Coppers at www.eacs.org, and Token & Medal Society at www.money.org/clubs/tams/index.html. I hope this helps and good luck.
I tinkered with the image a little and came up with this. Looks like a brass belt buckle?? Military insignia on a hat, sword scabbard, something from the fancy design or scrollwork on a gun-rifle or something?? So many thoughts going through my head. New perspectives = new ideas. Not much help, really. Just wanted you to know that I'm working on it.
Maybe some help I live in Jacksboro Texas on the old Forts trail, or Fort is Fort Richardson as at one time the frontier west in this part of Texas. I have several old bronze or brass pieces in the past that I found at Buffalo wollors out aroud the country side, buttuns fittings etc. The oil did clean it up, if you don't want to heat it ans I'm not talking frying it but getting it real warm everything I found clean up nice without destoying the original patinna. I do think you have a very neat artifact. Best , shanhartzell/Bluesmanmoney
