Let's see your exonumia!

This ugly, corroded Civil War token is actually extremely rare and historically significant. Although struck and engraved examples of Civil War dog tags are quite scarce and thus hold significant value, counterstamped coins or tokens used as body identification are almost unknown today. I haven't seen more than one or two that I feel are genuine, those that were actually carried by a soldier during the war and not made after as a memento or remembrance piece. After researching and closely examining this one that I acquired just recently, I'm certain that its a genuine example. The caption appears on the reverse of a holed 1863 McClellan Patriotic token...die 141. While the reverse has been smoothed off, I believe it's a 141/307a or b.

The counterstamp reads "C. Cate / A12NH / Alton," After researching the piece, I found that a Charles E. Cate from Alton, NH saw duty with A Company of the 12th New Hampshire Regiment during the Civil War. He probably stamped it himself as it's very crudely done.

Cate was born in 1842 in South Berwick, ME. His father, Eliazer or Eleazer Cate, was a shoemaker as Charles would be in later years. By 1860 that family had removed to Alton, Belknap Co., NH. Two years later at age 20 Charles enlisted in the army. The bulk of the enlisted men of the 12th hailed from Belknap, Strafford or Grafton Counties. The regiment mustered in in late August or early September, 1862. Cate served with them until October 29, 1863, when he was transferred to 49th Co., 2nd Battalion at a convalescent camp in Virginia. Apparently, he had been wounded or had become diseased while serving. He mustered out on June 26, 1865 in Washington, D.C.

During Cate's active duty with the12th they were heavily engaged at Fredericksburg, VA. December 12-15, 1862 and at Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863. At Gettysburg his regiment saw desperate combat north of the Klingel Farm against Wilcox's Alabama Brigade. Of 224 men who fought at the farm 32 were killed, 73 wounded and 50 captured. The next day...3 July... the regiment could muster only 50 men fit for duty, and were transferred to Co.B under Capt. Thomas Barker's command. There they were placed in the middle of the Union line that would withstand the desperate Confederate assault known as Pickett's Charge.

I do know that Cate survived the war, but haven't yet found much about his later life. He died on February 10, 1927 in Haverhill, MA. at age 85.

This piece appears to have been dug, so he may have lost it on the battlefield or simply discarded it when his service ended with the 12th in October, 1863. Thanks for looking.

Bruce

 

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Amazing piece! I love the history behind pieces like this. Congrats, my friend!

 

Fantastic write up Bruce. Thankyou!

 

Super piece! I would love to find one of these.

 

Thanks for your comments everyone. I would love to know where this dog tag has been for the past 150 years, but its seen tough times, both during and after the war. I can only speculate as to its history. Was it dug, and if so, where and by whom. The only thing I do know is that it once resided in the old time collection of token collector Bob Miller. I have no idea how to contact him, or for that matter if he's still alive. I bought it from Steve Hayden at auction and plan on contacting him to see if he can help me. It would be very special to me if I could construct a chain of ownership and an actual history of the piece itself.

Bruce

 

That would be great. I wish you luck Bruce. You ever get tired of these...or if you see one come up you're not interested in feel free to let me know please.

 

I probably won't, Jack, but if I do, I'll remember your interest. BTW, Steve Hayden has forwarded my email to the consignor of the piece. Hopefully he'll respond.

Bruce

 

Ya...I didn't think so...but you know...

Hopefully you find some more info.

 

Women's Metro golf Assoc ball marker



Plus the usual assortment of presidential game coins! That's it for this edition.

 

Photos from the seller, whose house payment I've been making since November it would seem. OH-200-J-2a. Rarity 5. He says VF+. I agree with the +. I see an XF40 coin in the pics, can't wait to see it in hand.

 

In today's mail

 

Seller's pics. Got this one today, really like the token but would love some more information about it if anyone has some!

 

Google is your friend, "viel feind, viel ehr" the 1513 Battle of La Motta, routing the vastly outnumbering Venetian troops according to Frundsberg's motto Viel Feind', viel Ehr' ("Many foes, much honor").

 

I got that far... Even ended up on some German language sites. I just wondered if anyone had info about the token itself. Thanks for your help though!

 

Seller pics - picked this up from one of my favorite dealers for a fair price. My kind of transaction!

 

I picked this out of the dollar bin at my LCS last weekend. It's the size of a half dollar, weighs 9.37 grams, and is magnetic. I picked it out because I spent 3 years in Rhode Island and that's where I met my wife

 

Great score for a dollar @furryfrog02 !

 

Yeah? I can't find much about it besides a few ebay listings. I'm curious to know who made it, mintage, etc...

 

We were in Newport for three weeks once taking midshipmen out every morning for training then back in the afternoon.

That was a fantastic town!