Let's see your exonumia!

1920 Belgian Bronze Jeton
for the City Council of Brussels
by J.C. Chaplain

About 42mm in diameter
approx 26 grams





I don't know if this is a 100 year old medal, It does not look like it is. More research is needed for now. It could very well be that old though.
These were issued in both silver and bronze and over a span of many years.
The obverse remained the same.
The date on the reverse would change as well as the names of those holding office in the City Council of Brussels Belgium.

I recognized who is on this medal immediately when I saw it and for personal reasons, I thought it was an awesome piece of art and the condition is excellent.



Saint Michael the Archangel is referenced in the Old Testament and has been part of Christian teachings since the earliest times.
In Catholic writings and traditions he acts as the defender of the Church, and chief opponent of Satan; and assists souls at the hour of death.

Saint Michael is viewed as the commander of the Army of God. From the time of the apostles, he has been invoked and honored as the protector of the Church. Scripture describes him as "one of the chief princes" and the leader of Heaven's forces in their triumph over the powers of Hell.
Saint Michael defeats Satan two times, first when he ejects Satan from Paradise, and then in the final battle of the end times when the Antichrist will be defeated by him.
And when Antichrist shall have set up his kingdom on earth, it is St Michael who will unfurl once more the standard of the cross, sound the last trumpet, bind together the false prophet and the beast and hurl them for all eternity into the burning pool.

Fontaine Saint-Michel, Paris
Constructed 1858-1860
Francisque Joseph Duret

 

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SKULL AND CROSSBONES

 

My usual avatar here on CT

1895 Wannamaker Ohi-Yesa Lucky Charm Token





This very attractive and fascinating token was catalogued by token authority Russell Rulau as Phi 114, and he dated it to approximately 1895. This good luck token was issued by the Wanamaker Department Store in Philadelphia, PA, as indicated by the phrase WANAMAKER-ORIGINATOR, an advertising phrase used for years by Wanamaker, referring to the innovation demonstrated by the store.

The obverse has a very high-relief (three-dimensional) image of a Native American in full headdress, with the name OHI-YESA along the upper rim. Actually, this is an alteration of the Dakota/Sioux name Ohíye S'a, which translates as 'always wins.'

This was the Dakota name given to the prominent Santee Dakota physician, author, lecturer, and reformer Dr. Charles Eastman (1858-1939), but I can't determine the connection to Wanamaker.



Eastman was of Santee Dakota, English and French ancestry. After working as a physician on reservations in South Dakota, he became increasingly active in politics and issues on Native American rights, he worked to improve the lives of youths, and founded thirty-two Native American chapters of YMCA. He also helped found the Boy Scouts of America. He is considered the first Native American author to write American history from the Native American point of view.

The reverse has the words THE WINNER, Porte Bonheur which in French translates Lucky Charm, and WANAMAKER-ORIGINATOR. This token was struck very well, with great detail, high-relief bust, and bold lettering. The diameter is approximately 26 mm, and the composition is copper.

 

My two Bickford So-called Dollars

1897 Bickford Dollar ~ Grant HK-837





1897 Bickford Dollar. An uncertified so-called dollar struck by Dana Bickford of New York in 1897, as part of a series of eight "dollars" or patterns for an international coinage. The U.S. Congress failed to take action to approve the idea, and the project was dropped. This example is considerably worn on the reverse, with numerous contact marks but has a decent bronze planchet with the bust of General U.S. Grant within a ring of aluminum. The Hibler-Kappen catalog lists the token as "very rare." 100?


While visiting in Europe, Dana Bickford of New York City experienced the usual difficulty of travelers in getting money of one country exchanged for that of another. Upon his return, he submitted several designs for a proposed international coinage to Dr. Henry R. Linderman, then Mint Director, who approved the idea because of the saving an international coinage would afford the U.S. Government, as well as the convenience it would provide travelers abroad. Recoinage and waste on coin coming into this country amounted to approximately one-half million dollars a year at that time.

OBV
Bust of Gen. U. S. Grant within circular center, depressed into center of tomb.
Warrior Citizen Statesman
Commemorated Apr. 27, 1897 Dana Bickford Des.
semi-circle of 13 stars
Honored by All

REV
International Bi-Metal Dollar in center bronze portion border.
Legend: This Gold & Silver Coin Will be Good the World Over Fulfill a Promise & Bring Prosperity

In ovals, text reads:

Value of the U.S. Dollar
in France 5 Fr. 18c.
In Austria 3 Fl. 47 Kr.
In Japan 1 Yen
In Russia 1 Rbl. 29 K
In Germany 4 M. 20 Pf
In England 4s. 1d

With Invented and Protected by Dana Bickford between links and circular center.



Riverside Drive and West 122nd Street
The 18th U.S. President and his wife Julia rest in peace. Overlooking the Hudson River, General Grant National Memorial is the largest mausoleum in North America.

1897 Bickford Dollar HK-834





This is my second Bickford Dollar, an aluminum bi-metallic pattern.
The other being the Grant version. Both were minted in 1897.

While visiting in Europe, Dana Bickford of New York City experienced the usual difficulty of travelers in getting money of one country exchanged for that of another. Upon his return, he submitted several designs for a proposed international coinage to Dr. Henry R. Linderman, then Mint Director, who approved the idea because of the saving an international coinage would afford the U.S. Government, as well as the convenience it would provide travelers abroad. Recoinage and waste on coin coming into this country amounted to approximately one-half million dollars a year at that time.
Congress failed to take action to approve the idea, and the project was dropped.


Obverse: Within circular bronze center
Dollar in straight line
Republican in curved line above and Internat.l curved below

From circular center to border:
Four lines, making almost complete circles which read:
This Combination Coin Will When Adopted be Good in All Nations / Heal All Differences Between Gold & Silver Men / and Fully Settle All Financial Questions / Approved by All Good Business Men.

Reverse: Bronze center with same inscription.
Between outer circle and beaded border:
Here is Shown the Value of Our Dollar in the Coin of Different Nations of the World.
Eight links contain exchange ratio to US Dollar.

Sterling 4.2
Francs 5.20
Kronen 3.80
Gulden 2.8
Marken 4.16
Guilder 2.50
Rouble 9.65
Yen 1.1;

Between inner circle and center, Invented and Protected by Dana Bickford.

 

1905 - 1933 Muskogee Electric Traction Company Transportation Token

Muskogee Electric Traction Company
Indian Capital of the World
One Fare Transportation Token
Muskogee Oklahoma

22mm White Metal




I do not know if this company ran a bus line by the same name. It is possible this is for a bus line around 1950 but Muskogee’s trolley company was the third system in operation in Indian Territory and began operation March 15, 1905.
The company operated five miles of track between Muskogee and Hyde Park and an interurban line of 10 miles between Muskogee and Fort Gibson.

A 5-cent fare was charged for each continuous passage in the city. Students between the ages of 6 and 15 years paid only a 2 1/2-cent fare. It cost 10 cents for passage to the amusement park at Hyde Park on the banks of the Arkansas River. The fare to Fort Gibson was 25 cents.

By July 1905, the Muskogee Daily Phoenix reported the line had 10 cars in service and four more ordered and on their way, according to Ira L. Reeves, president of Muskogee Electric Traction Co.

Successful operations would continue for more than 25 years. By 1916, company trackage reached its maximum of 31 miles, including the line to Fort Gibson, which also served Bacone Indian College.



On March 9, 1933, the trolley system was abandoned and performed freight services for another year by using two gasoline locomotives on the Fort Gibson tracks.

The company discontinued the use of electric power, and in 1941, it applied to the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon all lines and discontinue operation.

Merle Haggard
We like livin' right, and bein' free

 

1924 Womens Christian Temperance Jubilee Penny
64 mm
Bronze





At its founding in 1874, the stated purpose of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was to create a "sober and pure world" by abstinence, purity, and evangelical Christianity. Annie Wittenmyer was its first president.
The constitution of the WCTU called for "the entire prohibition of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage." The Woman's Christian Temperance Union is still an active international temperance organization but has been declining in membership since the 1940's.

Frances Willard, a noted feminist, was elected the WCTU's second president in 1879 and Willard grew the organization to be the largest organization of women in the world by 1890. She remained president until her death in 1898.
Its members were inspired by the Greek writer Xenophon, who defined temperance as "moderation in all things healthful; total abstinence from all things harmful." In other words, should something be good, it should not be indulged in to excess; should something be bad for you, it should be avoided altogether — thus their attempts to rid society of what they saw (and still see) as the dangers of alcohol.

The WCTU perceived alcohol as a cause and consequence of larger social problems rather than as a personal weakness or failing. The WCTU also advocated against tobacco. The American WCTU formed a "Department for the Overthrow of the Tobacco Habit" as early as 1885 and frequently published anti-tobacco articles in the 1880s. Agitation against tobacco continued through to the 1950s.

As a consequence of its stated purposes, the WCTU was also very interested in a number of social reform issues, including labor, prostitution, public health, sanitation, and international peace. As the movement grew in numbers and strength, members of the WCTU also focused on suffrage.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union conducts a White Ribbon Recruit (WRR) ceremony, in which babies are dedicated to the cause of temperance through a white ribbon being tied to their wrists, with their adult sponsors pledging to help the child live a life free from alcohol and other drugs.

(I really wouldn't have a hard time with this) LOL . . .
I'll go along with that slogan.
She is NOT looking better every beer, if you know what I mean.

 

India bank token, 22.99 grams, 36mm D, appears to be made of CN

 

1904 US Express Co. Security Dispatch
HK-736 Brass So-called Dollar
34 mm




U.S. EXPRESS CO., 50th ANNIVERSARY 1904. These medals were struck at the U.S. Mint. According to Julian, 100 were struck in silver, and an additional 20,891 were struck in brass and bronze combined.
This one is Bright Brass.

The United States Express Company, which operated from 1854 to 1914, was a privately owned company that forwarded parcels and freight. The company served the northern states from New England west to Colorado.

The express business–transportation of parcels and valuables–was begun in America by William F. Harnden, an employee of Boston & Worcester R.R., who, in 1839, established a “package express” between Boston and New York.
After a slow start, the idea caught on and during the following two decades dozens of express company operations were launched along various railroad and steamboat routes, many of which were eventually absorbed by larger outfits like Adams and American.

 

In Memory of My Army Life
on the Mexican Border Medal
35mm Bronze





Trust in The Lord and Keep Your Powder Dry with eagle, shield and US flag on reverse
Undated but most attribute to circa 1917. I personally think it may be a year or three later.

This is very similar to so-called dollar HK-892
Service With American Army In the Worlds War 1917 Medal except cactus was added in the background of the same kneeling soldier on mine here.
Reverse is the same. 35 mm Bronze.

Another very similar medal Service With American Army In France with more detail in background than HK-892 and some of these three have 1918 or 1917 or are undated and of different compositions.

Mexican Border War (1910–1919)

The Border War, or the Border Campaign, refers to the military engagements which took place in the Mexico–United States border region of North America during the Mexican Revolution. The Bandit War in Texas was part of the Border War. From the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1910, the United States Army was stationed in force along the border and on several occasions fought with Mexican rebels or federals.

The height of the conflict came in 1916 when revolutionary Pancho Villa attacked the American border town of Columbus, New Mexico. In response, the United States Army, under the direction of General John J. Pershing, launched an expedition into northern Mexico, to find and capture Villa.
Though the operation was successful in finding and engaging the Villista rebels, and in killing Villa's two top lieutenants, the revolutionary himself escaped and the American army returned to the United States in January 1917.
Conflict at the border continued, however, and the United States launched several additional, though smaller operations into Mexican territory until after the American victory in the Battle of Ambos Nogales, leading to the establishment of a permanent border wall.

American and Mexican forces skirmished near El Paso, Texas, on the border on 16 June in what was known as the Battle of Ciudad Juárez. This conflict is singular for the fact that the Mexican army and the American army joined forces to fight the Villistas led by Pancho Villa.
It was the second-largest battle of the Mexican Revolution involving the United States, and is considered the last battle of the Border War.

On Friday, 20 July 1923, Villa was killed while visiting Parral.
He frequently made trips from his ranch to Parral for banking and other errands, where he generally felt secure. Villa was usually accompanied by his entourage of Dorados, or bodyguards, but for some unknown reason on that day he had gone into the town without most of them, taking with him only three guards and two other employees. He went to pick up a consignment of gold from the local bank with which to pay his Canutillo ranch staff. While driving back through the city in his black 1919 Dodge touring car, Villa passed by a school, and a pumpkinseed vendor ran toward his car and shouted "Viva Villa!", a signal to a group of seven riflemen who then appeared in the middle of the road and fired more than 40 rounds into the automobile. In the fusillade, nine dumdum bullets, normally used for hunting big game, hit Villa in the head and upper chest, killing him instantly.

Pancho Villa

 

This is kind of a bucket list item for me. I have been looking for a nice one. 1 was available in a recent charity auction and I was able to snag it.

Laura Gardin Fraser - Chaplain's Medal



“The medal to be given by the Protestant churches united in war work to all their chaplains of the American Army and Navy who served in the war is the work of Mrs. Laura Gardin Fraser, of New York, one of the best known of American medalists.

The task which was given to Mrs. Fraser was to produce a design which would express the spirit of the men who served as chaplains, and which should represent both branches of the service. That the sculptor has achieved notable success and produced a medal of rare distinction and beauty is the judgment of competent artists and critics.

In the design for the chaplains' medal, Mrs. Fraser has chosen to represent an army chaplain in the act of supreme service, ministering at the risk of his own life to a wounded man. To those familiar with experiences at the front, the danger of the situation will be at once apparent. In the center of the design the gas mask is seen, ready for immediate adjustment. Indeed, the suggestion is that the chaplain has, perhaps, momentarily removed it, the better to succor the wounded man. Each detail of the chaplain's equipment has been carefully scrutinized and pronounced correct by more than one who served at the front. Strength and sympathy are expressed in the finely modeled figure of the chaplain. The figure of the wounded man represents one of those who served the big guns and were frequently stripped to the waist when in action. This choice of a subject appealed to the sculptor for its artistic possibilities. The very strength of the splendidly modeled back seems by contrast to accentuate the helplessness of the wounded gunner.

The fine record of the men who served as chaplains in the Navy, many of them constantly passing back and forth through the submarine danger zone, ministering to the crews of the naval vessels and the soldiers on the transports, is recalled by the representation of the battleship on the reverse of the medal. The design of this side, with the cross as the central feature, is dignified and strong.

If the thought occurs that not all the chaplains were privileged to serve as the chaplain represented on the obverse of the medal, the answer is that the design expresses the kind of service for which every man who entered the chaplaincy in both the Army and Navy was ready and eager.

The striking of these medals is the realization of a suggestion made soon after the armistice in the Executive Committee of the General War-Time Commission of the Churches. The Committee approved the proposal and made it one of the tasks committed to the General Committee on Army and Navy Chaplains when the War-Time Commission dissolved.

It is hoped the medals will have a permanent value for those who receive them. They are the gift of the churches which worked in closest fellowship during the war in carrying out their common tasks through the War-Time Commission. The medals are intended to convey in tangible form a message of grateful appreciation from the churches to their chaplain sons who were ready to give up life itself, if necessary, in the service of their fellows in the Army and Navy. The churches are proud indeed of the splendid record the chaplains made.

A word of gratitude should be said for the interest taken by the sculptor in her task. Mrs. Fraser brought to it an understanding sympathy without which so satisfying a result could never have been obtained. The medals are to be struck in bronze by the Gorham Company of New York.”

Diameter: 70mm

The text above is from a description written by "coinsbygary" for his registry entry on ngccoin.com

 

Lucien Bazor was Chief Engraver at the Paris mint from 1930 to 1958. He was born in Paris in 1889 and initially studied under his father, Albert Bazor. Bazor later became the pupil of Patey at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. He won the Grand Prix de Rome in 1923 for his engraving.

Bazor is best known for his design of the 5 franc piece 1933. This smallish copper-nickel coin was rejected by the French public as too far away from the previous, large silver pieces. It was quickly replaced by the much larger and twice as heavy 5 francs Lavrillier. His 100 franc pieces 1929–1936 did not circulate, but were used as a convenient way to hoard gold.



Diameter: 65mm
Weight: 149.1g

Epona - Goddess of Horses in Celtic Mythology

Epona, meaning "Divine Mare", was the goddess of horses, including those who worked with them, as well as fertility during the Iron age. Her worship originated with nomadic Celts in Gaul and extended throughout Continental Europe and the Roman Empire. Epona was the only Celtic deity venerated in Rome itself.

The myth states Epona was the beautiful child of a horse and human male. The importance of horses in Celtic culture may have contributed to her cult spreading from Gaul to Germany and eventually to Rome. For example, Celtic nobles were usually buried with their horses and saddles indicating horses were important in the afterlife. The extensive worship of Epona may also be the reason the Celts did not eat horse meat.

The connection between Epona and horses was also present in the rites of Celtic kings as the goddess was thought to bestow on the king his authority to rule during a ritual. Epona's importance was later signified with a shrine in nearly every stable in the Roman Empire because she protected not only the horses but also those who worked with them.Epona's cult spread from Gaul to Germany and the Roman Empire between 1AD and 3AD. The goddess was worshipped not only by ordinary people but by Roman soldiers, especially the cavalry. It is possible the spread of the cult was principally due to the recruitment of the Roman cavalry, such as the Imperial Horse Guard, from Gaul and Germany. The Romans are credited with introducing her worship into not only areas of the Roman Empire, such as Britain, but also Rome itself.

Epona was the only Celtic goddess to be venerated in Rome and was officially included in the gods of the emperor as "Epona Augusta" and "Epona Regina". The 18th of December was dedicated to Epona and was celebrated in the Roman calendar as a feast day.

Many depictions of Epona have been found all over Europe and the British Isles, particularly in Gaul and the Rhineland. For example, statues have been found on the remains of stables and barns. Epona is usually represented as woman riding side-saddled on a white horse, such as those found in the Rhineland, which was the symbol of purity. The goddess was occasionally accompanied by a dog, a foal or holding ears of corn, such as those found in England, the symbol of fertility. Other representations show her surrounded by horses or feeding a horse. The "Uffinton White Horse" on White Horse hill in England is supposed to be an Iron Age representation of Epona.

Epona is also depicted holding a key or set of keys, denoting a link to the afterlife. The goddess was carrying souls of those who died on her horse to and from the Other-world.

The various incarnations of Epona included the goddesses associated with horses such as Rhiannon in Wales, Macha in Ireland, the cult of Rigatonia in Britain and the Celtic goddess Edain.

The early Christians absorbed Epona and other Celtic deities into the religion. Remnants of the goddess may be found today with the pantomime horse and the eleventh century legend of Lady Godiva.

 

I’ve see that before and even like it more now

 

I would buy that

 

NickelGuy,

I have been searching for a very elusive Joan of Arc medal. I saw your expertise on these in the exonumia thread and thought I would reach out to you to see if you have ever seen one of these, or could point me in the right direction?

Medal in question below. Let me know if you've seen one before.

Z

​

 

No. I have not seen that one before. It is awesome. Thanks.
I'll be on the lookout for one now.
I appreciate you reading my posts
Mike

 

Find two . . . . .

I'll take the one in silver . . .

Z

 

Zoid, The Joan of Arc medal you post a couple posts up looks like it is by Louis Oscar Roty 1846–1911, French medalist and engraver.
I'll find it eventually. I bet it would be expensive.
Finding it is one thing. Getting it would be another.

 

I also admire your expertise and knowledge of the better grade of exonumia. May I ask, what do you think of this one? 37.75 grams and 40 mm diameter, very high relief.

 

Found these images and messed with them a bit
Sold, but I can't read Asian text or characters
45.0 mm
Silver 48.5 g

It would be neat to find one.



coin nut, I don't think you were talking to me. If so, I'm flattered but I think "expertise" is stretching things considerably.
RE:
Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne

I found your earlier post coin_nut, Mar 10, 2020 with this medal with the wiki link.
Sure looks original to me to be from 1819, lots of medals get little wear stored away and rarely handled. Of course, I could be wrong but no reason for a restrike.

Reverse roughly translates to
Born in 1611
Died 1675
Metal (May also have the meaning medal here) Gallery of the Great French Men

Probably one in a series of medals of "Great French Men" medals.