Posted 11/15/2012 02:29 am
Well, it's a Masonic medal. Apparently struck to commemorate the opening of a temple depicted on the coin. The same building can be seen on this old postcard, though I believe it is now owned by the Mattatuck Museum.
For the symbolism on the other side you'd have to join the Masons to get the "official" explanation of, but the seven symbols around the outside are are the badges of Masonic orders and degrees, presumably those which helped pay for and intended to use the new Temple. Clockwise from the top of your pic (which is actually upside-down), I believe you've got the Blue Lodge ("normal" Masons), the Mark Masters, the Cryptic Council, the Knights Templar, the Perfect Masters, the Princes of Jerusalem, and the Knights Rose Croix.
For the symbolism on the other side you'd have to join the Masons to get the "official" explanation of, but the seven symbols around the outside are are the badges of Masonic orders and degrees, presumably those which helped pay for and intended to use the new Temple. Clockwise from the top of your pic (which is actually upside-down), I believe you've got the Blue Lodge ("normal" Masons), the Mark Masters, the Cryptic Council, the Knights Templar, the Perfect Masters, the Princes of Jerusalem, and the Knights Rose Croix.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
