An Intriguing Repurposed Large Cent

This is one of my most recent acquisitions. It's an 1847 large cent that was partially planed down so that it would serve as a Union soldier's ID medal; later, during WWI, deemed a "dog tag."




William Russell Willson (spelled "Wilson" in some Civil War records), was about 18 years old when he was mustered into military service, just months prior to the close of the Civil War. He is recorded as "Wilson" (the more common spelling) in Company "K" of the Michigan 30th Infantry. He enlisted in Flint, Michigan ....http://www.migenweb.org/michiganint.../30compk.htm

The 30th Regiment, Michigan Infantry was organized at Detroit, Michigan, for 12 months' service in the State. It was mustered in January 9, 1865. It was engaged In frontier duty In Michigan along the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers until June, 1865. The regiment was mustered out June 30, 1865. The regiment suffered 18 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 18 fatalities. http://www.researchonline.net/micw/unit53.htm
The regiment served as garrison of the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers on the border with Canada and saw no service in the field.

I found reference which states that young Willson was the company bugler. Another reference lists his birth year as 1846. This coin suggests April 15, 1847 as his birthdate. Over the years, I've found that ancestry records are often inaccurate.

I've encountered many fake Civil War items in my travels. Just last week, I examined one such fake CW ID at a local antique mall, bait-priced at $85. These fakes are typically cast pieces, displaying the legend in italics. Although a soldier's name can be traced to a particular regiment, it's more than likely to be that of a Confederate officer. To my knowledge, not one original Confederate ID medal has ever been found. Soldiers on both sides would typically carry an ID note within clothing or pin it thereon.

As regards this Willson ID, the coin's wear pattern, the style and font of the counterstamp, are consistent with the period; this, as seen on traditional CW ID medals. Unholed, Willson apparently carried it as a pocket piece. There are a few corrosion spots on the planed, well-worn reverse, telling of age. The words ONE CENT were expunged to give the reverse a more medallic appearance by accentuating UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. This is only the second such converted coin that I've seen in over thirty years of collecting counterstamps.