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Unidentified Coins (Id: US Cent Masonic Counterstamp; 18th Century Chinese Cast Cash; Love Token)

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New Member

United States
10 Posts
 Posted 11/16/2008  5:35 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Brian to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
Hello, I'm a new user here and have recently inherited a coin collection. I have a few oddities that I'm hoping someone can help me with.

Image: Unidentified-Coins-Id:-US-Cent-Masonic-Counterstamp;-18th-Century-Chinese-Cast-Cash;-Love-Token UFOcoins.jpg
95.55 KB

Image: Unidentified-Coins-Id:-US-Cent-Masonic-Counterstamp;-18th-Century-Chinese-Cast-Cash;-Love-Token UFOcoins1.jpg
92.97 KB

The first coin is obviously an american cent but appears to be plated with another metal. Its obviously not a 1943 steel penny. Its non-magnetic and is dated 1940. It also has some form of emblem hammered into it.

The second coin is possibly asian.

The third coin is dated 1852 but has no other markings other than what could possibly be initials engraved on the reverse. Could one side of the coin be machined off and then engraved?

As a more general question, where can a novice go to sell coins and be assured of receiving a fair price? Is ebay a decent venue?

Thanks, Brian
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Sap's Avatar
Australia
16808 Posts
 Posted 11/16/2008  6:23 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Sap to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
#1 is an ordinary cent that's been plated, and had a Masonic symbol stamped on it. Objects known as "Masonic pennies" are used in certain Lodge rituals; some Lodges (presumably the richer ones) purchase specially made tokens for this purpose, other lodges presumably use a counterstamped, plated cent.

#2 is indeed Asian; more specifically, it's from China, during the reign of the Qian Long Emperor (1735-1796 AD). Due to the long reign and relative prosperity of the Chinese Empire during this time, this type of coin is extremely common.

#3 is what is known as a "love token" - an ordinary coin that's had one side filed flat, and initials carved into it - intended as a memento or keepsake from someone to a loved one, often because they've been separated by distance. To some collectors they're interesting historical artifacts, to others they're just damaged coins.
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
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Sir Ferrari's Avatar
United States
671 Posts
 Posted 11/16/2008  10:41 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Sir Ferrari to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Also, #3 once was a 1852 Seated Liberty half dime before it was altered.
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