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 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,305 |
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
I want to share pics of Fentigen Dollar, looted during the Boxer Rebellion. One side of the coin has been transformed into a love token style commemorative. One side of coin sports numerous chop marks. The reverse engraving reads as follows line by line..Taken from the mint..At..Tien Sien..By..J C Geckert..USMC..July14 1900..The Day After The Battle. Although the coin shows great wear, I find it to be historically important, answering The Who, what, where and when questions pertaining to this coin.   |
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Pillar of the Community
Singapore
631 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5239 Posts |
That is extremely interesting.
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Valued Member
United States
277 Posts |
That's a cool piece! But what in the world happened to that reverse? Was it in a fire or something?
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Moderator
 Australia
16817 Posts |
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But what in the world happened to that reverse? Was it in a fire or something? There are a couple of chopmarks - so if it was "taken from the mint", it wasn't taken from the stash of freshly-minted coins, because the chopmarks prove it saw some circulation as a coin before being turned into a memento. I'm seeing a "triangular" pattern of damage; large dints at 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock and 6 o'clock, and a similar large dint in the centre. I'd assume this was damage from being mounted into some kind of jewellery-piece or holder, presumably by the maker of the engraving. The damage above the central dimple looks like a jewellery-mount removal point; eithe the same mounting, or a second,separate mounting. It's also possible the coin was looted from the stockpile of scrap silver in the Mint, which means the coin was already badly damaged before it was souvenired. 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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New Member
 United States
13 Posts |
A thanks toSap for taking the time to examine the coin. Your observations have caused me to take another look at the coin. I think you are spot on with your analysis. As an owner of a coin and jewelry store for 37 yrs, I have seen the clasp side of many a brooch as well as many bezeled coins and objects but didn't see what you saw until this last look. Good call. The coin was heavily worn in its two years life. I did realize it was from Fentigen and taken in the province of Tien Sien . A looted spoil of war. Also...I'm liking this forum!!
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Valued Member
United States
277 Posts |
@Admiral how did you happen to come in possession with this piece? Was it through a collection dump? Are you looking to sell it at your shop?
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
I have had this piece in my collection for many yrs, like 30 . It actually was in a box with a small grouping of love tokens . This coin, like the rest of my holdings, have been promised out to my sons. This Fentigen Dollar will be going to the Baltimore Whitman Coin Expo on Sat, with the hopes of drawing attention to it. So for now, it is not on the market. Thanks much for the inquiry!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1962 Posts |
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This Fentigen Dollar will be going to the Baltimore Whitman Coin Expo on Sat, with the hopes of drawing attention to it. So for now, it is not on the market. As I'm sure you're very well aware, there should be GREAT interest. Stack's will be BEGGING you to place this with them for their Hong Kong auction!! |
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Valued Member
United States
277 Posts |
Have you ever tried to do any research on who J C Geckert was? I'm sure there's probably some records of him somewhere in the archives. Would provide for a fascinating backstory to the piece!
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
Realeswatcher——- we're liking your positive vibes. We too, feel that the coin, although damaged , has some historical interest and will be well received at the show. I have yet to perform research on the marine, but I'm sure he's listed somewhere.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
3831 Posts |
I doubt if Stacks or major auction houses would want to handle this piece. It is really poor taste and just aggravate any Chinese - this is just another perfect example of what the Chinese call "Century of humiliation" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centu..._humiliationI highly encourage you to read more about the history of Boxer Rebellion before commenting any further. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_RebellionIt is important piece of history (whether how legit this token is another story) but there should be an understanding that there are grime history behind it. |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 2,305 |
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Posted 03/29/2022 09:49 am
