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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,481 |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
New here, helping to clear out the remains of a coin collection that was giving to us. 1879, 1885 and 1923 Morgan heads. the back of the 1885 is rather odd, I never seen one like it just wondering if any one has a clue what it is and why? can't seem to find a value other than what it is worth if it is smelted. 1885 front  1885 Back  also have Liberty head dress "small" penny's better know as Indian Head penny's |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2130 Posts |
1885 may have been the birth year and the rev. modified to commemorate someone's passing.  Very interesting. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
 Your 1885 Morgan dollar is a variation of a love token. I guess in this case, it would be a death token. A love token is a small coin(usually a dime) that has one side removed and then engraved with a name or short message as a remembrance. This was a common practice dating to the latter half of the 19th century and early 20th century. Many love tokens have holes, they were usually suspended on a necklace or string. The ornate script initials are a typical motif and the more ornate the design, the better. The creation of a love token ruins the numismatic value but in many cases, the love token itself is worth more than the host coin. An engraved Morgan is most unusual since that was quite a bit of money to take out of circulation at the time. Your token is definitely worth more than the host coin(unless the creator used an 1885S or CC  ), I am not sure of an exact value as there is no "book value" for this type of thing but I would estimate $50 or so. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I found a love token for each member of my family. It took awhile to find the ones I wanted because I wanted at least 2 letters and if possible 3 that matched the members in my family. It was one of the things my wife found fascinating so she collected them after I would do the searching to find them and buy them for her  |
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New Member
 United States
2 Posts |
here is "the group" of them, the better half was rather excited about the one...guess I am cooking diner tonight.   thanks for the help so far...penny leather post cards anyone? |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2448 Posts |
I had completely forgotten about these. Would the love token also be found baked in a cake commerating a birthday or other family occasion? This deemed very popular in and around Kansas City with my wife's family. They would just scratch a date or a short note on the coin.
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
missed this, after doing some research the 1923 Silver dollar is a "Liberty Peace" Silver dollar and above the tail feathers of the eagle on the back is an "S".
On the death coin, just out of "what-if", I am getting the feeling tracking down who might be an relative to the person who died would be an interesting thing to do, any ideas?
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Valued Member
United States
175 Posts |
I think the key to finding the family lies in the design on the back. I have done alot of geneology research on the England side pre 1650 & I'm sure if you find the design you will find the family.
Edited by rlcbj59
01/10/2011 6:37 pm
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Valued Member
United States
175 Posts |
Hope I helped.
Edited by rlcbj59
01/10/2011 6:41 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
Thanks for the info guys! very neat coin there, and the geneology thing just might be the clue to something...
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Valued Member
United States
175 Posts |
Does anyone know the value of a 1878 B1561 7tf r78 is in vf condition?
Edited by rlcbj59
01/10/2011 9:17 pm
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,481 |
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Posted 01/10/2011 1:15 pm
