Need help identifying host coin

[CoinPictures-migration]

Posted about this ATS, but thus far nothing definitive. It's an odd piece, a Columbian Exposition elongated piece, then inscribed... although oddly the date inscribed predates when the elongated piece would have been made. Perhaps the product of a Civil War re-enactor? Doesn't make sense though, as I would assume that both the Columbian Exposition and the date 1888 would be out-of-era for a re-enactor. Perhaps the existing elongated coin was later used out of convenience to create a dogtag or luggage tag? But then why the 1888 date? Birth date perhaps?

 

Weird.

 

I initially thought that the host was a shield nickel, but as was pointed out to me, shield nickels don't have stars on the field. Could the 13 stars mean it's a confederate piece of some sort?

 

Certainly a bizarro piece.

 

Any assistance is appreciated.

 

 

[dooly]

Posted about this ATS, but thus far nothing definitive. It's an odd piece, a Columbian Exposition elongated piece, then inscribed... although oddly the date inscribed predates when the elongated piece would have been made. Perhaps the product of a Civil War re-enactor? Doesn't make sense though, as I would assume that both the Columbian Exposition and the date 1888 would be out-of-era for a re-enactor. Perhaps the existing elongated coin was later used out of convenience to create a dogtag or luggage tag? But then why the 1888 date? Birth date perhaps?

 

Weird.

 

I initially thought that the host was a shield nickel, but as was pointed out to me, shield nickels don't have stars on the field. Could the 13 stars mean it's a confederate piece of some sort?

 

Certainly a bizarro piece.

 

Any assistance is appreciated.

 

 

 

My kind of item (thumbs u

 

dont know if i should help if you did not post this over hear first.??

 

You are right the host coin is not a shield nickel..

the closest i could find to it are

 

Civil war tokens

Reverse dies 1247,1248,1249,1352,1424& 1425 the 1352 is the only one with leaves around the shield..

 

Trade tokens

Burns Folz & sons Ohio (good for one 2 horse load) 16 stars and no leaves

Hotel Savoy Cincinnati (1897-1909) 21 stars no leaves

and

Squirrel hunters Reunion Springfield Ohio 1880 21 stars and no leaves

 

So no positive ID but i would gess the host was a token

 

all the best in the hunt dooly (thumbs u

[ibyandsellsmith]

I don't know, sorry. figured I'd at least reply. As not to make you mad.

[WoodenJefferson]

Looks like the hole was drilled after the pressing as the hole passes through the lettering and through the shield on the backside. An original vendor/mfg. would probably have avoided that. (The C & E were probably joined together like the N & N)

 

Although it's dated 1893, the pre-date of 1888 is more than likely the death date of C.B. Smalley, R.I.P. as a new born would have included the month, day and year as part of the celebration. (speculation vs. fact)

 

As to a host coin? ~shrug~ Remember, a nickel in 1892/93 was a considerable sum of money to be pressed into a token tinkette for re-sale to the public.

 

Sheldon is just south of Chicago, host of the 1893 Exposition on the Illinois/Indiana boarder, within buggy distance to the fair.

[Conder101]

I don't think the shield design was part of the host coin. It looks to me like it was engraved on the piece AFTER it was elongated. The only thing I can see in this piece that was part of the host coin in the area below the 1888 date. What is the weight and apparent composition of the piece?