Small token with the liberty head. What is this?

Ciccio · January 4, 2010 1:04AM

I spent one month at my dad's house in Italy and got the chance to see his collection.
I found this small coin. When I saw the liberty head I thought it was an US coin but there is no face value on it.

Any clue? Thanks!

edited to switch from coin to token.

ambro51 · January 4, 2010 1:13AM

Just a guess but Id say a low quality "piece" made for use in jewelry.

Amigo · January 4, 2010 1:30AM

I'm guessing French origin ..... just a guess though

coppercoins · January 4, 2010 1:54AM

Edited for more definitive answer...

The reverse bears a very crude representation of the Turkish mint in Constantinople (Qustantiniyah).

Below are my crude artist's renderings of a comparison for your viewing pleasure:

I don't have any kind of guide that would show coinage from Turkey in the time period of the United States usage of that bust type (1816-1830 roughly), but that's where I would start if I were you.

Ciccio · January 4, 2010 5:31AM

Wow! Thank you so much. I read your first reply, not the edited one.
I will start from there.

When I first saw it I thought it was a chain cent (I didn't remember how a chain cent looked like). The liberty head confused me.

I found a pic of a turkish piastres and definitely there is the same writing. I don't see the date in my token though.

I will post the thread in the World Coin forum as well to see if anyone ever saw it.

RWB · January 4, 2010 5:38AM

Hmmm..1327 (1909) on the coin and _490 on the token? Maybe Victor Brenner was working overtime?

OK--rev photo is upside down -- 094 ??

Ciccio · January 4, 2010 5:58AM

<< <i>Hmmm..1327 (1909) on the coin and _490 on the token? Maybe Victor Brenner was working overtime? >>

You have a good spirit of observation. It took me quite a while to understand your reply!

lathmach · January 4, 2010 7:32AM

Spiel Marke.

Ray

coppercoins · January 4, 2010 8:17AM

RWB - The token is undated. What you are seeing (I think) is not a date.

The Arabic 9 is turned the same direction as ours. What you are seeing is a comma shaped script for a double-dot.

The 'E' looking thing at the top of the script is a single 'hain' letter...not the number 4.

I have no clue where I know this information from - perhaps I was subconsciously paying attention when I did TDY in the military over in Turkey and Saudi.

sinin1 · January 4, 2010 8:32AM

I suspect it was not made as a coin or token

but as a piece of jewelry (that it has been removed from- necklace or bracelet)

and the writing has some meaning in that language

RWB · January 4, 2010 9:29AM

OK. Wasn't sure the "3" caught my attention on the token...

Small token with the liberty head. What is this?

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