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What does this engraved half dollar say ?

DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited March 18, 2019 7:29AM in U.S. Coin Forum

It was hard to wait for this auction to close. But what do you think this says?

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Comments

  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This might help...

  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    "A cupboard a barrel of whiskey" ?

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 19, 2019 1:57AM

    @DNADave said:
    It was hard to wait for this auction to close. But what do you think this says?

    Coming back to this... intriguing.

    ...A lonesome dove... pigeon, bird...

    ...Of whiskey...

    ...barrel...

    ...kettle, pot, pitcher, mug..

    ...vines...

    It’s Monday... to early in the week for this.

    ————— Doodles

    Kettle a bird in a barrel of whis key...
    Catch a bird in a barrel of whiskey

    Pitch a bird in a barrel full of whiskey

  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @RogerB said:
    "A cupboard a barrel of whiskey" ?

    That’s what it looks like to me as well. But that doesn’t make a lot o sense. I thought maybe it was something more clever

  • TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe we're thinking too hard.

    AA = Alcoholics Anonymous?
    Whis-key / Barrel = The problem?
    Bird or Dove = Freedom?

    I'd like to read it as a rebus as well...but haven't gotten any further than the rest of you....

    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2019 8:59AM

    Is the half dollar dated? Maybe the bird is meant to be a specific type? What are other names for the cup or tankard?

    I'll ask Romulus if the whiskey belongs to his brother "Rebus."

  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2019 10:06AM

    @RogerB said:
    Is the half dollar dated? Maybe the bird is meant to be a specific type? What are other names for the cup or tankard?

    I'll ask Romulus if the whiskey belongs to his brother "Rebus."

    It was an “O” mint seated half. Engraved on the obverse.
    I thought it was a dove. Maybe

    And maybe a pint, cup, tin, pitcher?

  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,224 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I was looking for old brands to see if it could be advertising of some kind, no luck

    picture a cuckoo barrel of whiskey

  • TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Is it a dove?

    "Drink-A-dove-A-Barrel-Of Whis-key"

    Drink above a barrel of whiskey?? Does that make any sense? (No...It doesn't....) ;)

    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • themasterthemaster Posts: 676 ✭✭✭

    Picture a pig in a barrel of whiskey.

    Have a Great Day!
    Louis

    "If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some." Benjamin Franklin
  • IntueorIntueor Posts: 310 ✭✭✭✭

    "Picture above a barrel of whiskey."
    Possible referring to the obverse.
    What is on the obverse? If it is "Walking Liberty" or Franklin maybe it is an anti-temperance token used in a "Speakeasy".
    It was well known that Franklin enjoyed his "cups".
    Prohibition prevented the sale of alcohol, not consumption.

    unus multorum
  • MrLeeMrLee Posts: 1,848 ✭✭✭

    I found this.

  • Aspie_RoccoAspie_Rocco Posts: 3,259 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2019 7:00PM

    Is the bird in question a Swallow? ;)

    A swallow of whiskey?
    A cup before a swallow of whiskey?

    http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753

    https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/

  • AotearoaAotearoa Posts: 1,490 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Picture a dove above a barrel of whiskey?

    Smitten with DBLCs.

  • TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Aspie_Rocco said:
    Is the bird in question a Swallow? ;)

    A swallow of whiskey?
    A cup before a swallow of whiskey?

    I think you're onto something:

    If that pesky second "A" wasn't there: "Drink A Swallow (A) Of Whis-key"

    Well....swallow makes more sense than dove, anyway. ;)

    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A pot dove a barrel of whiskey
    A part of a barrel of whiskey

  • Aspie_RoccoAspie_Rocco Posts: 3,259 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2019 8:25PM

    @TommyType said:

    @Aspie_Rocco said:
    Is the bird in question a Swallow? ;)

    A swallow of whiskey?
    A cup before a swallow of whiskey?

    I think you're onto something:

    If that pesky second "A" wasn't there: "Drink A Swallow (A) Of Whis-key"

    Well....swallow makes more sense than dove, anyway. ;)

    I think the first A is for the play on
    “before a...”
    milk before A swallow A barrel (cask) of whiskey?

    Can a swallow a barrel (cask) of whiskey?

    http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753

    https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/

  • HydrantHydrant Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2019 8:30PM

    Diagnosis; The person who engraved the coin suffered from a type of dyslexia known as dysgraphia. He was most likely an alcoholic. The engraving says.... "A CUP OF WHISKEY." No more no less........AS IN......HERE LIES LES MOORE, SHOT BY A 44. NO LES NO MORE.

    People had a sense of humor back in those days. And the eccentric was common. Don't try to make more out of it than there is. A CUP OF WHISKEY. What could be more simple? Bottoms Up!

  • jedmjedm Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A -tankard- dove -a- barrel- of whiskey. A tankard of a barrel of whiskey.....??

  • GoldminersGoldminers Posts: 4,086 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2019 8:34PM

    I think Ricko 's version seems close. I was wondering if it could be related to the Whiskey rebellion which was a really unpopular tax on whiskey to help pay for the Revolutionary war and may have had some freedom (freebird?) code engraving later during seated liberty half dollar era? Like freedom to drink a keg a whiskey?

    My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Have one on the house.

    🥃🍺🍸🍷☕️🥛🍼

  • PipestonePetePipestonePete Posts: 1,940 ✭✭✭✭✭

    "Sip (leads to) A Swallow (leads to) A Barrel Of Whiskey" ?

  • TennesseeDaveTennesseeDave Posts: 4,782 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A cup of peace in a barrel of whiskey

    Trade $'s
  • Namvet69Namvet69 Posts: 9,010 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Is the other side blank? Me thinks it's an Alcoholics Anonymous token of freedom from drink, that being whis key. Peace Roy

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW

  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭✭✭

  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 3,791 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have to believe that the person who engraved this probably never thought, "150 years from now people will try to figure out what this means".....

    My Ebay Coin Store
  • TreashuntTreashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I don't know what it means, but I like it

    Frank

    BHNC #203

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow... all the great minds on this forum, and still no 'slam dunk' conclusion to this love token mystery.....Cheers, RickO

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 27, 2019 4:55AM

    Swallow a decantar from a barrel of whiskey.

    Decantor a swallow of whiskey from a barrel. The path kind of forms the letter ‘Z’.

  • habaracahabaraca Posts: 2,015 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Kind of related not my auction just an example

    "Just a Thimble full a day"

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Sterling-Silver-Just-a-Thimble-Full-Jigger-Shot-Glass-by-Towle-82/163576995108?hash=item2615f2dd24:g:FQcAAOSwwXRcfEmb

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Drink a swallow, a barrel of whiskey?

  • kbbpllkbbpll Posts: 542 ✭✭✭✭

    I associate a tankard with beer, and the dove clutching an olive branch as "peace", so I arrive at:
    "Beer apiece, a barrel of whiskey"
    or maybe straight up "Tankard apiece, a barrel of whiskey". Some kind of old drinking expression or toast? Google yields nothing.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe we're getting closer. If it is old enough then they might have said ale instead of beer....

    Ale (I'll?) a swallow a barrel of whiskey.

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If this was made by the person drinking the whiskey we probably will never get it.

    Need to be in that “frame” of mind.

  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Well, have a "snort" and see if it kicks !

    ;)

  • 1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 13,786 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Old English Synonyms: for bird:

    bird ; poultry ; brill ; bit of skirt ; chick ; baby ; doll ; dame ; shuttle ; birdie ; shuttlecock ; raspberry ; boo ; snort ; hoot ; hiss ; razzing ; Bronx cheer ; razz ; fowl ; skirt ; wench
    bird ; birdwatch

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,224 ✭✭✭✭✭

    maybe it is a map where the engraver buried his gold

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Beer, a bird (girl), a barrel of whiskey.

  • gonzergonzer Posts: 3,029 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not many folks from San Juan Capistrano it seems. Definitely NOT a swallow.

  • carabonnaircarabonnair Posts: 1,423 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The word "tun" for barrel is sometimes used in rebuses.

    Gawain

    Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Pitch a pigeon upon a “tun” of whiskey

  • Musky1011Musky1011 Posts: 3,899 ✭✭✭✭

    A pitcher of whiskey

    Pilgrim Clock and Gift Shop.. Expert clock repair since 1844

    Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA

    http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
  • TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @JBK said:
    Beer, a bird (girl), a barrel of whiskey.

    Best guess I've seen so far! (At least it makes some sense. ;) )

    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • DBSTrader2DBSTrader2 Posts: 3,485 ✭✭✭✭

    I think the "pitcher" is also known as a "Ewer".

    If so, I would read it to say something like "Ewer (you are) A (Dove over a barrell?) of Whiskey"?

    I'm stumped.

  • LJenkins11LJenkins11 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This is a great thread.

    Pour a bird a barrel of whiskey?

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,902 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Whatever is says it has been driving me crazy ever since you posted it. :D

  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,007 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @1630Boston said:
    Old English Synonyms: for bird:

    bird ; poultry ; brill ; bit of skirt ; chick ; baby ; doll ; dame ; shuttle ; birdie ; shuttlecock ; raspberry ; boo ; snort ; hoot ; hiss ; razzing ; Bronx cheer ; razz ; fowl ; skirt ; wench
    bird ; birdwatch

    Interesting. So is this synonym contemporary with "snort" also meaning a drink of an adult beverage?

    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution

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