What does this engraved half dollar say ?

ifthevamzarockin

The only thing I have come up with.

( _____ ) a fowl barrel of whiskey

Edited to add @DBSTrader2 Might be on to it! Ewer = you are

You are a fowl barrel of whiskey. ????

panexpoguy

‘Pour a Pecker a Barrel of Whiskey’

Intueor

Borrowing from others, how about?

"Drink a Cask of Whiskey Apiece."

ms70

Isn't there something about pouring salt on a bird's tail and then it can't fly?

Maybe that's a salt shaker?

panexpoguy

@panexpoguy said:
‘Pour a Pecker a Barrel of Whiskey’

And since an engraved coin about booze was certainly meant to be dirty, a barrel is also known as a butt so I suggest ‘pour a pecker a butt of whiskey’ or even the actual term ‘ a buttload of whiskey’

CaptHenway

@DBSTrader2 said:
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.

That is not an ewer. More like a stein.

kevinstang

Pitch A Tern for a barrel of whiskey?

Maybe something sports or card related?

Tern=Terns are seabirds in the family Laridae that have a worldwide distribution and are normally found near the sea, rivers, or wetlands.

jedm

I wonder if it could be sort of a way of expressing the OPPOSITE of "Whiskey in a teacup"? Which translates to me as a gal who comes off as proper and dainty and then find out she's got a spirit that's a little wild and earthy when you get to know her. It's an old expression and we may just not have gotten the words right yet,

bobsr

Ale a bird a barrel of whiskey
Alberta Barrel of Whiskey
Bob Sr CEO Fieldtechs

Hemispherical

An anagram?

A A OF W. Now to figure out the pitcher/mug; bird/dove/pigeon; ??

Mababofw
Papacofw
Mabacofw
Etc...

grip

What about the key showing?

jedm

@grip said:
What about the key showing?

WHIS KEY

COCollector

I think I've got it.

See the leafy "vines"? Maybe they're the last piece of the puzzle.

"A flagon, a pretty wench (bird), and a barrel of whiskey... is da-vine."

Bigbuck1975

A cup of whiskey

Moxie15

After almost six years of reading this forum daily I think I have something intelligent to add.
The word 'pige' or 'pidge', I have found it spelled both ways, is an older term for a pigeon chick.
The word was used in the nineteenth century as a slang for ' a slightly built' woman, a small woman with a big attitude much like the character Pidge in the Voltron graphic novel, and a pretty woman. I must admit i had no clue of the Voltron reference until I was looking for confirmation of the usage.

So I think the coin says "
"Picture a Pidge on a keg of whiskey " something akin to the Jim Beam add posted earlier.

I believe nothing. I know little. I think a lot.

Intueor

The coin is Half Dollar from the New Orleans Mint. According to the “Red Book”, in 1861, 300,000 were struck from the US Mint in New Orleans and 1,240,000 were struck after Louisiana seceded from the Union and 962,633 after Louisiana join the Confederacy. That is 1,262,633 struck before Louisiana became a Confederate State and 1,240,000 after it joined the Confederacy. That is about an even split. There is no way to distinguish the coins. It would have been the perfect coin to encourage Peace. A half dollar was a tidy sum during the Civil War. It was a magnanimous sacrifice to carve that encrypted legend into a coin to create a peace token. Maybe a Union soldier sitting by a campfire waiting to face Rebel cannon grapeshot at dawn. On the other hand, it may have been a wounded Confederate soldier lying on a blanket in a field hospital waiting to die. The person who carved the coin was weary of the death and destruction and just longed for the Generals to work it out as civilized men have always done for centuries.

"Draft a peace over a keg of whiskey."

Baley

@COCollector said:
I think I've got it.

See the leafy "vines"? Maybe they're the last piece of the puzzle.

"A flagon, a pretty wench (bird), and a barrel of whiskey... is da-vine."

I like this interpretation best so far.

cladking

@kevinstang said:
Pitch A Tern for a barrel of whiskey?

Maybe something sports or card related?

Tern=Terns are seabirds in the family Laridae that have a worldwide distribution and are normally found near the sea, rivers, or wetlands.

I think you're on the right track.

You need to know the species.

jedm

@Moxie15 said:
After almost six years of reading this forum daily I think I have something intelligent to add.
The word 'pige' or 'pidge', I have found it spelled both ways, is an older term for a pigeon chick.
The word was used in the nineteenth century as a slang for ' a slightly built' woman, a small woman with a big attitude much like the character Pidge in the Voltron graphic novel, and a pretty woman. I must admit i had no clue of the Voltron reference until I was looking for confirmation of the usage.

So I think the coin says "
"Picture a Pidge on a keg of whiskey " something akin to the Jim Beam add posted earlier.

I believe nothing. I know little. I think a lot.

As I mentioned earlier another expression back then was "Whiskey in a teacup"
so I believe it to be the OPPOSITE sentiment being expressed here as @Moxie15 is getting onto, except to be what I think may be:
{Ewer A Pidgeon A barrel OF whiskey} or
YOU'RE A PIDGE IN A BARREL OF WHISKEY.

mannie gray

@cladking said:

@kevinstang said:
Pitch A Tern for a barrel of whiskey?

Maybe something sports or card related?

Tern=Terns are seabirds in the family Laridae that have a worldwide distribution and are normally found near the sea, rivers, or wetlands.

I think you're on the right track.

You need to know the species.

Except the bird doesn't resembles tern at all.
It's a pigeon or dove.

Hemispherical

Do not know why I’m TTTing this... more self-induced punishment.

But not knowing is driving me crazy.

Intueor

After giving the piece some thought, here is one more opinion. Based purely on the symbolism, this is an attempt to enter the mind of 160-year-old artisan. I am using the pronoun “he” but I mean no gender bias, it just reads easier.

I do not think this inscription is addled “off-hand” whittling. I think the person who engraved this piece was very clever and he expressed ideas with reference to the Civil War and his time in history. The carver was not the stereotypical backwoods bumpkin. He was educated, literate, and was an accomplished artist. You try engraving a dove holding an olive branch into a 30mm metal disk in just one take. Every aspect of this token speaks to the carver’s depth of thought and character. Every single stroke of that engraving tool had an allegorical meaning. I also think his times made it necessary to mask his true feelings for fear of treason but he was driven by the need to express the unspoken hope that this carnage must be stopped.

First the coin:

The piece is from a Liberty Seated Half dollar minted in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1861, roughly 2,500,000 pieces were minted in New Orleans. Half those numbers were minted while the New Orleans Mint was under the jurisdiction of the Union while the other half were minted under the auspices of the Confederate States. That was not a coincidence but by design. In addition to their equal numbers, the mintings are indistinguishable and insured acceptance of this denomination in commerce. By caving only on the obverse, the significance of the reverse “O” became intrinsic to the message. The date is irrelevant but the time of War was not. I think the engraver knew this and specifically chose this “O” mint coin as part of his message.

The message: “Draft a Lasting Peace Over a Keg of Whiskey”. The reasoning….

The first image is a tankard, mug, pitcher, ewer, cup etc. or a receptacle for imbibing. Soldiers frequented saloons, taverns, roadhouses, and brothels. Glass was an expensive commodity that did not ship well by horse-drawn wagons over dirt roads. In addition, there were plenty of weapons in those establishments and the innkeeper did not need sharp glass posing an additional threat when things got rowdy. Drink was traditionally served in pewter cups or tankards. There was no breakage and no sharp edges. Contrary to the anachronisms in modern films depicting bar scenes of the time, in this class of establishment, dispensable alcohol was rarely stored in glass quart bottles. A glass bottle was reserved for fine wines but bulk wine came from the vineyards in casks. Whiskey was usually transported and served either in a Firkin (2.5G) or a Quarter Cask (13G) keg or in the case of “moonshine” and “jacks”, standard (1-10 quart) stoneware jugs. Heat warps wood so a kiln glazed clay jug was necessary to preserve the integrity of the warm distilled mash. A waxed cork stoppered the jug. As the air trapped inside cooled, it created a vacuum, which prevented evaporation. As each waxed cork was unique to the distiller, the seal became known as a maker’s mark and is still used today on Bourbons. An American barrel of whiskey (53 gallons) weighs over 500 pounds. Kegs were rolled not carried. As for beer, once opened, ale did not keep well without refrigerant. When the keg was tapped, the party did not end until the barrel was empty. Once a barrel was “broached”, news traveled fast in small villages and was met with “Cheers!”. By tradition, the empty keg was smashed to end the party. The synonym for a party, “bash” originates from this practice. No matter the bulk container, the barkeep would serve his patrons by pulling a “draft” from a keg into a drinking receptacle. To this day, we still use the term “Draft Beer”. The three stokes to the right of the tankard represent a pouring splash or “action”. Hence, the first word, DRAFT.

The second word “A” is literal.

The third symbol is the vine. In an allegory, the vine is lasting or persistence. It is enduring even in the winter (adversity) and blooms in the summer (bounty). “LASTING” seems appropriate as the third word.

In this time, the Bible was probably the only book most common people owned. If they learned to read, the Bible was most likely their primer or bedtime storybook. Everyone knew during the “Great Flood” Noah rejoiced that his family had survived the wrath of God when a dove, carrying an olive branch, landed on the Ark. There is a reason that the olive branch is so significant. The olive tree grows very slowly, especially in warm dry climates. It takes fifty years to fruit. Therefore, there must be sufficient time for the land to be undisturbed before olive trees fruit. If a settlement was under siege, the first things the pillaging hordes would do are raze the crops, kill the livestock, and burn everything to the ground. (OK, maybe not the first thing.) That obliteration included the olive trees. No olives mean no peace! That is why on the Heraldic Eagle, olive branches are always depicted in the talons opposite the arrows. In Peace or War, honor must be preserved. Our artist perceptively cut olive branches on both sides of the dove. The dove with an olive branch, in grasp, is an allegory for the fourth word, PEACE.

Now comes the clever part. He placed the dove above a clearly depicted barrel, keg, or cask. The inference is “OVER”. He did not need to use the word “OVER” because the placement of the dove was the significance. Underneath the keg, he depicted the ground. These simple lines provided the frame of reference for orientation. That is brilliant and provides an insight into his intellect. Thus, the implied next word is “OVER” with “A” (literal again) and the image “BARREL” contiguous to the message. I wonder if the use of the American idiom “over a barrel” may have been an intended obscure reference but that might be reading too much into his choice of words.

The word, “OF” is again literal but the complexity of “whiskey” is inspired. The combination of “Whis” and the key image is easy to decipher. Nevertheless, why did he use the picture of a key? If he chose, he had enough room to complete the word. The key symbol is the stroke of genius. In American Heraldry, the key is a symbol of knowledge, guardianship, and dominion. I think the key is a double entendre. Not only does it complete the legend but it also describes his simple logic. The engraver’s encrypted message is imploring the “key” players to negotiate an end to this horrible war. If the principals (dominions) would sit down and talk, there could be peace. Corresponding with the thinking of his time, alcohol had always been a facilitator to establishing a rapport between adversaries. For eons, minor disputes and historic treaties have been settled by engaging in this universal custom.

The sentimentality of the carving suggests a bivouacked Union soldier sitting by a campfire waiting to face Rebel cannon grapeshot at dawn. Perhaps a field dressed wounded Confederate irregular felled by Yankee shot lying in a bramble patch. However, the perspective of the legend speaks of an individual who was both an anterior and posterior participant of the battleground. The level of sophistication suggests a commissioned officer or possibly a field surgeon. The carving is intricate and in perspective. The opposing forces in the Civil War compromised relatives, friends, neighbors, and associates but they were all Americans. These combatants actively communicated off the battlefield. I think our engraver was exasperated and in the position to be privy to the agony of soldiers and civilians on both sides of the endless futile killing.

Anyway, this is just the musing of someone who enjoys a puzzle. Rather than giving insight into the thinking of an eighteenth-century person, I may have only accomplished giving you an insight into mine. I think this is a very unique and priceless piece of historic Civil War Americana. This piece is a satirical expression of the collective psyche of all Americans disillusioned by a war-torn Nation.

Either way, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

TommyType

@Intueor said:
After giving the piece some thought, here is one more opinion. Based purely on the symbolism, this is an attempt to enter the mind of 160-year-old artisan. I am using the pronoun “he” but I mean no gender bias, it just reads easier.
….
Either way, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

>

I like it!

The only stretch, maybe, is the "Lasting" part, but that isn't critical to the overall message.

I think we have a winner....

Hemispherical

@Intueor

Very comprehensive reasoning and I like it a lot. Thanks!

JBK

Maybe it was just a ploy to make us crazy a century and a half later.

sellitstore

OK, allow me to offer a couple of facts that may lead in a different direction.

First, the dove is among the most commonly taught and drawn object in 19th century penmanship and calligraphy classes, which were very common at the time.

Second, temperance tokens, including many hand engraved and personalized pieces, were popular throughout the 19th and early 20th century. Perhaps the message is an "anti-whiskey" one.

I haven't figured it out but perhaps someone else can if you consider that it could have been carried by someone as a reminder NOT to drink.

ARCO

What does this engraved half dollar say ?

Sell me to Arco. Very cool.

BJandTundra

A Toast to Peace over A Vin(e)tage Barrel of Whiskey?

Or Not.

Intueor

@BJandTundra said:
A Toast to Peace over A Vin(e)tage Barrel of Whiskey?

Or Not.

Wow, Well Done. I like it better than mine without all the crap.
Just a slight change
Toast A Peace Over A Barrel of Whiskey!

sellitstore

From a Pennsylvania whiskey distillery established in 1753:

Hemispherical

@sellitstore said:
From a Pennsylvania whiskey distillery established in 1753:

Great scott @sellitstore this is a lead to solve the mystery! I hope.

DNADave

Another similar design on eBay.

oldUScoins

I think it is the 19th century equivalent of "I want to rock n roll all night, and party every day.."

CaptHenway

@sellitstore said:
OK, allow me to offer a couple of facts that may lead in a different direction.

First, the dove is among the most commonly taught and drawn object in 19th century penmanship and calligraphy classes, which were very common at the time.

Second, temperance tokens, including many hand engraved and personalized pieces, were popular throughout the 19th and early 20th century. Perhaps the message is an "anti-whiskey" one.

I haven't figured it out but perhaps someone else can if you consider that it could have been carried by someone as a reminder NOT to drink.

OK, so "(whatever the tankard means) A dove (over) A barrel (of) WHIS-key."

Some variation of "Choose?"

davewesen

DNADave, are there die markers on the other side confirming 1861-O half? What about the recent one you posted? I like the edge, what is on the other side of it?

Drizzt

??
Earn a peace over a keg of whiskey

Hemispherical

This thread is back... oh joy!

Well not really joy, but maybe new blood has new insights.

BuffaloIronTail

Pitcher (picture) a "peace" over a barrel of whiskey.

Best I can offer.

Pete

JBK

This was probably fairly easy for a clever person of that era to figure out.

It is sort of a reminder that common knowledge or an understanding of events at the time add a context that makes something meaningful when a hundred years later it will be a total mystery.

Smittys

Have A Swallow
A Barrel of Whiskey

jmlanzaf

A peck is 2 gallons. It would then read:

A cup (or glass), a peck, a barrel of whiskey.

JBK

@jmlanzaf said:
A peck is 2 gallons. It would then read:

A cup (or glass), a peck, a barrel of whiskey.

I's say "mug" or "stein" based on the image, but small difference.

It may have been a rhyme or drinking song of the era, along those lines.

Baley

Should have drawn a small hand-broom in place of WHIS

Drizzt

I see now it was already posted. Draft a peace over a keg of whiskey.

JBK

@Drizzt said:
I see now it was already posted. Draft a peace over a keg of whiskey.

A quick Google search of that phrase showed pre-Civil War negotiations with Indians (maybe in Tennessee?) where a barrel of whiskey was the "ransom".

Or maybe Civil War related? Gen. Grant was a big whiskey drinker.

Coinscratch

Maybe the second A is another symbol like Teepee. Otherwise I just see "Drink A Barrel of Whiskey A".

JBK

@CoinscratchFever said:
Otherwise I just see "Drink A Barrel of Whiskey A".

Ohhh. Maybe its Canadian.

Coinscratch

@JBK . A

Hemispherical

TTT

Coinscratch

When you google keysihw you get images of cocktails.
So when read counterclockwise you get "A drink of Whiskey" then clockwise from the other A you get "A keysihw fo drink"
Which kinda sounds Injun for "I kiss you for drink".