Electro Gold and Silver Coin Test Token

USA240

This is an unusual looking token
Any idea to the original purpose?

Baker & Simonton
Edinburg, Ind
Patented Apr 23, 1878
25.3 MM
9.3 Grams
Medal-Turn alignment
Grey color metal and fairly thick

Thank you

CaptHenway

No idea. Did there used to be something in the hole?

JBK

No idea at all. I was going to guess that it was a token used to test the electroplating process at a company that did that sort of plating, but I think the patent date makes it too early for that.

The Patent Office has a sea 3rd ch function for old patents that you can search by date. You may or may not be able to get some idea about its purpose from the original patent.

ricko

It looks like a slug for plating testing...I have seen plating samples sent to customers for testing, but not like that. A quick google search did not turn up anything on the firm. Cheers, RickO

Texast

Test Metal for coin replacement alloys, seems a lot of changes taking place around that time period.

It seems that the hole would aid in wearing the metal surface down faster.

Just a guess.

USA240

@CaptHenway said:

No idea. Did there used to be something in the hole?

There does not appear to be evidence of anything ever being inside of the hole.
Surfaces seem very porous, possibly spent time in the ground?

Thank you!

jrlawson59h

@USA240 Would you consider selling?

coinsarefun

Don’t know but super interesting

ifthevamzarockin

Two year old thread bumped by new member wanting to buy.
The OP hasn't signed in since February 4, 2021
Might be waiting a while for a reply.

jrlawson59h

Ya i know leave it to the new guy….. unfortunately I don't know of another option on how to contact the owner? As far as answering the owners original question. Its a zink coated disk when a pure gold or silver coin is placed in the middle the opposing metals create a small electrical charge that can be detected by the tongue. Not the most hygienic invention lol. I just have a sentimental desire to find one.

pcgscacgold

@jrlawson59h said:
Ya i know leave it to the new guy….. unfortunately I don't know of another option on how to contact the owner? As far as answering the owners original question. Its a zink coated disk when a pure gold or silver coin is placed in the middle the opposing metals create a small electrical charge that can be detected by the tongue. Not the most hygienic invention lol. I just have a sentimental desire to find one.

Maybe you already tried but you could send them a message with the hope that they still have an alert come to their linked email account. They have been gone for a while but not years.

jrlawson59h

Also its Baker and Simon Ton not Simonton.

Baker was from Edinburg (now Edinburgh) Indiana and Simon Ton was from Taylorsville, Indiana

jrlawson59h

@pcgscacgold said:

@jrlawson59h said:
Ya i know leave it to the new guy….. unfortunately I don't know of another option on how to contact the owner? As far as answering the owners original question. Its a zink coated disk when a pure gold or silver coin is placed in the middle the opposing metals create a small electrical charge that can be detected by the tongue. Not the most hygienic invention lol. I just have a sentimental desire to find one.

Maybe you already tried but you could send them a message with the hope that they still have an alert come to their linked email account. They have been gone for a while but not years.

Im new at all this can you tell me where and how i would send them a message?

jrlawson59h

Hopefully if @USA240 is still active I can figure out some way to contact

pcgscacgold

@jrlawson59h
Click on the link you just posted for USA240. A new screen will pop up. At the top there will be a Message link. Click that and you will see a message screen come up. I am not sure how long you have to be here to be able to message people. They should receive a notification that you have referenced them in a post. That might work just as well.