Dating vintage rocker balance coin scale?
Namvet69
Posts: 9,110 ✭✭✭✭✭
Rescued this cute Fairbanks & Ewing brass coin scale at the flea market. 3 machined coin sizes of 24.2, 30.2 and 37.7 mm. Each position also has an anti-counterfeit thickness slot. Item marked "Approved By The US Mint" on counterweight and "Fairbanks & Ewing Phila" on coins side. No patent, no model #s. Lots of auction pics on an 1870's Fairbanks Infallible coin scale that has only 2 coin sizes but nothing on this one. Let me know what you know. 4 pics below. Thanks. 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
Comments
@Namvet69
Still working on the date but here is one that sold a couple of years ago.
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Fairbanks & Ewing Three Slot Rocker. The Philadelphia firm, Fairbanks & Ewing, made this brass rocker-style counterfeit detector with three coin slots. The slots are unmarked. APPROVED BY THE U.S. MINT is stamped on the top of the counterweight, and a small paper inscribed "#25" is taped to the bottom. Very good condition. Measures 9.6 x 1.2 x 1.3 inches. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Heritage Auctions 11/2018 (Newman XI), lot15676 (realized $2160). Heritage link: http://www.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1283&lotIdNo=11681
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
circa 1878 ?
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Fairbanks & Ewing Three-Slot Rocker. A Fairbanks & Ewing, Philadelphia, brass rocker counterfeit detector with three coin slots, circa 1878. The slots are unmarked. APPROVED BY THE U.S. MINT is stamped on the top of the counterweight. Good condition, with a slight bend at the middle coin slot. Measures 9.6 x 1.2 x 1.3 inches. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Heritage Auctions 11/2018 (Newman XI), lot15677 (realized $1560). Heritage link: http://www.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1283&lotIdNo=11683
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
Great find by the way
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
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
@1630Boston Well that was quick. Thanks for the specific info. Dimensions are right on and it's not bent or damaged. I actually got kind of excited when I forked over $8. Merry Christmas my friend. 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
@Namvet69
I hate to post too much info, but that company has a very interesting history.
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FAIRBANKS HISTORY
As one of the nation's oldest industrial manufacturing companies, Fairbanks Scales has consistently maintained a solid reputation of providing top quality products and service since 1830.
An Early Partnership Builds Foundations
It all began with two brothers, Thaddeus and Erastus Fairbanks. Thaddeus, a mechanic and builder, was a wagon maker by trade. Full of new ideas for inventions, he built a foundry in 1823 to manufacture two of his inventions—the cast iron plow and a stove.
In 1824, Erastus joined Thaddeus' lucrative business. The two brothers formed the E & T Fairbanks Company in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Once in business together, the two brothers realized that the current weighing system yielded inaccurate results. So, Thaddeus decided to invent a new, more dependable weighing machine.
Innovation Found in the Form of Levers
Through an arrangement of levers, Thaddeus Fairbanks was able to tremendously reduce the amount of weight needed to counter-balance a load. Not completely satisfied with his invention, he took it a step further. He dug a pit for the levers, placing the platform level with the ground. This modification ended the task of having to hoist the entire load.
In his first design, Thaddeus rested a platform on two long levers which were connected to a steelyard, upon which the counterbalance was placed. Although achieving accurate weighing results, Thaddeus was troubled by the instability of the design.
On the morning he was to leave St. Johnsbury for the test marketing of the scale, he discovered a solution to his dilemma. By adding two short levers to his long ones, he established support points at all four corners of the platform. Now his scale was not only accurate, but very stable.
In 1830, Thaddeus built his first real scale and applied for a patent. The new scale was a hit. Before the design was finalized, customers were already placing orders. It looked like the opportune time for the business to expand.
Fairbanks Plays Major Role in Industrialization
While the Fairbanks brothers were building the foundations of Fairbanks Scales, the United States was stepping into the Industrial Age and on its way to becoming the strongest industrial nation in the world.
The E & T Fairbanks Company played an integral role in the emerging world giant. By the time of the Civil War, Fairbanks' scales were the best known American product in the world. Erastus and Thaddeus were now joined by their younger brother, Joseph. With just $4,000 and 10 employees, the company was making scales, plows and stoves.
1860 Marks Major World-Wide Expansion for Fairbanks
In less than 30 years, the three Fairbanks brothers had hired more than 1,000 workers to supply the demand for Fairbanks products. The workforce now included salesmen and agents who combed the marketplace with drawings and watercolors of the scales. The modest one-building operation would eventually grow to 40 buildings with more than 20 acres of floor space within the next 50 years.
E & T Fairbanks & Company offices were soon opened in the cities of Boston and New York. In the meantime, Fairbanks’ scales were also being sold throughout Europe. Thaddeus had the foresight to sell manufacturing rights to H. Poole and Sons in England in the 1830s, thus creating an international marketing niche.
In 1846, trade began in China. Two years later, Joseph Fairbanks began selling scales to Cuba. By 1860, the Vermont-based company was selling scales throughout the Caribbean, South America, India and Russia. In fact, European sales grew to such an extent that Fairbanks established a facility in Budapest to assemble scales.
Following the end of the Civil War in 1865, the United States continued to prosper and grow—so did E & T Fairbanks & Company. Within two years of the war’s end, Fairbanks was turning out 4,000 scales a month and meeting the needs of the expanding worldwide demand.
Buyers knew they could count on Fairbanks-a company respected for its accuracy, dependability and longevity—to deliver the best product available. For instance, when the U.S. Post Office unexpectedly ordered 3,000 postal scales in various capacities, E & T Fairbanks & Company filled the order in just eight days.
1882, Design Improvements Increase Patent Holdings
By 1882, more than 80,000 Fairbanks scales were being produced annually. By 1897, the company held 113 patents for improvements and inventions in weighing. Fairbanks offered its customers 2,000 standard model scales, yet made as many as 10,000 different models and custom systems.
1916 - 1958, Mergers and Acquisitions Bring Experience to Fairbanks
In 1916, Charles Hosmer Morse, a Fairbanks employee, acquired control of the company. Then in 1927, the Fairbanks office in New York became part of the Fairbanks-Morse company, giving Fairbanks-Morse complete control over the manufacturing and distribution of Fairbanks Scales. During this time the Fairbanks-Morse company produced not only scales but diesel engines, electric engines and pumps for industrial use. In 1958, Fairbanks-Morse merged with Penn-Texas and was renamed Fairbanks-Whitney.
Following the merger, came a period of stagnation for Fairbanks-Whitney. New leadership was brought in four years later when George Strichman was appointed president. Renamed Fairbanks Weighing Division of Colt Industries, Fairbanks experienced a rebirth.
1966, 1975 - New Manufacturing Facility Built
A modern manufacturing plant replaced the deteriorating facilities in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, in 1966. And in 1975, a new factory was built in Meridian, Mississippi, producing a variety of products designed for heavy capacity weighing.
1988 - New Ownership Marks Recent Evolution of Fairbanks
It was in 1988 that Fairbanks came under the current management of F.A. "Bill" Norden, president and major stockholder of Fairbanks Scales. He headed a group which acquired the company from Colt Industries.
With new leadership came more changes. Finance, marketing and executive offices were moved from St. Johnsbury to the more central location of Kansas City, Missouri.
1999 to Today
In 1999, F.A. Norden was named Chairman of the Board and his son, Richard Norden, became Fairbanks' President and COO.
Today, Fairbanks has more than 500 employees nationwide and maintains service centers, authorized distributors and sales offices in 49 states and more than 25 countries. Selling everything from precision and bench scales to heavy capacity truck scales and railroad track scales, Fairbanks continues to stand at the leading edge of weighing technology.
Fairbanks' most recent inventions have once again set the company apart as an industry leader. Fairbanks' Intalogix ™ Technology allows scales to achieve higher levels of accuracy, diagnostic capabilities and reliability currently unmatched by industry competitors. Other recent industry-first innovations have included new sanitary design weighing systems to meet the increasing demand for contaminant-free food processing equipment, and the water-tight epoxy encapsulation of circuit boards to ensure years of reliable use out of electronics components. These state-of-the-art technologies continue the Fairbanks tradition of setting the standard for weighing equipment throughout the world.
Although a lot has changed over the years since the day that Thaddeus Fairbanks invented the platform scale, one thing remains unchanged… Fairbanks Scales' time-honored tradition for accuracy, reliability and durability.
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
@1630Boston The Fairbanks boys were quite the inventors. Their product line was intense. Obviously this rocker scale protected commerce in gold coins. Have a good day. 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
That really nice! Thanks for posting it
@Namvet69 ... What a great find, and a fantastic price. Also @1630Boston, thanks for the interesting history of the company. This forum is great.... Cheers, RickO
Any idea what coins match these three coin sizes?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Nice find and great price.
Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM
@PerryHall The thickness slots are 2.8 mm, 2.1mm and 1.6mm.
Well, diameter wise, Double eagles are 34mm and everything else is smaller from there.
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
I read the title...
"Dating vintage rocker........."
I was going to respond "WRONG FORUM!" but I was looking forward to reading about it.
I do put some thought into the titles, most of the time.
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
I've dated a couple vintage rockers...
@jedm Great, what say you about my 3 slot rocker balance Fairbanks & Ewing scale. Are there any accessories that go with this item? Is it a model 25? 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
I was hoping you went out to a nice dinner. Absolutely fell for it. Thanks. Your titles are well thought out 😉
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
Well since you asked I think you got one heckuva great deal for $8 when the (identical looking) one that sold at Heritage went for over $1500. I hope you have some vintage gold double eagles, eagles and half eagles to have some fun trying it out.
It's very unusual that the holes aren't labeled as to what coin fits each hole. Also, the hole sizes on the scale don't match any US gold coins. The holes and slots in these counterfeit detectors are there to check the diameter and thickness of the coins being examined in addition to position the coin to check the weight. Is it possible this counterfeit detector was made for export to a country with coins of these sizes?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
@PerryHall in reading the company story, Fairbanks scales in general, were an international success with worldwide sales. This unit is stamped Approved By the US mint so I don't think it's for export. I did play with some silver coins and it is sensitive to the weight difference between a Barber half that's worn to Good vs one that's EF. Also the 3 machined positions are necessary because coins will slide off the arm without this accommodation. I checked both auction images and the measurements, design style and markings or lack thereof are the same. See balance test pics below.
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
The half dollar fits the middle hole perfectly. It appears to be made for checking silver coins. Did you check the smallest hole with a quarter and the largest hole with a silver dollar?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
You can date whatever and whoever you want as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody.
Very neat. Now I will be keeping any eye out for one
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
We're waiting in anticipation of your trying it now with a silver dollar and quarter.
@PerryHall @jedm This is mission control, we have confirmation that a Morgan and a 90% quarter are a matched balance.
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
At first glance of this thread....the "Dating vintage rocker" part, my first thought was Linda Ronstadt.
I was thinking Joan Jett
Me too. But I couldn't remember her name. So...I went with Linda.
That's great. At least we know the scale works as intended and those coins are real.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I’m not sure how this works but I think you are maybe a candidate for a “You Suck” award 😉. $8 for a $1500+ coin scale. Perhaps someone can weigh in with the procedure for the “You Suck” honors.
Congratulations and you get my vote!👍🏼
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
Shucks Jim, I'm honored just to be nominated.
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
Great find! Glad you rescued it from the flea market!
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