The host coin is a common date, so you didn't lose that much. The love token is nicely engraved, but I have not been in that market for years. The dimes are generally the most common love tokens.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
One of my extensions to my Liberty Nickel collection are love tokens engraved on them. One of my recent pickups was on an 1886. I am sure there are some on 1885's. The 1912-S would have to be done on the obverse in order to determine the correct host coin. Not sure I will ever see one of these.
Collector and Researcher of Liberty Head Nickels. ANA LM-6053
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
@jmlanzaf said:
We prefer "reverse" to "ass end"...well, most of us do.
He has given us a new numismatic nomenclature.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
@MsMorrisine said:
It would have to be asymmetrical decoration
Yes. But look at the font difference if it's an 18 or a B. Why would you use a completely different style for the B than the HT? and if it's an 18, it's off center and asymmetric as well.
Not only does the font style differ...the engraving of whatever it is seems to intertwine with the stylish font. There are at least two areas where the design passes OVER the stylish font while the majority of it seems to pass UNDER.
The initials are HTB and the work is typical of quite a few makers of love tokens in that they use a different style or decoration for each individual letter while keeping the intertwining of the letters cohesive. The shading of the H is horizontal while the shading of the T is slanted and the B is plain. Also notice that all the initials go over and under each of the others to create a "locked" look in the interconnection of the three letters. This type of work can be very identifiable and linked to an individual (unnamed) engraver.
Love tokens are interesting, and have a significant collector market. I only have a couple... One with a frog I got from @LordMarcovan.... I should look up that type of engraving, I think there is a way to tell the intended sequence of the letters. Cheers, RickO
@tokenpro said:
The initials are HTB and the work is typical of quite a few makers of love tokens in that they use a different style or decoration for each individual letter while keeping the intertwining of the letters cohesive. The shading of the H is horizontal while the shading of the T is slanted and the B is plain. Also notice that all the initials go over and under each of the others to create a "locked" look in the interconnection of the three letters. This type of work can be very identifiable and linked to an individual (unnamed) engraver.
Nice explanation.
The way to sell this is to advertise the initials and someone with the same initials may want to buy it.
It could be interesting for a dealer to buy a lot of these and sell them by the initials.
I don't collect these, but I couldn't resist buying one with my initials on it.
@2dueces said:
Ass End got me to look. I may have skipped reverse.
I’m slow. What is the hidden meaning of 0425?
Marijuana. April 25
Correction. Should be April 20.
I was wondering what you were smoking when you made the “425” crack.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
@2dueces said:
Ass End got me to look. I may have skipped reverse.
I’m slow. What is the hidden meaning of 0425?
Marijuana. April 25
Correction. Should be April 20.
I was wondering what you were smoking when you made the “425” crack.
Mebbe he just not good with meth.
100th pint of blood donated 7/19/2022 . Transactions with WilliamF, Relaxn, LukeMarshal, jclovescoins, braddick, JWP, Weather11am, Fairlaneman, Dscoins, lordmarcovan, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, JimW. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who so believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
Comments
Love token collectors will have some interest in it. Value ... ???
The host coin is a common date, so you didn't lose that much. The love token is nicely engraved, but I have not been in that market for years. The dimes are generally the most common love tokens.
It ceased being a coin of potential numismatic interest well over 100 years ago.
It's value is as a love token, and yes, there is some value.
The biggest challenge is figuring out the initials. I think I see an H and a T.
What's so special about a worn 1876 dime?
Not sure I understand what's your problem..🤔
One of my extensions to my Liberty Nickel collection are love tokens engraved on them. One of my recent pickups was on an 1886. I am sure there are some on 1885's. The 1912-S would have to be done on the obverse in order to determine the correct host coin. Not sure I will ever see one of these.
It's value is as a 'love token', which interests a completely different market of collectors.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
We prefer "reverse" to "ass end"...well, most of us do.
I'm sure the moderators do
HT 18
I see a "B," not an 18.
He has given us a new numismatic nomenclature.
Th
I’m thinking HBT too
Different font than the HT. I doubt it's a B or an 8. I think it's part of the decoration.
It would have to be asymmetrical decoration
Yes. But look at the font difference if it's an 18 or a B. Why would you use a completely different style for the B than the HT? and if it's an 18, it's off center and asymmetric as well.
Might have been added later, I suppose.
Not only does the font style differ...the engraving of whatever it is seems to intertwine with the stylish font. There are at least two areas where the design passes OVER the stylish font while the majority of it seems to pass UNDER.
cool
Is this redundundant?

"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Depends on what we are talking about I suspect.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
The initials are HTB and the work is typical of quite a few makers of love tokens in that they use a different style or decoration for each individual letter while keeping the intertwining of the letters cohesive. The shading of the H is horizontal while the shading of the T is slanted and the B is plain. Also notice that all the initials go over and under each of the others to create a "locked" look in the interconnection of the three letters. This type of work can be very identifiable and linked to an individual (unnamed) engraver.
How did you find a pic of the OP?
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Love tokens are interesting, and have a significant collector market. I only have a couple... One with a frog I got from @LordMarcovan.... I should look up that type of engraving, I think there is a way to tell the intended sequence of the letters. Cheers, RickO
Ass End got me to look. I may have skipped reverse.
I’m slow. What is the hidden meaning of 0425?
"I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.
Marijuana. April 25
Correction. Should be April 20.
The engraving has the “T” and the “H” where’s the “C”hiding? 🙀
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
Nice explanation.
The way to sell this is to advertise the initials and someone with the same initials may want to buy it.
It could be interesting for a dealer to buy a lot of these and sell them by the initials.
I don't collect these, but I couldn't resist buying one with my initials on it.
420.
I'm bass ackwards on one forum members' judgement of another, based off a number in a moniker. Onward, kids.
Hmmm.... good point. I stand corrected. Clearly I shouldn't type while high
You need to get out with your students more often
Going deep and long on Beanie Babies would be more profitable.
I was wondering what you were smoking when you made the “425” crack.
While driving my son to school today, we drive by many, many ranches.
I saw a donkey and I said to my son, Look son, there's an ass.
Mebbe he just not good with meth.
How we celebrate 420 here in Colorado:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/41999-mile-marker
OMG, LMAO. That is the best. No way the original sign goes un-stolen.