Coin ID Help . . . Please? :)

Roskva · October 22, 2003 9:29AM

Hey all--

I'm not really much of a collector and I'm a newbie here, but I was hoping you all could help me out.

I found a couple (possibly matching) coins that I have. They don't say much, and they're gunked up pretty bad, so I have no clue where they came from. I think they must be tokens of some kind, but it would be really great if some of you knowledgeable peoples could tell me what they are for sure.

You can't tell from the pictures, but brass shines through in spots on both of them.

Sorry if the pictures are a bit large.

P.S. The top coin says 20c on one side and has what appears to be a medieval-style "O" on the other. It might be a "Q" or a "C" but I'm pretty sure it's an "O".

Thanks!

Roskva

ajaan · October 22, 2003 9:39AM

Tokens? Don't really look like coins to me.

oldshep · October 22, 2003 9:48AM

I can't tell what they are but someone on this forum will probably know - Let me say welcome to you roskva - the more we have here the more we will all learn.
Shep

lordmarcovan · October 22, 2003 10:25AM

Tokens of some sort.

Both early twentieth century, judging from the denticulation and lettering style.

1jester · October 22, 2003 10:46AM

Welcome, Roskva! Sorry, but I don't know anything about your tokens.

lordmarcovan · October 22, 2003 11:06AM

I don't think "denticulation", in my previous post is a real word. Sounded intelligent, though.

I guess it's "dentilation". Whatever.

I say the tokens are early 1900's from the denticles and (especially) the style of the numerals. It's not a foolproof dating method, of course, but I am usually pretty good at guessing, just based on lettering style and stuff like that. The "20c" on the first piece has a more modern numeral style. The 10c piece could be late 19th century, or on up to the 1920's. Just a WAG, of course, but a slightly educated WAG.

Aethelred · October 22, 2003 11:07AM

Some kind of tokens, but I guess you knew that already.

Askari · October 22, 2003 12:47PM

Welcome, Roskva!!

First I've seen of these, I'm afraid, but I would agree they look like tokens or maybe Notgeld (which is the same thing, really). I agree with LM that the "10s" at least are roughly ca. 1900 (maybe +/- 20 years). The "20 c" (centavos? centimes?) looks more 1930s-50s but the Gothic "O" looks rather older.

Roskva · October 22, 2003 1:46PM

*grin* Actually, Lord Marcovan, denticulation is correct. Dentilation isn't a word, though. BTW, it was pretty intelligent--I actually had to go and look it up.

Uh-oh. I just exposed myself for what I really am! I'm not a coin collector--I'm a word junky. And grammar fanatic. And--er--I'll stop now.

So, since my "coins" are pretty much decided to be old tokens, are they worth anything? I had to ask. I've been wondering about them for years.

Thanks so much, guys. You're pretty nifty bunch.

P.S. Um, er, yeah, I forgot to mention I have a smiley addiction.

Oops! There I go again.

Roskva

sumnom · October 22, 2003 2:27PM

Here is the definition of the word "denticulation" from the OED:

The condition of being denticulate or finely toothed; usually concr. an instance of this; a series of small teeth or tooth-like projections (mostly in pl.).

1681 GREW Musæum (J.), The denticulation of the edges of the bill, or those small oblique incisions made for the better retention of the prey. 1829 LOUDON Encycl. Plants 609 Branches flat, linear, leafless. Denticulations flower bearing. 1862 DANA Man. Geol. 477 The teeth have a smooth margin without denticulations. 1874 J. T. MOGGRIDGE Ants & Spiders Supp. 259 The denticulation of the tarsal claws..is similar.

Coin ID Help . . . Please? :)

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