What is this?

texian

I have eight large books, each containing several hundred coins that my Dad inherited and we have no idea what most of them are. I will post more over the next few months/years . A couple of these books look like they were finished in the 50's and haven't been touched since. Here is one token, what is it? I have collected currency for many years, but seriously know very little about coins. Thanks...

Front

I assume this is not worth much, but still curious as to what it is.

Back

MrSpud

Looks like a Bryan coin. 16 to 1 was the value ratio of gold to silver or something like that.

TomB

It appears to be a token making reference to the gold-to-silver value ratio and might have been made as a contemporary to Bryan dollars. It is pretty cool.

RichieURich

The Bryan 16 to 1 refers to William Jennings Bryan, who ran for President of the U. S. in 1896 and 1900, campaigning in favor of silver coinage at a ratio of 16:1 vs. gold. I'm not sure if the piece you pictured is genuine or not as I can't tell from the photo. I'm sure there are more knowledgeable folks on this board who can help.

texian

Good information and very cool. Thanks. This coin came from a collection of a well-respected stamp and coin dealer that was in business from the late 40's to the mid 80's and considering this was in his personal collection, my guess would lean towards it being genuine. This one just happened to be the first one of many that I intend to scan as time permits.

texian

TTT. Any other info?

Writersblock

It kind of looks to me like it was a "personal" token handmade by a Bryan supporter and not a commercially made political item. i could bewrong though. I don't have the books on Bryan money, or references on political memorabilia.

What is the size of the piece? It looks like copper, is that right?

holeinone1972

Are you sure it's not a seat marker for a Texas hold'em tournement?

Table 16- seat 1