Washington medal - Please help Identify

ipmman · April 9, 2007 8:13AM

I have looked through Fuld/Rulau 'Medallic portraits of Washington", and cannot fint the pictured medal listed.

It measures 38mm in diameter, and has a reeded edge. Both sides are identical, with a bust of washington in the center, surrounded by the legend "GEORGE WASHINGTON" above and "BORN 22 FEBY 1732 DIED 14 DEC 1799" below. Surrounded by beads, then stars, then deticled at the edge.

Any info?

StrikeOutXXX · April 9, 2007 8:16AM

"MT241b - Martinka.

This is magic token MT241 in Kuethe's reference on magician's tokens. It is nickel-silver, 38.5mm in diameter and in good condition, as seen in the obverse image. The reverse is slightly different than the obverse. The field has a bust of Washington facing right with GEORGE WASHINGTON / BORN 22 FEBY 1732 DIED 14 DEC. 1799 surrounding with 35 stars surrounding further on the obverse, but 36 stars surrounding on the reverse."

Magic Tokens

At least you know which side is the Rev

ipmman · April 9, 2007 8:32AM

<< <i>"MT241b - Martinka. >>

Just amazing. Now how the heck did you know that? i think it is almost impossible to stump the folks on this board...

BUT, I still have 2 items that have stumped the folks over at the World and ancient coins section, i tink i'll post them here.

Now, what the heck is a "magicians token" and are any of them worth anything?

Zoins · April 9, 2007 8:33AM

That's pretty cool

Are these props magicians use in their magic acts?

StrikeOutXXX · April 9, 2007 8:37AM

I had that page bookmarked from a metal detecting find and I got lucky. The 2 here yesterday and the one on the World forum yesterday were GLG - or "Got Lucky Googling"

In that shape, I can't imagine they are very expensive, the only Google result looks like it stumped the auctioneer, but:

Unlisted George Washington "Silver Dollar" Gaming Token. This unusual piece is the size of a US silver dollar, and like a silver dollar it has a reeded rim and dentilated border. The obverse and reverse seem to be identical, with each consisting of a circle of stars around a dentilated circle within which is "George Washington, Born 22. Feby 1732 Died 14. Dec. 1799" around an unusual bust of Washington. But when examined closely, the bust, while identical on both sides, is centered slightly differently on the obverse and on the reverse. So this was made using a master punch of Washington's bust. Not illustrated in the Rulau-Fuld definitive revision of Baker, nor was it in the Garret or Ford auctions, various lists of US pattern coins and mint medals, etc. Unsigned. 37 mm, silvered brass, reeded edge. One side strongly struck, the other side slightly double struck so that the edge dentilations are not clearly defined. Lightly toned XF/AU with areas of light brown and black toning on one side. $75.00-100.00+

StrikeOutXXX · April 9, 2007 12:08PM

<< <i>That's pretty cool

Are these props magicians use in their magic acts? >>

I believe they are. I didn't know a lot before I started checking, but the guide I see referenced is:
MAGICIANS TOKENS - TAMS, Kuethe. The definitive reference on magic tokens, illustrated. Soft-Bound 1978, 50p. Standard Reference, Rarity Guide.

IPMMAN - Here is another site with your token - they list it as an R5 for rarity.
Magic Token Society Page

Scarsdale coin has a page selling these, apparently there are quite a few expensive ones out there. I'm guessing this is an area without a lot of competition, will have to check around and see what's out there.
Scarsdale's MT Page

ScarsdaleCoin · April 9, 2007 1:35PM

Hi guys, had to throw my 2 cents in..... FYI I have one of the largest MT collections (its my own personal collection) around.... I have been collecting magicians tokens for the past 40 years.... please visit my sister site Magic Token Society magic link

A quick brief on magic tokens.... are tokens that were used either by magic stores, magic supply companies, or magicians .... they date back into the 1800's and there are several books on them... the most popular written by Bill Kuethe and listing the pieces by MT#

anyway nice to share something here that rarely gets mentioned hope everyone has a magical night!

Edit to add.... The Magic Token Society is my site, I do have some for sale on my own web site but only list 10 pieces.... I actually have about 5,000 pieces for sale..... I also have one of the top collections from another collector available its about 645 pieces and has a offering price of $45,000

ipmman · April 9, 2007 5:17PM

Scarsdale,

Do you have any opinions about the 38 star vs. 35/36 star versions of the token?

Gemini · April 9, 2007 7:32PM

The magic was Washington made the British disappear.

paulcourville · October 31, 2017 1:29PM

@ScarsdaleCoin said:
Hi guys, had to throw my 2 cents in..... FYI I have one of the largest MT collections (its my own personal collection) around.... I have been collecting magicians tokens for the past 40 years.... please visit my sister site Magic Token Society magic link

A quick brief on magic tokens.... are tokens that were used either by magic stores, magic supply companies, or magicians .... they date back into the 1800's and there are several books on them... the most popular written by Bill Kuethe and listing the pieces by MT#

anyway nice to share something here that rarely gets mentioned hope everyone has a magical night!

THE ENTRY BELOW NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED... **>
Edit to add.... The Magic Token Society is **NOT my site, I do have some for sale on my own web site but only list 10 pieces.... I actually have about 5,000 pieces for sale..... I also have one of the top collections from another collector available its about 645 pieces and has a offering price of $45,000