Egyptian Coin, Token, Medal, Charm or ?

paladin

Anybody know what this is? I've seen a couple on eBay but no one seems to know what exactly they are. Someone indicated they might be about 100 years old. Any ideas?
It appears to be copper, weighs 13 gms. and is 32mm in diameter.

WillieBoyd2

It is a medal with various Egyptian symbols, pyramids, sphinx, pharoah.

These were produced in various metals and sizes since the 1920's,
probably inspired by the discovery of King Tut's tomb.

One appears in a 1946 film:



It is a prop shown in the DVD 1946 film "Duel in the Sun", about 57 minutes into the film.
It looks like a magicians "coin" with Egyptian symbols on it.
The size in the film appears to be close to a US silver dollar.
Walter Huston gives it to Jennifer Jones as a "purity" medal

lordmarcovan

WTG! Who'd have thought one of your onscreen coins would provide the answer to a forum mystery?

paladin

Thanks for the info. Mine doesn't have the loop on it though. Just looks like a coin and the size of a silver dollar. I've never seen anything like this before.

WillieBoyd2

These kind of items with mystic symbols were sold by travelling carnivals and general stores.

They would be pocket pieces or worn (if they had loops).

paladin

So I guess you could say that these were sold as amulets, and probably made here in the U.S. They don't cost much - can usually find on ebay for $5 - $10. Interesting story. Thanks again for clearing this up.

Sapyx

<< <i>Someone indicated they might be about 100 years old. >>


Yep, they've been around for awhile, since way before the discovery of King Tut's Tomb. Someone over on the CCF forum dug up an advertisement for them out of a 1905 Sears & Roebuck catalogue. Attached to a pseudo-Egyptian fob-holder, the original sale price was 12 cents each, available in oxidized silver or gilt finish. Linky.

No way to tell exactly how old your piece is, though. They could still be making them somewhere, for all we know.

paladin

Great info - thanks Sapyx. I have noticed mine has some extra characters on the sphinx side. There's a swastika to the right of the sphinx base, and to the left there appears to be the initials EK. Strange. Mine is pretty dirty. Anyone know how to clean copper without destroying the patina?

WillieBoyd2

These items are Egyptian Magic Coins, a type of exonumia dating from the early 1900's.


Egyptian Magic Coin

They have Egyptian symbols on both sides, one side has the sphinx and pyramids,
the other side has a pharaoh and various hieroglyphic symbols.
They usually do not have any text inscriptions.

Apparently the first use was as a watch fob sold by the Sears company in 1905.

Later, the medallions with loops were made for wearing as amulets or jewelry.

Some were manufactured without loops and look like coins.

They have appeared for years on Internet coin and metal detecting boards, on Ebay,
at coin shows, and even in the movies.

See "Egyptian Magic Coin" on my website for more information on these items.

lordmarcovan

Funny you'd post one of those here. I knew WB2 would be all over this one.

Say, WB2, I promised you the one I found in a token lot but have since misplaced it, I think. Will send it to you if and when it turns up again.