Post your inexpensive but interesting items
Zoins
Posts: 34,115 ✭✭✭✭✭
To go with the appreciate inexpensive but interesting items thread, post your reasonably priced but interesting items.
Here's one of my favorite recent pickups. I just love looking at it.
Tagged:
27
Comments
ca. 1806 American-used balance scale, but probably manufactured in England:
What makes this scale special are two pieces of paper glued in it, one a notice from some newspaper titled AMERICAN STANDARD OF MONEY, the other a note stuck inside the base of the box that reads "1/2 oz. 9 1/2 pwts." The newspaper notice reads, in full, "AMERICAN STANDARD OF MONEY, approved by act of Congress, April, 10, 1806 ... Gold ... Eagle, valued at ten dollars, must weigh 11 pennyweights, 6 grains ... Half Eagle, at five dollars, 5 do, 15 do. Quarter Eagle, at two dollars and fifty cents, 2 do 19 1/2 do. -- Silver ... Dollar must weigh 17 pennywts., 7 grs. Half dollar 8 do. 16 do. Quarter Dollars, 4 do, 4 do. French Crown at 1 doll. and ten cents. 18 do 17 do." With the reference to French ecus as the only non-US Mint coins noted, my best guess is that this piece comes from somewhere where French ecus made up a sizable part of the circulating medium, meaning St. Louis, New Orleans, or somewhere else in the lower Mississippi Valley. The manuscript note is an odd conversion, as a half ounce is actually 10 pennyweights, which begs the question of why this merchant was shaving off a half grain from every half ounce.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
What a fantastic piece. It's been quite sometime since I've seen a lamination so impressive and one that "knocks you out". And to have the flap still intact with the coin. You could almost label it:a flip over double date (one in reverse). Excellent pick up. As this is my favorite type of error, I will keep this photo on file for future viewing.
Most pie cutters/spur roundels were made from large cents rather than silver coins. This one cost me $43
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
This embossing seal was cut by William Wagner of York, Pennsylvania, likely sometime between 1840 and 1860, when he died. Not only was he an engraver, but also a druggist, banker, painter, and photographer. Among his work, are a few bank notes and maps. Interesting to me is the seal's central feature - a replication of the eagle portrayed on the seated coinage of the era.
Interesting, but relatively inexpensive at $50 or so, IIRC.
This was relatively inexpensive:
@jwitten...That is unique.... I have never seen one like that before....Cheers, RickO
I bought this piece more than a quarter century ago for $25. I can't imagine that it sells for any more than $100 today, probably less. This piece provides with a slice of 19th century life for the Irish immigrants.
Starting in 1845 a blight hit the potato crop in Ireland. Life had never been easy for the Irish. Oppressive British laws prevented the Irish from owning property, working in the professions, voting, holding public office or even owning a horse that had a value greater than 5 pounds. When the blight hit, it became impossible for them to get enough food to eat, and there was considerable starvation. That started a second mass migration to North America, which had started in the early 1825.
The usual plan was to scrape together enough money for one young male family member to come to America. The point of departure was Liverpool, England which was the second largest city in England, next to London, and the principle shipping point for the British Empire.
The conditions on the ships that brought these immigrants to American were awful. They were dirty, rat and louse infested and extremely cramped. Passengers often had to sleep on the floor, on their side on a cramped cabin with as many as six or more other people. The passage took five weeks or more. Ship provided food was a course concoction of wheat, barley, rye, molasses and peas. Some passengers brought their own food, but the water was often contaminated. Cholera and "ship fever" were often a deadly result of these deplorable conditions.
Once the immigrants reached America, things were only a little better. Most of them had very little money, little of no education and finding work was not easy. The phrase, "Help wanted, no dogs or Irishmen need apply," was not a work of fiction. Yet many of these Irish immigrants carved out a living and made enough to money home so that their relatives could survive and perhaps following them to America. A few, like the Kennedys, were rose to wealth and power.
This piece, which was issued in Chicago, Illinois, advertises a services to provide passage certificates from Liverpool to Chicago and bank drafts for 1 £ or more on the Royal Bank of Ireland. It is remarkable that Irish immigrants were able to send almost a million pounds sterling home to Ireland annually in drafts ranging from 1 to 10 £.
This piece which is listed as Fuld IL 150 AS-1a, is rated as an R-5 (76 to 200 known). I have not seen a great many of these tokens at the major shows, but it is an obtainable variety that has an interesting history that is just below the surface.
I have collected many local medals that are extremely rare for under $10.
Through my research of the early US Mint, I also collect Mint, Senate, and House reports of that time period. One of my favorites is a congressional report from the Committee on Gold and Silver Coins, 133 pages, that involves the details of the change of US gold coins in 1834. I got in the "old" days of eBay around the year 2000 for about $15, as I remember. Here are a couple of pages, the table shows a summary of deposits, wastage, and gain on copper (seigniorage). Good stuff.
So called "Magicians" coin.
Very inexpensive auction pick-up.
Nicely done as well.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
1876 cent...what was it used for
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71
Paid $2
This one was less than a hundred. To my eyes, it looks like Lady Liberty is walking in the rain. One of my favorites.
They really need to add a "WOW" button below some posts. That is a spectacular lamination. I would have been all over that like bee's on honey.
Well it's interesting.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/s.s.-central-america-gold-bars/a-california-gold-rush-history/a/1136-2363.s
My Type Set & My Complete Proof Nickel Set!
Two of the above coins deserve to be graded. The others I'd possibly save on sending them in unless you are doing a bulk handled lot.
@jtlee321.... truly unique lamination.... Cheers, RickO
I wish it was mine!!! I'd love to have that one.
Elmars glue ruins so many stamps. Shame.
Much cheaper than a Compugrade slab
I won this tonight... not sure if it qualifies for inexpensive ($285) but it IS interesting...
1869 The Bank of Nevada County, Nevada City California Seal. Uniface Brass. 57 mm x 12.5 mm. Essentially As Made.
Inscribed (in retrograde) THE BANK OF NEVADA COUNTY / INCORPORATED / SEPTEMBER / 18TH 1869. Used in a hand press to emboss the bank's seal on documents. A rare reminder of a long defunct bank in California's Gold Country.
Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
cheap contemporary coin chosen to be used as a makeshift washer, perhaps.
1876 is a rare date. Looks like it was custom fit for a turban wheel.
well not too sure if this is interesting but it's a Apothecaries weight that i bought some years ago
Coins for sale at link below
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOVMv7FZDb2BvqQnSIUKnelz2nhX9TVEMcKHgHm
Lava Coin
Italian coin pressed into a piece of volcanic lava and sold as a souvenir, probably to an American (WW2) serviceman.
Given to me by a friend after I helped her sell a small coin collection.
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television
I got this one recently and found the history behind it to be very interesting. It was only $5
My YouTube Channel
Half my collection fits in this category!
Here's a couple recent purchases just for fun...
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Very likely from the 1944 eruption of Mt Vesuvius. There were a lot of souvenirs created - this is a great one.
I like SLQs and I hear this guy did too.
1883 Liberty nickel, reeded edge, remnants of the gold plating are evident
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
I have been wondering what that is. I have one as well
Picked up cheap on ebay last month .... what would you say this is?
Struck through rotated, late-stage die cap! Cool!
Hard Times token: Webster Credit Currency = smooth sailing
Van Buren Metallic Currency = shipwreck
This was free from Bruce Wonder at the last show (well, thrown in because I bought some other coins)
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
Just saw this thread from a recent one.
I am scratching my head on this - is it a buck and a quarter? and did it have a use/purpose?
Hoard the keys.
This is a recent pick up. I also started a thread on the tokens. Very inexpensive
but very intriguing and great history behind it. There are as many as 20 different die varieties
.
.
.
CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
.
Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
.
More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Bringin' the wood...
I'm pumped to see the open book lamintation error because I have this lamintation error that I've thought about peeling back just to see what it looks like underneath. I assume that it would be the same as the one above - so thank you for posting that. Definitely a cool error coin
Hey 2Bitcollector
That 1876 penny in all probability did service work as a button. Usually in that period, a leather loop was put thru the center hole and a knot tied, the loop was put thru a slit in the deerskin jacket and looped over a piece of bone or wood on the other side. Served 2 purposes, 1 to hold the vest or jacket together and 2 to keep money secure as pockets weren't usually in vogue then. Additionally , Indians used small coins on the neck and shoulder areas of their clothing as jewelry whereas holes in the rim areas were used as adornments for necklaces and bracelets.
Bob Sr CEO Fieldtechs
Interesting to me anyway. Tapered planchet, 28 cents in bulk bag of Buffalos
Very much on the low-end of the numismatic spectrum, but these (Bermuda) have always pleased me:
I have two of the J.H.Cline elongated quarters. I offered to buy the first one, but the great Man gave it to me, gratis!
This was a fun and inexpensive buy around $10, for a 181 year old piece of history.
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
1960 roll hoard from estate @ F.V.
100% Positive BST transactions
My franklin suffering from the measles.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc