"Three-Cent Chicken"

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lordmarcovan
lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
"Three-Cent Chicken"



Pictorial love token on 1851 silver three-cent piece



image



Larger obverse image

Larger reverse image



Host coin: 1851 silver three-cent piece. Obverse: original six-pointed star design, unaltered. Reverse: planed off and re-engraved with image of a chicken (probably a rooster) left, with grass/foliage below, surrounded by simple lined border. Ex-"palmislandcoinsandcurrency" (eBay), 07/09/2016.



This is a relatively simple but quite well-executed pictorial love token. It was desirable enough in that right, but since it is also on a slightly less common host coin I found it all the more desirable. As the silver three-cent piece or "trime" was the United States' smallest silver coin, they had to be a bit more difficult for engraving artists to work on. The artist here did a good job and obviously had some experience. Additionally, the 1851 date on the host coin was the first year for this type.



Engraved/Counterstamped/Oddball Type Set

Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

Comments

  • kaz
    kaz Posts: 9,378 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    If it was a 51-O the MM could have been turned into an egg. I really like how the shading/"feathers" are executed on the bird's back. Nice work on such a tiny coin!
  • Jackthecat1
    Jackthecat1 Posts: 1,122 ✭✭✭
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    A fascinating piece.
    Member ANS, ANA, GSNA, TNC



    image
  • TwoKopeiki
    TwoKopeiki Posts: 9,969 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    ...with image of a chicken (probably a rooster) left...




    Does look like a nice ***** to me.
    Instagram: 8 Reales Numis
  • TwoKopeiki
    TwoKopeiki Posts: 9,969 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    *****erel
    Instagram: 8 Reales Numis
  • Aethelred
    Aethelred Posts: 9,291 ✭✭✭
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    image
    If you are in the Western North Carolina area, please consider visiting our coin shop:

    WNC Coins, LLC
    1987-C Hendersonville Road
    Asheville, NC 28803

    wnccoins.com
  • DIMEMAN
    DIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Like this one too!
  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: TwoKopeiki

    ...with image of a chicken (probably a rooster) left...




    Does look like a nice ***** to me.




    Yes, now there is photographic proof that I have a small ****. image



    image



    image







    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • MrEureka
    MrEureka Posts: 24,777 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very cool!
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very nicely done... I agree, the engraver had experience/talent.... Cheers, RickO
  • Jinx86
    Jinx86 Posts: 3,729 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Wow someone really loved their...uhh...Rooster.
  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: kaz

    If it was a 51-O the MM could have been turned into an egg. I really like how the shading/"feathers" are executed on the bird's back. Nice work on such a tiny coin!




    Now that would've been megacool! I did wonder if the host coin could've been an 1851-O.



    Guess we'll never know, unless there's some super specialist obverse diagnostic?



    As it is, I'll call it an "1851-0". (Note the final character, as in zero mintmark remaining.) image

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • BStrauss3
    BStrauss3 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It's quite worn, so it was probably carved well after 1851.

    Neat
    -----Burton
    ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
    Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    thats different but nice image
  • golden
    golden Posts: 10,535 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: kaz
    If it was a 51-O the MM could have been turned into an egg. I really like how the shading/"feathers" are executed on the bird's back. Nice work on such a tiny coin!


    image
  • SamByrd
    SamByrd Posts: 3,131 ✭✭✭✭
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    wonderful piece of Americana. The subject matter and real unusual host coin make it a rare critter for a love token.
  • bronzemat
    bronzemat Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great coin, Rob!
  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Coin is in hand now. Seeing such a tiny thing with so intricate an engraving gives me new respect for the long-dead artist who did it.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • TopographicOceans
    TopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
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    That looks like some pretty intricate work on a small canvas.

    You've got a pretty awesome collection of these by now. image
  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: TopographicOceans

    That looks like some pretty intricate work on a small canvas.



    You've got a pretty awesome collection of these by now. image




    Thanks. It's growing. I've got a car payment for the first time in 30 years, so my already small budget has become even smaller, and upgrades to my primary Box of 20 collection will come much less often. This modest, quirky little sideline collection gives me something to play with without having to spend too much. So far I've only wandered into 3-figure pricetag territory once for this Oddball set- most of this stuff has had mid-2-figure pricetags, which is much more budget-friendly. Furthermore, it's just cool stuff, every piece is unique, and it all packs a lot of bang for the buck, particularly in the cases where I'm able to sleuth out some of the backstory behind the individual pieces.



    My goals is for it to evolve into a type set along Dansco-7070-style lines.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • mannie gray
    mannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Supercool piece, thanks for sharing it.
  • asheland
    asheland Posts: 24,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: lordmarcovan
    Coin is in hand now. Seeing such a tiny thing with so intricate an engraving gives me new respect for the long-dead artist who did it.


    I have spoons with crests engraved like that. I've always admired the work of a good engraver!

    Great piece, Rob! image

    My YouTube Channel

  • ScarsdaleCoin
    ScarsdaleCoin Posts: 5,445 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks Andy for letting me know about this one. And congrats on the purchase. A fine piece and quite simply a great piece of art. I would say more a hobo nickel than a love token but sometimes these things really defy title. If you ever want to part with it please think of me. Enjoy. Jon
    Jon Lerner - Scarsdale Coin - www.CoinHelp.com

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