Opinion on what is this fractional gold piece
Smittys
Posts: 9,876 ✭✭✭✭✭
Gold tipped Screwdriver, Handle made out of?, and what was this used for?
3
Smittys
Posts: 9,876 ✭✭✭✭✭
Comments
I don't know but I like it. Warch repair maybe? Make that watch repair!
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
Maybe an ear pick.
?
I would guess watch tool.
Very cool exonumia. The gold piece has a great design. Now I gotta go find one for myself.
Could also be a dottle pick for pipe smoker.
Doubt it's for anything watch related. Looks too soft.
Fingernail pick.
That was my first thought---a tool for cleaning out a pipe bowl.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Likely a jewelers screwdriver and could well have been made by or for the same jeweler responsible for the fractional piece. Apparently jewelers were among those manufacturing the original fractionals as well as the fantasy piece knockoffs that continued to be made.
That is certainly a tiny tool... so jewelers tool is likely, not very rugged either. Also, the gold coin and gold plating would indicate it has value and likely a tool of an individual with means. Cheers, RickO
It does look like a jeweler's tool but that coin flopping around on the end doesn't seem very practical. That would be very distracting to me if I was trying to concentrate on delicate work.
And what tool would need a curved prybar shape to work on a watch?
Lets get real. That is a mighty big blade for anything a jeweler works on! Ditto a watchmaker. Possibly, some one who works on clocks, pianos, etc.
Fancy nose picker for those to high class to use their finger.
Collector of randomness. Photographer at PCGS. Lover of Harry Potter.
Looks like more of the shape of a woodworking chisel rather than a screwdriver and the gold on the tip would not hold up well for any kind of real use. I'm gonna guess some type charm for a bracelet or necklace.
Maybe made by a woodworker for his wife?
Snort, cocaine , I feel good..............:)
These have a tiny "bowl" on the end...at least the antique ones.
The way it looks in proportion to the hand that's holding it and the size of a typical half dollar gold I'm guessing it's only about one inch long. Might just be a souvenir of some sort. How big is it @Smitty ?
Here's a link to a gold half I found on CoinFacts that looks like this one.
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1870-50c-bg-1023/10852
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
jackhammer!
Wood is likely beech.
bob
the gold half is genuine just holed
"screwdriver is 1" long
Thanks. By the way, I wasn't suggesting the coin was a souvenir, just the screwdriver. I like the coin, hole and all.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
stethoscope.
Too large for any watch use; possibly case clock. Too small and delicate for any piano use.
The handle looks to be tiger-eye......Cute piece.....
I think leatherworking awl. Possibly a "lacing fid".
Could it have been made to possibly wind some type of Pocket Watch?
Whatever it is, I like it !!!
Possibly...
My totally non-expert guess is it could be a charm for a watch fob.
It's too bad @lordmarcovan doesn't wear his holey coin hat and vest. This would be a really cool addition
Could be a tool for popping open the back case of a pocket watch, but I don't know. Some cases had a back cover that snapped on and had a tiny notch like that to pry them open, not unlike the backs of modern wristwatches.
Perhaps @Jinx86 will know. I sold him my old WW1 Corps of Engineers pocket watch.
I can't swear to it, but I think I've seen a vintage watch chain with a similar tool attached. And of course holey coins were very frequently hung on watch chains, so...?
Neat little thing, whatever it is. I had two California Fractionals on the old Holey Gold Hat, back in the day.
Hmmmmmmmm............???? Naaah.
But then again..... hmmmmm
I keep a tiny screwdriver in my travel kit to repair my glasses, but I don't see needing something this fancy for similar use. As decorative as this is I would have to guess it was not only functional but was meant for folks to see one use. As part of a fob seems reasonable. As suggested were there watches that had a winding mechanism that this might have fit?
Hmmm...I find those little screwdriver sets for glasses are crap. They usually are toast after using once or twice and they are some sort of crappy steel. I can't imagine trying to tighten the screws in my glasses enough with a screwdriver made out of gold!
letter opener?
I this were a poll, I think this response would get my vote.
As a pocket watch collector I would vote against the watch caseback opener, as special knives were made for this. I have seen gold plated ones but never a solid gold.
My vote would be tobacco pipe cleaner.
That was my first thought and first reply.
However....it is awfully small and could barely even reach the bottom of a pipe bowl.
I'll stick with pick and vacate the jackhammer guess.
Find that old guy from Pawn Stars who knows everything and prices nothing. I think he was a museum curator or docent and was quite knowledgable about arcane old stuff. Red shirt and porkpie hat.
If not watch related then I guess tobacco (pipe) or toothpick.
I'm leaning more toward being a toothpick.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
FWIW ... looks llke a BG 1024 period 2 half ... low rarity 4
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
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