Deciphering a Love Token - 'William H Jones Millville NJ Bailbonds? 1870' - What does it say?
Davidk7
Posts: 537 ✭✭✭✭
I am a sucker for love tokens with a story - as evidenced by my previous thread here
I recently bought this love token engraved 'William H Jones Millville NJ ____ 1870, but I'm having trouble reading the word before 1870. To me, it looks like the first 4 letters are 'Bail' so maybe bailbonds but the other letters look a little different? Maybe those 3 rings signify something? I haven't been able to find any information on him through research yet but I'm thinking that deciphering the word would probably help. Here are some photos! Thanks in advance for the help!
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
1
Comments
PHILADELPHIA?
i like starting with Bail
is that a dri at the end? or dei?
rwb ats could help
The three rings were used by the organization known as the "odd fellows." They stood for friendship, love, and truth.
It's hard to make out, but I would rule out bailbonds.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Bartender might fit.
if it weren't for the dots above, i could take bartender
try nic a date
@BillJones needs this!
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
If it's an Oddfellows-related piece, perhaps the mystery word is some kind of office, rank or title within that organization.
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"
Apparently I have been awarded the DPOTD twice.
I agree. It very possibly refers to the owner's elevation to some position or level in the organization.
I tried a little googling but didn't find a term that was an obvious match.
I agree with the International Order of the Oddfellows for the rings. Very distinctive, and quite an organization.
I would think the word in question was a restaurant or business in the township where the IOOF was in Vermont in 1870, but can't imagine a Bail Bondsman (maybe).
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
He’s from Millville, NJ, and he was a member of the Odd Fellows. This was probably his pocket piece, give the even and extensive wear pattern. Millville is close enough to Philadelphia to view it as “in the metropolitan area.” The Philadelphia TV stations mentioned it all the time when I was a child in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s.