Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 9/30/2009

Question
Hello Dimitry,

I don't know whether this fits with your bailiwick or not but a friend bought, among others, a tin coin. I've put up a website at:
mysterycoin.com to try and elicit some expert information. Would you be kind enough to take a look and give me your opinion? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Errol,
You most certainly have a token of the Freemason Society. Most likely made in the US, but may also be from Britain. Canadian origin is possible also, though less likely.
Aside from the masonic symbolism, the message "In memory of the holy mission" refers to a masonic oath to keep the "holy mission", or the Freemason's goals for tolerance and equality, within one's heart. This is a part of the oath that members take in their secret initiation. Being a member, I am privy to this exact ceremony and oath.
This piece dates somewhere between the 1870's and 1930's. Tin items which are older than that typically exhibit signs of unavoidable environmental damage from exposure to air and moisture.
I'm sorry if this does not meet your expectations of the coin, however there were no such items in the 15-16th centuries done in this high a quality. Back then, pieces were often hammered or hand-struck, in a crude fashion with many irregularities. This one is just too crisp to be from that era. Coins and medallions of this sharpness only came around well into the 1800's.
Also worth noting, many masonic tokens bear the initials of the individual they were presented to. This is likely the case with the letters in the middle, at either side of the masonic cross.
As far as value, masonic items are highly collectible, and an unusual piece such as this may do anywhere between $10 and $50. The range is very wide due to a lack of comparable pieces on the market.
I hope this answer covers all your questions about this medallion.
Thanks for the question! =)

PS: Upon further research, I can confirm that the fonts used in the legends running around the perimeter are consistent with late 1800's pieces. The stylized font of the "IIIS" initials is also consistent with 1870's-1890's American craft-work. Although you mention this piece is made of tin, it actually does not look like tin at all. Something of this age and made of tin, if not recently cleaned, should have a dull and very dark patina. This looks more like "white metal", which is a zinc based alloy often used in late 1800's US made medallions. This would be fairly easily mistaken for tin by someone who is not specifically knowledgeable in the so-called "white metal". Your typical metallurgist is likely not a coin or medallion collector, so it's completely understandable that they are not familiar with the material. Rather than looking under high magnification, they simply need to conduct a specific gravity, density, or hardness test. A mineralogist or geologist would be best qualified for such a task.
Thanks again and best of luck!