Coin and Paper Money Collecting/bunker hill token

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Expert: - 4/28/2010


Question

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Hi.  I came across an old coin/token commemorating the Centennial of the battle of Bunker Hill.  I can't find another one anywhere online so I'm stumped as to whether I have a rare gem or something worthless.  The front says "battle of bunker hill" and shows a battle scene with the date of the battle, 1775.  The other side says "centennial anniversary" and has an 1875 date.  I would appreciate any information you can give me about this thing!  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Luke:

Thanks for the question.

It looks like you may have what is called a "So Called Dollar". I believe I found your item. It is identified as an early medal commemorating an 1840 "Ladies fair" organized to help raise money to complete the Bunker Hill monument.  See link: http://www.socalleddollar.com/acRegionalExpos.html
It is listed as "Very to Extremely Rare". I have no idea as to value. Your piece looks like a loop may have been added to the top to hang on a chain.

You may want to contact the owner of the site at: http://www.socalleddollar.com/AboutEmail.html

Check ebay listings under BUNKER HILL MONUMENT items to see if your item is listed and what it is going for.

If you live close to a coin shop, they should offer you an opinion as to what you have and it's value at no charge. Hope this helps.

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.  

Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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