Expert: PAPAJACK - 4/15/2007

Question
QUESTION: hi there.. i hope you can give me some info on a strange quarter i have found... on one side it has an eagle with a sheildon it's chest.. holding 3 arrows in one claw and wheat in the other.. the words "United States of America"are around the top and on the bottom it has "Quar. Dol." there is no date on it.. but from the look of the eagle design it seems to be something from early 1800's or so.. (i'm not too sure)there is also no letters marking a mint site from which it came from.. on the back is where it's a bit strange..it is very decorated with swirls and there is a blue trim along the edge... in the center the is a capital letter "D" in an old english type lettering and that is also in blue.. if you can please give me any info on this coin that would be great thanks!
ANSWER: Hello Lori,          

I need a bit more information on the design you have.
Are you sure there is there any date on the coin?  
Could it have worn away?
With no date it is likely a reproduction or silver round.
an actual coin weighed from 6.2grams to 6.68 grams and was 24.3 mm in diameter.

There were no U.S.A. coins that have " blue trim along the edge " as you describe. Nor could I find one with the letter D in the middle.
Is there any way to send me an image of your piece?
If it is a U.S. Quarter Dollar it is silver and dates between 1838 and 1891 if it has "Quar. Dol." on it.
This would be the Seated Liberty Quarter design, there were 3 kinds made, below is a URL to look at he front and back of the coin to compare with your specimen.
TYPE 1:
http://www.coinfacts.com/quarter_dollars/seated_liberty_quarters/1841o_quarter_d
http://www.coinfacts.com/quarter_dollars/seated_liberty_quarters/1841o_quarter_d
TYPE 2:
http://www.coinfacts.com/quarter_dollars/seated_liberty_quarters/1853_quarter_do
http://www.coinfacts.com/quarter_dollars/seated_liberty_quarters/1853_quarter_do
TYPE 3:
http://www.coinfacts.com/quarter_dollars/seated_liberty_quarters/1880_quarter_do
http://www.coinfacts.com/quarter_dollars/seated_liberty_quarters/1880_quarter_do

I look forward to having you write me back and let me know the difference on your piece.

Please remember to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for responding.. i have looked at the images on the links you sent and the eagle closest resembling my eagle is the first one.. 1841..but on the image i looked at had an "O" stamped above the words "quar. dol." my coin does not have a mint mark on it..and there is no date on it as for it would have been on the other side where the liberty would have been and now that blue letter "D" is. someone else did tell me last night that it sounded like a "love token" from the Victorian era. I was told that they usually are dimes but can be found in all denominations.. after looking at it again there seems to have been something sottered to the eagle side as if it was a pin at one time making me think that is what it could be.. do you have any info on "love tokens" and are colored ones more rare?

Answer
Hello Lori,     

What you describe may well be a fantasy piece or as you found a Love Token, without seeing it I cant be sure. You can usually tell if a coin design is engraved or the design is stamped by the mint.
There was no mint mark letter on the coins made at the Philadelphia mint. If it is an altered coin it  is not what coin collectors are after. They want coins as issued by the mint.

Some people made coins into love tokens by engraving their initials and giving it to someone as a keepsake. This was more commonly done with silver coins as yours But nickels and large cents as well.
Through the years couples people have chosen a variety of different trinkets and charms as tokens of love or luck to express their best wishes or affection to someone special in their lives. Some of the more popular were thimbles, pin cushions, rings, and carved spoons. During the Victorian period the ever popular valentine card was introduced. This period also marked the peak of popularity for using engraved coins as love tokens.

Love Tokens such as the examples above are coins that were taken from circulation and engraved with something special on them. They are referred to as love tokens because most were made for a special occasion and presented to the receiver as a gesture of love and / or affection. They were most popular here in the United States during the period commencing shortly after the civil war until the early 1890's.  

Love tokens in the form of coins were a keepsake between two people wanting to remember each other or some occasion.

They might have a hole drilled or a loop soldered on each part to be worn on a necklace or charm bracelet, watch fob  etc. or just be a pocket piece to hold or rub for luck.

There could be other coins too. But look into love tokens if your are more interested in this type of collectable.

Take a look at this page

http://www.geocities.com/lovetokensociety/

Be sure to check the links at the bottom for some very elaborately engraved coins.

As a fantasy piece it has no value except as a novelty item. Sorry if this is not what you expected.
Below are some sites I use to give examples to others.

http://www.treasurehunting.tv/archived_treasure_hunting/2006/07/what_is_a_love_t
http://www.kenbarr.com/lovetokens.html

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/sentimentaljourney/item/575x281x29?yc=1
http://www.rarecoin.com/collect/tokens.html

I hope this information helps.  Please remember to rate this answer. Feel free to ask any question on US Coins.

Good Luck

PapaJack