Uncovering the Past: Memoirs of Token and Medal Finds in Metal Detecting
Tokens and Medals: A Memoir of Metal Detecting
Metal detecting is a fascinating hobby that has been around for centuries. It involves using a metal detector to search for buried objects, such as coins, jewelry, and relics from the past. For many metal detectorists, the most exciting finds are tokens and medals.
Tokens and medals are small pieces of metal that were often used as currency or commemorative items in the past. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be made from different materials such as copper, brass, silver, or gold. These small treasures offer a glimpse into history and provide valuable insights into the cultures that produced them.
As an avid metal detectorist myself, I have had my fair share of memorable token and medal finds over the years. In this memoir-style post, I will share some of these experiences with you.
The first token find that comes to mind was one I found on a beach in Cape Cod several years ago. It was a small brass disc about the size of a dime with an image of a horse on one side and letters on the other side spelling out “Good for One Ride.” After doing some research online, I discovered it was likely from an old carousel ride at Paragon Park amusement park which operated in Nantasket Beach until 1984.
I was thrilled to learn more about this piece’s history but even more excited when I realized how rare it was – finding anything related to Paragon Park is very difficult since there is little left after its destruction by fire almost four decades ago. This discovery sparked my interest in collecting vintage tokens related to amusement parks throughout America’s history.
Another memorable token find happened while exploring an old abandoned house near my hometown in upstate New York. Using my trusty metal detector outside where there once stood a barn; I got several strong signals indicating something metallic hidden away beneath layers upon layers of earth.
After digging down through thick layers of dirt, I uncovered a small rusty metal box that once contained a collection of tokens and medals. It was clear the previous owner had been collecting them for years, as there were dozens within this container! After spending some time researching each piece individually online, I discovered they were from all over the US and dated back decades ago.
The most notable among these tokens was one from The World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893. This particular token featured an image of Columbus on one side with “1492-1892” inscribed below him and “World’s Columbian Exposition Chicago” on the other side. These types of pieces are highly sought after by collectors and can be quite valuable.
One more exciting memory comes to mind when I found an interesting-looking medal while detecting along a riverbank near my home. At first glance, it appeared to be nothing special – simply a small silver disc with decorative symbols etched into its surface.
However, upon further inspection, I noticed some faint lettering around the edge which read “Loyal Temperance Legion.” This intrigued me since temperance societies were popular throughout America during the late 19th century advocating against alcohol consumption.
After conducting some research online using old archives such as newspapers, books written about prohibition history or even personal diaries or journals by people who lived through this era’s events; I learned that this medal was likely issued as part of membership to Loyal Temperance Legion chapters across America at that time.
It is fascinating how much we can learn about our past through uncovering just a few simple items left behind by those before us!
While many may consider finding coins or jewelry to be the ultimate prize when metal detecting – discovering tokens and medals often holds greater historical significance for collectors like myself.
These small treasures offer a glimpse into our past – providing insights into forgotten cultures and traditions that have long since disappeared but still resonate today. Through my own experiences, I have come to appreciate the significance of these small pieces of metal and how much they can teach us about our history.