Civil War Token?

[adamcalvin12]

Found this token on an old site near a creek. Would like some help with the age and history of this piece. Any help would be appreciated.

[Tony Two-Cent]

Very interesting token!

Is it made out of lead? Or aluminum? Or something else?

[MangoAve]

http://www.thetokenstore.com/store.php/TheTokenStore/pd4595843/fort_wingate_new_mexicofort_duquesne_ut__troop_h_5 _cavalry_billiards_token

This was 5th cavalry fort trade token. Yours seems to be 1st (can't be any other ending with a t in the middle next to the hole...The hole was added there by drilling/shooting)

[MangoAve]

http://www.thetokenstore.com/store.php?seller=TheTokenStore&Tsearch=troop%20h&per=25&pd=153941

That was second platoon of second regiment in 1892. The first cavalry was in Missouri in 1846-1847 but guessing token closer to 1880s or 1890s. Could have been dropped by someone after being discharged and coming home to Missouri

[Full Metal Digger]

Looks like a typical military canteen store token for Co H of the 1st Cavalry! Great find. HH, Dave.

[adamcalvin12]

It is very lightweight. I want to aluminum but not 100% sure.

[Beartoe]

Would aluminum have been used for coins in the 1890s? Wasn't it pretty rare back then?

[del]

Would aluminum have been used for coins in the 1890s? Wasn't it pretty rare back then?

aluminum was a very valuable and expensive metal back before the late 1800's , so it is highly unlikely this token is Civil War era related . it is very likely its is associated with the military though .

[MangoAve]

There's no history of when aluminum was first used for coins but it was hard to produce before 1880. They did make stuff from it since 1835 but it wasn't widely used until after 1880. From the color of it and the oxidation I would say it is most likely aluminum. Obvi being from the US and from late 1800s/early 1900s that it wasn't a mystery metal. Lead and pewter are out bcuz you said it's lightweight. Most likely it's not a silver either.

[BTV Digger]

Fort Yellowstone trade token (http://tokencatalog.com/token_record_forms.php?action=DisplayTokenRecord&td_id=390058&inventory_id=389957&attribution_id=399862&td_create_uid=820). Could be from a range of years when the fort was in operation (~1890 to the 1910s). By 1916 the National Park Service was created and the officers either left, or became the first cadre of Natl Park Service rangers. Anyway, if you do a quick history search on the fort, the 1st cavalry was stationed there during 1886-1891, 1900-1902 and 1911-1914 so your token comes from one of those periods...which one perhaps too difficult to say. There are some references on the link I shared here so if you want to know more you may want check those out and/or contact. Thanks for sharing and a great piece of Americana for sure!

John

[BTV Digger]

Soooo...on doing a bit more research for ya...it looks like there's some conflicting evidence. Looks like the division stationed at Fort Yellowstone was Troop M/1st Cavalry whereas Troop H/1st Cavalry was stationed at Fort Assiniboine, MT (late 1800s period). The website link reference could be wrong then. Token shown is obviously yours, but from what location exactly may require a bit more digging. I'm leaning toward the Fort Assiniboine location. I leave the rest up to you! Hope that helps you out.

John

[adamcalvin12]

Soooo...on doing a bit more research for ya...it looks like there's some conflicting evidence. Looks like the division stationed at Fort Yellowstone was Troop M/1st Cavalry whereas Troop H/1st Cavalry was stationed at Fort Assiniboine, MT (late 1800s period). The website link reference could be wrong then. Token shown is obviously yours, but from what location exactly may require a bit more digging. I'm leaning toward the Fort Assiniboine location. I leave the rest up to you! Hope that helps you out.

John

Thanks so much. That is awesome.