I purchased this token in Florida. It is copper, has a diameter of 19 millimeters and weighs 2.63 grams. Can you give me some information on it?

Bob Snavely

Johnstown, Pa.

Coin World’s “Readers Ask” does not authenticate numismatic items. Ultimately, the piece in question will need to be examined by a specialist to determine if it is genuine. However, “Readers Ask” can provide some background information on similar pieces.

The item in question appears to be a “game counter” or “play money,” similar to a type originally produced in the 1860s.

The pieces were minted by Ludwig Christian Lauer of Nuremberg, Germany.

According to Medallic Portraits of Washington by Russell Rulau and George Fuld, the portrait of George Washington on the obverse of the counter was “taken from a print by Giuseppe Longhi, the Italian engraver, executed in 1817 from his own sketch — a combination of the [John] Trumball and [Gilbert] Stuart heads — through an extremely close copy engraved by G.G. Felsing in 1824, while a student under Longhi.”

The Rulau/Fuld book states that Lauer produced two basic types of counter obverses bearing the Washington bust design: On the Type I obverse, Washington’s bust is “not truncated, but extends to the border [of the counter].” On the Type II style, Washington’s bust is truncated and does not reach the border of the counter.

If Mr. Snavely’s piece is authentic, his would be Type I.

In addition to the two types, these pieces have different compositions, edges, reverses and diameters — all resulting in varying degrees of rarity, ranging from Rarity 1 (common) to R-9 (two to four pieces known).

Some Type I counters have a copper composition, in addition to brass and gilt bronze.

The 19-millimeter diameter of the piece in question also falls within the specifications for the Type I pieces.

The Latin legend on the reverse, IN UNITATE FORTITUDO, translates to “strength in unity.” Some counters feature the legend SPIELMARKE or SPIEL MARKE (“game counter”) on the reverse. Mr. Snavely’s piece says SPIEL MÜNZE (“play coin” or “play money”). Both legends are used on Type I pieces.

The eagle on the reverse of some Type I pieces has a shield covering its breast, while some do not; Mr. Snavely’s piece does not feature a shield.

His piece also appears to show evidence of die breaks, especially on the reverse, that may aid an expert in determining the classification and rarity of this piece.

Coin World’s Readers Ask department does not accept coins or other items for examination without prior permission from staff member Erik Martin. Readers Ask also does not examine error or variety coins. Materials sent to Readers Ask without prior permission will be returned unexamined. Please address all Readers Ask inquiries to emartin@coinworld.com or call 800-673-8311, Ext. 274.