Coin of dull gray nonferrous cast metal in an irregular shape, replicating a Spanish piece of eight. One side has a central cross dividing the space into quadrants, two filled with a rampant lion and two with a stylized castle. Opposite side has a pirate ship with skull and crossbones prominently emblazoned on one sail, while top sail has "PIRATES / LANCASTER / PA" in raised letters.
Produced under the auspices of the Pirates Club of Lancaster as an emblem of their men's club, likely a later rendition of the original produced c. 1948. See Notes.
Some wear and flattening on coin edge. Faces have some wear at salient points.
Object ID
2009.003.7
Notes
This coin is perhaps the one described below, or perhaps a later incarnation. The following is lifted from the history given on their website:
"A beautiful emblem of membership was suggested and adopted at a dinner meeting October 21, 1948, following a cruise to the United States Naval Base in Philadelphia. It is a sterling pocket piece – the piece-of-eight - and insures the distribution of plenty of booty. The reserve of this fine coin carries the H.S. Williamson in full sail. Her flag shows, “Pirates of Lancaster, PA.” the coin is an exact replica of a piece-of-eight “the last one left of 4,623 picked up off the Azores some years ago.” The emblems: skull and cross bones, crows nest compass, treasure map, cutlass, tri-cornered hat, Pirate chest and a bottle of rum."
A) Inkwell, square mold-blown leaded glass. Thick walls, sides molded with thick strands lazily undulating in a diagonal direction. Raised neck and deep well.
B) Stand is a cast brass tray shaped like a picture frame without center picture. Two projecting handles. All supported by four scroll-molded feet attached to bottom of tray corners with screws. Entire top surface is decorated profusely with mostly scrolling leafage.
Glass is very good with expected wear on bottom edges. Metal stand has darkened surfaces except for top area where glass inkwell fits. Spotty stains on top.
Miss Evans was one of the original members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution which was organized in Washington Oct. 11, 1890. (Lancaster New Era, Sat., May 8, 1943.
Miss Evans was a member of the D.A.R. having instituted the Donegal Chapter of Lancaster and the Witness Tree Chapter of Columbia and Marietta. She was No. 1 in the Pennsylvania Association and No. 41 in the Nation Association having joined the latter as a young girl. (Intelligencer Journal, Wed., May 5, 1943)
Miss Evans was one of the original members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution which was organized in Washington Oct. 11, 1890. (Lancaster New Era, Sat., May 8, 1943.
Miss Evans was a member of the D.A.R. having instituted the Donegal Chapter of Lancaster and the Witness Tree Chapter of Columbia and Marietta. She was No. 1 in the Pennsylvania Association and No. 41 in the Nation Association having joined the latter as a young girl. (Intelligencer Journal, Wed., May 5, 1943)
Miss Evans was one of the original members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution which was organized in Washington Oct. 11, 1890. (Lancaster New Era, Sat., May 8, 1943.
Miss Evans was a member of the D.A.R. having instituted the Donegal Chapter of Lancaster and the Witness Tree Chapter of Columbia and Marietta. She was No. 1 in the Pennsylvania Association and No. 41 in the Nation Association having joined the latter as a young girl. (Intelligencer Journal, Wed., May 5, 1943)
Small hardened steel padlock with set of 2 keys. Keys are marked, "Reese Padlock Co. Lancaster, PA USA" Body of padlock marked "REESE" and "U" arm marked "HARDENED" and "AMERICAN MADE".
Neck and upper bottle decorated in glass with a fluted collar that ends with a scalloped edge. On the side, enclosed in an oval, "Ideal Milk Products co. Lancaster, PA." On the other side "One pint liquid." On the base "A.B.C. 2 - Registered" On bottom, in big letters "LMP"
Provenance
Donor states that on Jan. 1, 1929, York Sanitary Milk Co., Lancaster Sanitary Milk Co. and Ideal Milk Products Co. combined to form Penn Dairies.
Left to right: D. L. Biemesderfer, Wayne Parmer, Elva Walter, Edith Walter, Helen Harter, James Martin, Ella Snavely and Christ Hostetter. All by Parmer and Hostetter were members of MSNS Class of 1917.
