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."
Sand Painting Dedicated to Chaplain/Colonel Christian H. Martin, Jr.
Description
Sand Paintings for the late Colonel & Chaplain, Christian H. Martin, Jr, presented for service in the Air Force.
Within in circular bands of gold and white, 3 stars form a triangle around an eagle perched on a a blue-green shield depicting both a cross on the left and a magen david/Star of David atop two tablets on the right. Colors: teal, blue, white, brown, silver, yellow, black
Some of what is written in ink on the back: "Presented by/ Kirtland AFB/ Chapel Family/ May 1982"...USAF Chaplaincy Seal or Emblem. Until 1940, Army Chaplains were in the Army Air Corps; 1940-47, the Army Air Force until 1947. Dept. of Defense started and we were USAF. Chaplain ? Martin."
"This--very special--done with N.M. sand & given to me at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, near Trinity site (!) 1st A-Bomb detonation."
Provenance
Donated by Chaplain/Colonel Christian Hess Martin Jr., USAF Retired, son of LCHS officer and worker.
Framed first-day issue of the 3 cent Conestoga Wagon stamp. dated Feb. 29, 1988.
10.5 x 9.5 large replica of stamp framed by orange mat with 4 pairs of actual stamps cancelled in Conestoga, PA on February 29, 1988. Brass plaque, bottom center, reads: "Presented to / Lancaster County Historical Society/ by/ Lancaster MSC Manager/Postmaster/ Larry McClain/ in gratitude for your assistance/ in the Conestoga Wagon Stamp/ first day of issue ceremony"
