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."
Mental Health Month Proclamation signing. Seated left to right: Frank S. Beal, Secretary of Public Welfare; Governor Milsto J. Shapp; Mrs. Nancy Thompson, Lancaster County Mental Health Association. Standing, left to right: Morgan L. West, Lancaster County Mental Health Association; Robert Haigh, acting deputy commissioner for mental health DPW; James Harris, MD, Deputy Secretary for Mental Helath, DPW; Mrs. Patricia McGrath, Central Pennsylvania Vice President, PA Mental Health, Inc.
Mental Health Month Proclamation signing. Seated left to right: Frank S. Beal, Secretary of Public Welfare; Governor Milsto J. Shapp; Mrs. Nancy Thompson, Lancaster County Mental Health Association. Standing, left to right: Morgan L. West, Lancaster County Mental Health Association; Robert Haigh, acting deputy commissioner for mental health DPW; James Harris, MD, Deputy Secretary for Mental Helath, DPW; Mrs. Patricia McGrath, Central Pennsylvania Vice President, PA Mental Health, Inc.
1949 Officers of Lancaster Livestock Exchange Convention. Bill Bixler, secretary; Walter M. Dunlap, treasurer; Jacob P. Warfel, vice president; John M. Hoober, president. 1949 Officers of National Livestock Exchange. W. P. Dolan, treasurer, South St. Paul; Christ E. Mentzer, senior vice president, Omaha; H. R. Park, secretary, Chicago; Rogers E. George, president, South St. Paul. The National Livestock Exchange was held in Lancaster in May of 1949.
Framed cigar tax stamps circa 1898. Blue paper with black engraved design. Top stamp is a counterfeit (1898). Bottom is believed to be authentic stamp circa 1883 and is marked "Engraved and Printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing"
Made famous in the Jacobs - Kendig counterfeiting case.
