Any ID on this handmade coin/token

This was found by my father with a metal detector in Philippi West Virginia within the city limits. if it's relevant, Philippi was the location of the first land battle of the civil war.

 

Well, I know nothing about this, but the front looks like a pirate coin, they back Egyptian. Do you know what it is made of, have you tested it for silver?

 

What is the size? Is it magnetic (iron)? If not, it may be bronze.

The eye symbol is the Egyptian "eye of Horus".

Perhaps a token from some type of secret society of the period.

 

They're both symbols used by the Masons. I'd look there.

Debora

 

I'll find out if it's magnetic or not when I return home. It's just a little smaller than the circumstance of a quarter but a little thicker.

 

I emailed a freemason museum in Philadelphia early. I' expect it to be related to a secret society around the civil war era given the location it was found

 

That's what I thought, too, but I can find numerous references and images of the Mason's use of the "Eye of Providence" (with the eye on top of a pyramid) and discussions of its relationship to the eye of Horus, but so far no example of the use of the specific wedjat/eye of Horus motif.

The Odd Fellows also use the skull and crossbones, and the eye of providence.

 

Thank you. A gentleman at a freemason museum in Philadelphia responded the following "

Interesting artifact. There is nothing about it that is Masonic, except, however, the skull and crossbones is/was used by the Knights Templar (I’m referring here to the Masonic appendant body of that name, not the actual knights from, the crusades). Also, between about 1859 and 1915 there were about 400 new fraternal organizations that were founded all across the country, and they all had some sort of symbols. I will send this to a friend who is very active in the KT here in Philly, and see if figures in any part of their installation."

I can scratch the masons off the list I'll look into the oddfellows

 

I agree. Looks like a button.

 

I don't see a button. Firstly, it's double-sided. And secondly, there's no holes or shank that would allow it to be affixed. I would think a challenge coin.

Debora

 

There are a few place it looks like copper showing through or is that just a reflection? Copper would make sense ,since it would be easy to punch.

 

Have you shown it to someone at the county historical society?

Debora

 

I have not. I need to though. Another theory somebody told me was that during the early 1900s after the discovery king tut's tombs people all over were making replicas or Egyptian themes items. It was called Egyptomania.

 

Well, this is the place to start.

http://www.philippi.org/contact/

Debora

 

Swaged post as marked on photos.

 

Do you see any raised material around the iris? The nose appears to have been cross-hatched.

 

I emailed the historic society and ckjtacted the local museum, they were little to no help. I'm not surprised. I continue my search , but I'm with you on the challenge coin.

 

Not surprising but always the best place to start.

Debora

 

Have you tried posting on the Coin Talk forum?

https://www.cointalk.com/forums/