WW1 Commemorative medallion?

[Danemark1]

Hi folks - just wanted to ask about a medallion(?) that I found today. I have researched the man named on the medallion and he was part of the 32nd Red Arrow Division coming out of Kenosha, Wisconsin - a hard hitting group of men for sure. He was killed in action in 1918. Now the town I found this in had a WW1 reunion during July 1924 (they expected over 600 veterans to attend). I found this medallion in the general area of that celebration - though now covered with older homes. I have researched the soldier and I am taking steps to speak with his closest relative (actually lives near me). The question I have is, has anyone ever saw one of these before? It is aluminum and looks well stamped. I was wondering if a group like GAR may have produced them or if it was somehow a Wisconsin based thing. I could see no makers mark on the back. Thanks.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

First off : Great sleuthing work. And to answer your question, those are made at carnivals where the person would put in his dime (or quarter or whatever), and type into the machine whatever-he/she wants to be imprinted on the token. And in your case, he types enough qualifying info. that you can actually do a Sherlock Holmes repatriation. Nice job ! Let us know how it goes.

 

[Danemark1]

Hey Tom, it felt odd really to hold this person's name on something, considering he died in action and is now buried in France. It sounded like he was killed by machine gun fire in a surreal hellscape really. I think just bringing one of the many forgotten people to light is what this hobby is all about. Funny thing, some 500 feet away I found a WW2 dog tag that belonged to by friend's dad. He spent 4 days on Hill 700 - crazy what these guys went through. Worked with him at the papermill. Feel a bit humbled knowing now what he went through back then. Guys like my dad, that went through WW2 never spoke of it- but the stories. True heroes.

 

[BuckHill]

Very cool find and great research, well done.

 

[Xxray]

I remember those stamping machines when I was a kid in the early 70's and at that time were considered relics of a bygone era, not sure how long they have been around but my guess is its more from the 50's or 60's, could be wrong - They only stamped 1 side so there is never anything on the reverse.
Pretty distinctive name but of course there might have been more than 1 from different generations, just thinking out loud. I'd research how long aluminum blank stampers have been around, or widely used by the public, then you'd know that could be the right guy. Then too, he might have had it stamped when he was in his 60's in the 1950's, really not alot to go on to nail it down.

 

[stetam]

Yeah I have found a lot of these. Always interesting what is imprinted on them.

Steve

 

[Danemark1]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. Reading in Wikipedia it appears aluminum tokens started post 1890. So they appear to have been around for a long time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Token...st always date,redeemable for a specific item.

Here is an example of a Lucky Star token from 1920's.

 

[stetam]

Post WW2

Steve

 

[Planedoc]

I remember these at tourist traps along our cross country vacation back in 69 or 70. Check out this link: http://antiquewhs.com/feature2007/feature-April07.htm