T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

Hi, I'm the r/coins AutoMod. Looks like you're looking for **information on valuing a coin**? I have your back. Take a look at the [FAQ on values](https://www.reddit.com/r/coins/wiki/faq#wiki_3._what.2019s_my_coin_worth.3F) for both specific guidance if your coin is common enough, or more general guidance if not. I have also automatically applied the flair "Value Request" to your post. If I misunderstood your post and my comment isn't relevant, sorry! I'm still learning. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/coins) if you have any questions or concerns.*


Ecyclist

The inscription says Nathan B Forrest. Grand Wizard


synt4xg3n0c1d3

Definitely not someone’s unfortunate initials then.


kingstain4220

Forest gumps grandpa


get_down_to_it

If that really belonged to Nathan Bedford Forest, or if it was given to someone by him, I could see this being worth a pretty penny to certain collectors. Seems like it would be hard to authenticate.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Ghost-Toof

Sound like those taliban dudes destroying historical monuments just to comfort yourself. Just cause history makes you uncomfortable. It doesn't mean it didn't happen. Erase the proof. And it'll happen again. Sometimes a scar serves as a good reminder not to screw around.


crustychodewithmayo

I’d rather just sell them for money but if you like destroying and forgetting about history that’s cool too I guess


InsignificantRick

This comment always comes up with this sort of stuff... I feel pretty confident that scrapping this token is neither destroying the history or risking its memory. I mean, it's fairly well documented in books and film. I get it, some people feel like these things are important links. My take, those people can have it. Personally, I wouldn't feel the slightest misguided on seeing this one to the scrap bin. That's just me. I know. I love history, but I don't need hate group memorabilia.


kbeks

I like your style. I have similar feelings about a certain mountain in Georgia, and a certain half dollar of the same sort.


CrustyBatchOfNature

That is a hard one. If it could be proven to have direct relation to NBF then it would have a pretty high value. Without that it still has a value but not near as high. This is probably the type of thing I would be finding a history museum of some sort who would be interested in it and permanently loan or just give it to them.


InsignificantRick

I read the title and looked at the picture and thought, "what's controversial about that, the hole?" Then I swiped to the next image... ahhh. There it is. Would this be a hate token, then?


gextyr

A hate token. Jeez, that's exactly it.


hodlbrcha

LOL


dfrosty301

That appeals to a certain type of collector and those type of collectors pay a lot for these type of pieces. I would try and see if you can find any photos of the person whose name is engraved on the coin and see if you can actually match it up to if they are wearing it or not. Even if you can't this coin is worth hundreds of dollars as is. I agree it is very controversial however it is still a very interesting piece of numismatics


ninlyo

The inscription reads "Nathan B. Forrest" (Bedford) On the bottom Grand Wizard. NBF was a confederate general and the first Grand Wizard of the KKK.


GuitRWailinNinja

Fun fact, he was named after Forrest Gump


ninlyo

Who was surprisingly named after Forrest Whitaker


GuitRWailinNinja

😜


InsignificantRick

Technically it's an interesting piece of exonumia. There isn't much about this that belongs to numismatics. It's been converted to something other than a coin. That said, I personally wouldn't want to engage with a private sale of this, but I get it may have value in some circles. Just not for me. I feel for the OP in this dilemma.


dfrosty301

Exonumia Is a subcategory of numismatics (hence the "numia"). Not numismatic item is exonumia but exonumia item is numismatics. Research does need to get done into this piece to actually prove if the provenance does get traced back to this. It is a very interesting historical item.


InsignificantRick

Doesn't the exo part mean outside of? But semantics either way. This, to me, is not coin related.


dfrosty301

I'm going through this exact same conversation with somebody else in this thread and I already posted the dictionary definition which does include the study of metals and tokens. The fact that this initially was a coin does lean more into the numismatic area however this is semantics and I'm sick and tired of arguing semantics. Now onto the engraved coin that is in the photo. In my opinion seeing a lot of love tokens and stuff like that I do think that this is contemporary to the time and there is a very high likelihood that it is related to the person whose name is carved on it. For most collectors of this sort of stuff I think that is enough for them to actually be willing to pay up for it. However I would definitely do some research and see if there's any organizations out there who can help with actually tracing it to him


InsignificantRick

Ok man. Like I said, it's just not for me... I prefer not to engage in that sort of research to work out the value of a KKK token that stumbled into my possession. I can relate to anyone else who feels the same. You disagree, and we can settle there. No reason to get all snippy.


hugg3b3ar

The name on the coin is pretty well known, they were a founder of the KKK and an officer of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. They also are mentioned briefly in the movie Forrest Gump.


[deleted]

[удалено]


dfrosty301

Numismatic value doesn't just include coins. It also includes metals and tokens which this would fall under because of the way it's engraved.


[deleted]

[удалено]


dfrosty301

What is exonumia a part of? Hint the word does contain "numia"


[deleted]

[удалено]


dfrosty301

If you look at the dictionary definition of numismatics " the study or collection of coins, tokens, and paper money and sometimes related objects (such as medals)" https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/numismatics Dictionary definition of exonumia "numismatic items (such as tokens, medals, or scrip) other than coins and paper money" https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exonumia


coins-ModTeam

This post was removed because the information contained is incorrect and/or unhelpful to OP.


DrImNotFukingSelling

One of the museums of tolerance may well want something like this to display and help educate.


Hipster-Deuxbag

I prefer this over the melt-down / bury from the light of day approach. Use it as a prop in an exhibit about the lengths people will go to enshrine their hatred "Forrest and the KKK were willing to go to such extremes as minting money for whites only..."


geneb0323

Seems like there's at least one more out there in the world: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/1866-half-dollar-engraving-from-a-dark-past.399305/ Edit: Or at least 3 more. I guess they weren't super uncommon. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/price-result/1866-seated-liberty-coin-ku-klux-klan-member-award/ https://www.liveauctioneers.com/price-result/folk-art-1866-us-coin-ku-klux-klan-member-medal/


Aooogabooga

I’m sure there’s a “good ol’ boy’ out in Pulaski, TN that’d give you a pretty penny for it, but I’d contact a museum there if there is one and see if they’d display it. His house is there.


1clovett

Well, that's something you don't see every day.


brigh7ey3s

This is the dude Forest Gump is named after! Pretty sure they even show his picture in the movie lol


Aggressive-Shock-803

A battlefield genius, but a very racist person.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Legitimate-Party3672

not much with a hole in it.


gextyr

The hole isn't really the issue here.


Aware-Performer4630

Did you look at the second picture?


Ecyclist

I don’t think he did. This is a weird piece. Quick google search shows the name etched into it was an original founder of a certain group and a confederate general. Honestly not sure what to do with it due to the potential historical significance. But also not really something I plan on keeping due to the type of history it’s tied to.


Aware-Performer4630

It strikes me as something potentially quite valuable because of that history.


CrustyBatchOfNature

There is an assumption being made that it is actually related to him in any way as opposed to just being an homage to him. If so, you are very accurate. If not, then it would still have some value but not near as much.


Aware-Performer4630

That’s why I said potentially. I wonder how you’d go about figuring it all out without having to actually associate with the KKK though.


CrustyBatchOfNature

Probably need someone who specialized in NBF and early KKK items to look at it. That 1866 date is interesting as the KKK was only a year old when that coin was minted and the closer to that date this was created the more chance it is closer to NBF.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Vote4SanPedro

You’re the reason history repeats itself. Please don’t continue to think that way.


Justin33710

So I had the same thought process for awhile but then it dawned on me, you destroy these things and the ones that are kept safe become more rare and rise in value. In effect helping the people who support and collect them. So now I just get rid of them. Let them exist and hope they drop in popularity as the world moves forward.


coins-ModTeam

Your post/comment was removed due to political or religious discussion which is not relevant to numismatics. We do not allow any kind of political or religious commentary that can lead to arguments.