101701 | UNITED STATES. Jack Dalton engraved silver WWI ID Badge or Memento.

101701  |  UNITED STATES & FRANCE. Jack Dalton engraved silver WWI ID Badge or Memento (18mm, 4.28 g, 12 h).

 

1898-1918 French franc, with engraving upon reverse: "Jack Dalton / ENLISTED / NOV 26–'17 / 507 • N • CORONADO • AVE / LOS ANGELES / CAL" in six lines; all within bamboo-like border. Edge: Reeded.

 

Cf. KM 844.1 (for host coin). Engraving: Near Extremely Fine. Pleasingly toned; Host Coin: Very Fine. Holed twice at top and bottom for wearing.

 

In the early-mid 20th century, during the depths of despair that were the world wars, engraved coin art in the vein of love tokens saw a great rise. Such forms of coin art, usually referred to in this context as "trench art," offered soldiers a brief chance at escapism through sentimental creativity.

 

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