Mysteries from the Vault: H.R.C. Clock Token

With close to a million objects in the American Numismatic Society’s collections, the curatorial team occasionally comes across items that are mysteries to us. This series will feature some of these objects in the hopes that the collective wisdom of our readers can help us to identify and learn more about them.

ANS, 1952.110.51

With one of our older mysteries recently solved, it seemed to be time for a new one!

This token is 26 mm in diameter and weighs 4.19 grams, with a die axis of 12. One side has a  table top still-life scene wreathed by Roman clock numbers; the other is embossed with the initials H.R.C. and the number 99. It was purchased by the American Numismatic Society as part of a lot of 200 tokens from Schindler’s Antique Shop of Charleston, South Carolina. Click to enlarge the images if you need a closer look.

Have an idea about what this might be? Let us know in the comments or send us an email.