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Post by paul79 on Apr 2, 2011 6:19:39 GMT
Hello, I am currently studying the history of our local masonic chapter 12 in Mankato MN. I have a masonic penny (one of the keepsake type of coins that state "ONE PENNY" on the front and on the back have different symbols depending on the chapter. This coin is for the Chapter # 7 in Mankato MN and includes a symbol of a pair of scissors, which I am unable to find any information on. I have read through several historical documents for the Mankato Masonic Temple but have found no reference to the symbol or the coin. I believe the coin to be circa 1910 - 30. Primarily my question is regarding the symbol of the scissors. Can anyone tell me about the symbolism of scissors within the freemason society? Any information would be much appreciated. Attachments:
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Post by middlepillar on Apr 2, 2011 9:47:46 GMT
I am sorry Paul they are not scissors they are a Pick and a shovel. Depicting the sojourners journey 'He with the pick loosened the earth, he with the shovel cleared away the rubbish.'
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Post by sammy on Apr 2, 2011 15:01:35 GMT
ya id say a pick a shovel and a crowbar. Although scissors wouldnt suprise me with the old school sewing circles. I believe Goatrider had mentioned the eastern star women had done alot of sewing, and what I know of my great grandma wich was alot of sewing and who was also a eastern star member. On a side note, did anyone notice the letters inside the OES symbol spells "fatal"?
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Post by vajranagini on Apr 2, 2011 15:09:12 GMT
The Pick and Shovel refer to Royal Arch Freemasonry; I remember reading this in The Hiram Key, when Knight and Lomas were discussing the original Knights Templar and their nine-year sojourn in the desert digging away at the foundations of the old Temple.
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Post by billmcelligott on Apr 2, 2011 16:00:29 GMT
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Post by middlepillar on Apr 2, 2011 16:33:50 GMT
Ah! Yes Bill! Apologies Paul, most interesting.
Maybe because it is on a Mark Token, it may relate to a trade associated with that particular Mark Lodge?
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Post by sammy on Apr 2, 2011 20:13:31 GMT
Same, sorry for being hastey! I see it loud and clear now, infact the tape would be what some call " a tailor's tape". Wich is a cloth measuring tape used for measuring curves accurately, as well as rigid objects.
I would say it deffinately fits with the OES lifetsyle, atleast in early modern America.
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Post by sammy on Apr 2, 2011 20:25:20 GMT
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Post by jayman on Apr 2, 2011 21:49:38 GMT
it refers to the grand opening of KST when KS and KHT cut the ribbon so that all the guests of honor could enter the first apartment and check out the cool pillars at the porchway.
On the back of the coin is a picture depicting the inflatable gorilla that was tethered to the roof.
LOL
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Post by vajranagini on Apr 3, 2011 0:19:39 GMT
ya id say a pick a shovel and a crowbar. Although scissors wouldnt suprise me with the old school sewing circles. I believe Goatrider had mentioned the eastern star women had done alot of sewing, and what I know of my great grandma wich was alot of sewing and who was also a eastern star member. On a side note, did anyone notice the letters inside the OES symbol spells "fatal"? Actually, it spells 'laf at" as in "Let's get together tonight girls, and "Laf at" the men behind their backs..."-just kidding! Actually, I expect it has to do with the fact that organizations such as this would have been "manned" with the local legion of widows and maiden ladies.. ;D
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Post by vajranagini on Apr 3, 2011 0:28:17 GMT
All kidding aside, I would respectfully point out thatthe whole of the Royal Arch Degree hinges on the keystone, and that is what is depicted here; I submit that this is not in fact a penny as such but is in fact a Masonic token of the sort handed out as a token [sic] upon the successful completion of the Degree. I have seen the one belonging to my husband and it looks very "penny-like" except that it is larger than a penny (Canadian pennies were quite large at one time) and the symbols have been reduced to mere stylized squiggles. I can't quite remember all of the inscription, but it goes something like "H.T.W. sends to K.S.
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Post by jayman on Apr 3, 2011 1:33:33 GMT
All kidding aside, I would respectfully point out thatthe whole of the Royal Arch Degree hinges on the keystone, and that is what is depicted here; I submit that this is not in fact a penny as such but is in fact a Masonic token of the sort handed out as a token [sic] upon the successful completion of the Degree. It does? And this isn't a penny? Go ask your husband to get his stories straight when he chooses to break his obligations. Jeez. When a guy blabs his mouth to the wife, at least be accurate.
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Post by billmcelligott on Apr 3, 2011 11:23:16 GMT
OK, thats enough, respect is a two way street.
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Post by sammy on Apr 3, 2011 13:53:43 GMT
Not to be argumentative, but the "ribbon" has lines and numbers running along the bottom edge. Also the scissors are not open and are just lying ontop of the tape. I agree that I think its a token and not a form of currency. It could have been for alot of reasons back then. Coins were used as promotional items for certain events "mainly political". There is many of great value floating around. Usualy the pictures inscribed are depicting something about the event. A couple more observations. You all know of the square and its importance. You also know that masons arent a nudist colony. Clothes were close to home and usualy done by the wife "it was still this way when I was growing up... it was a small town". Then their outer applications being the tools they work with "pick, shovel, and crowbar". No comment on the urn, as I have no idea.
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Post by sammy on Apr 3, 2011 15:31:31 GMT
This is scissors ready to cut a measuring tape This is scissors ready to cut a ribbon. I also found this picture, the square is used in almost every craft (or was at one time).
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Post by sammy on Apr 3, 2011 15:47:21 GMT
Actualy now that I think about the urn there is wierd blobs of stuff flying into/outof it. If this was a sewing event I would probably say it was cotton going into the metal containers they stored it in. Just found this picture titled rare copper container. This one as well.
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Post by windtimber on Apr 4, 2011 0:46:33 GMT
Welcome, paul79. I see you joined yesterday. If you've been through the U.S. version of the Royal Arch the symbols on the coin should be readily understood. As noted in my private message to you, let us know what's on the other side of the coin. Be interesting to see if there's a Chapter named on the reverse...that might give a clue to the origin of the tape and scissors.
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Post by vajranagini on Apr 4, 2011 0:54:04 GMT
All kidding aside, I would respectfully point out thatthe whole of the Royal Arch Degree hinges on the keystone, and that is what is depicted here; I submit that this is not in fact a penny as such but is in fact a Masonic token of the sort handed out as a token [sic] upon the successful completion of the Degree. It does? And this isn't a penny? Go ask your husband to get his stories straight when he chooses to break his obligations. Jeez. When a guy blabs his mouth to the wife, at least be accurate. I take extreme exception to your (untrue) allegation that my husband "broke his obligations"; I in fact ALREADY KNEW all about this Masonic token and its particular significance BEFORE I even MET HIM. It was not HE who told me anything about it; when I found his token I didn't even have to ask him about it!
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Post by sammy on Apr 4, 2011 1:36:13 GMT
It does? And this isn't a penny? Go ask your husband to get his stories straight when he chooses to break his obligations. Jeez. When a guy blabs his mouth to the wife, at least be accurate. I take extreme exception to your (untrue) allegation that my husband "broke his obligations"; I in fact ALREADY KNEW all about this Masonic token and its particular significance BEFORE I even MET HIM. It was not HE who told me anything about it; when I found his token I didn't even have to ask him about it! Dont let the flood waters cripple your bridge. If your level and square you can face any element, for your foundation is the whole of the Earth.
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Post by vajranagini on Apr 5, 2011 4:02:13 GMT
Thank you, Sammy, for that bit of Masonic truth! I actually got tears in my eyes when I read what you said!
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