Lynn H. asks:Â I’m trying to find out about a coin my father-in-law found in France during WW II. I think its bronze. Its larger than a quarter and very badly worn. On one side it looks like a representation of St. George spearing a dragon from horseback. On the other side it looks like a large ornate V with the date 17 on left side of V and 38 or 58 on the right. The top of the V seems to have a small crown. Its not perfectly round and the edge has a criss cross pattern like little X’s. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
It very well may be a jeton (counter). Though the St. George and the Dragon motif appears on coinage from Germany as well as from Britain, there are no copper coins with this design, only base metal tokens. It was typical to copy coinage designs for use as tokens. The date on these tokens usually refers to an historical event and not the year of minting.
Another use for these tokens or medals was as a “protection from harm” amulet. The St. George device is seen on the Silver Mansfield Talers (16th and 17th century) that became popular as an amulet to protect the wearer from harm in battle. It is interesting to note that medals with the St. George motif were issued to British Troops in WW I. The inscription on the reverse says, if memory serves: “You are a true son of Britain. St. George will protect you from harm”.
The subject of magic and coins is a rich one and is a good path to follow in your own research. Also, see Spiel Markes or play money.