In your most recent (terrific, as usual!) E-sylum, you mentioned that Mr. Tom Kays has a contemporary counterfeit U.S. $20 gold that was made into a spur. I collect contemporary counterfeits. Would you ask him to forward an image of it to me sometime?

This object was dug about six years ago near Petersburg, VA. It is a brass counterfeit double eagle weighing 7.8 grams. The style is pre-civil war "Twenty D", no motto, with milled edge. It has some wear and was center holed and crudely (angrily?) hand cut into a spur rowel - perhaps by someone who was out twenty dollars!

I find no alternative lettering as expected on a spielmark, yet that is a possibility that I cannot rule out as it seems shallowly struck, but of good die work. I’d feel better that it was meant to deceive, if it had gilt or leaf remaining, or if it were heavy, approximating proper gold weight. It has good dug patina and moderate porosity that would be hard to fake regarding age.

I think it is a neat relic and was probably Civil War camp made. The obverse is nearly obliterated but the reverse center at the eagle’s head and stars are clear. Pictures are of reverse, obverse, edge.