I recently excavated the site of a blacksmith shop that operated from the early 19th century until 1904, where we found a token that appears to be for target shooting. It is about the size of a penny, made of brass or copper, and has a .38 caliber bullet hole dead center. There is an embossed ring somewhat larger than the hole with the word "shoot" visible inside it. Inside the rim is a partial inscription "...bo...attempt to shoot it down..." I assume this was flipped into the air as a flying target, and if the shooter could hit it inside the inner ring or circle, he or she would win a prize. No writing is visible on the reverse, either because of corrosion or because it is absent.

Does anyone out there have any information about this type of token? It does not seem to be mentioned on any of the token sites.

Marty Pickands
New York State Museum