Ron-

You are indeed correct. Rich Harzog of Exonoumia.com I.D.'d it for me as a Civil War token. My reading of the lettering is an example of how the over-eager mind can misread partially obliterated letters. The actual token bore a patriotic slogan: "IF ANYBODY ATTEMPT TO TEAR IT DOWN*" with the inner circle bearing "SHOOT HIM*ON THE SPOT*" and inside a second circle, "DIX." Just a coin used for a shooting contest, as you say. Darn. It was such a good story, too!

Marty

>>> [log in to unmask] 11/30/05 4:02 AM >>>
I hate to disagree with you on the novelty idea, but when in my high school  
school rifle team all the guys tried to shoot the center of a U.S. penny with  
our .22 target rifles to have a token of our skill. I have several with the  
lead-smudged hold slightly off center. My bet is this was a trophy shot from a 
 competition.
 
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.