Whats Its

Found this thing today hunting an area that has produced IHP's, V and Buff nickels,seated dimes, mercs and Barber halves - So as you might imagine, when this dirt encrusted disc of metal came out of the ground today, I had quite a jolt of hope.
Experience has taught me to keep those hopes grounded, so it didn't last but a second, and as I rubbed the dirt off, it was apparent this is no coin.
Thought at first it was a big old button, but it is 'weigh' to heavy for that ... As you might be able to see from the pic, it has a "5" on it, so my guess is this was to an old weight set or something.
Still, a curious design for a weight piece, with the hollow crossed center.
Also found the remains of an old key, which fell apart even further as I tried to clean it off a bit.

[Arkwater]

Did you weigh it? 5 grams or oz maybe?

No, I'm too lazy tonight to take it to my scale or take my scale to it, but I would bet it weighs 5 sumthin'

[Bentfork]

That's a hem weight for a coat.

Gary

[FXDiz]

There was another post with an identical picture and it was determined that it was a weight used for skirts, coats and other articles of clothing, sewn into the hem. As Bentfork said.

[Carol K]

Yep, it's a skirt weight. Ladies sewed it in their skirts to keep the wind from blowing them up. We have found many in the water too. They might have used them in the swimming skirts, and they could have also used them for fishing weights back then, early 1900's.

Looks like you found a good spot.

[simonthesearcher]

Originally Posted by Carol K

Yep, it's a skirt weight. Ladies sewed it in their skirts to keep the wind from blowing them up. We have found many in the water too. They might have used them in the swimming skirts, and they could have also used them for fishing weights back then, early 1900's.

Looks like you found a good spot.

Thats what it is Carol.Lucky they dont use em anymore ,i just love those windy days

[Paul M.]

I've seen 'em used in the corners of curtains, too.

[ToddB64]

Actually, they are drapery weights : www.textol.com/d_items.asp?cat=04

Todd

[GUTHRUM]

Yes Hem or drapery weight.

The key could be for a clockwork toy.

[Kerry]

The key is from a clock. I have one identical to it that winds up my grandmother's mantle clock.