Book Description

An excerpt from the beginning: TO the ordinary numismatist these tokens are almost a "terra incoquita." The Masonic collector may have a few specimens, but not many as members of the fraternity cherish these very highly, and seldom part with their own specimen. Again it is the custom of some chapters to refuse to exchange or supply anyone not a member of their chapter with specimens. The Mark Penny when received by a member of the fraternity is supposed to be inscribed with his own particular "mark," and as soon as selected placed on record, never to be changed, but to remain his "mark" until the day of his death. The mark is not a mere ornamental appendage of the degree but is a sacred token of the rites of friendship and brotherly love. Marks or pledges of this kind were of frequent use among the ancients under the name of ""tessera hospitilis"" and ""arrhabo." " The nature of the "tessera hospaltalis" cannot be better described than in the words of Scholiast on the Media of Euripides, v.613, where Jason promises Media on her parting from him to send her the symbols of hospitality which should procure her a kind reception in foreign countries. The writer will, as far as permissible endeavor to give the symbolic significance of the devices found on the pennies described, but will lay no claim to originality, simply arranging the matter taken from Masonic authors where ever found that will enlighten the subject. Freemasonry is a science which is engaged in the search after Divine Truth and which employs symbolism as the method of instruction. The ordinary or most common type of the Mark Penny is one having the obverse divided into three spaces by two circles. The inscription found in the outer space consisting of the name, number and location of the chapter; the middle space contains an inscription stating when the charter was granted and date, while the inner space or center contains the words "ONE PENNY" in two lines. The reverse of this type has a keystone bearing the letters H.T.W.S.S.T.K.S. arranged in a circle. These letters are supposed to represent the "mark" of our ancient Grand Master....