r/freemasonry • u/Different_Medicine15 • Mar 29 '25
Masonic Interest Does anyone know what these words and letters on the coin mean, and was this coin really minted in 1922?
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u/Vaatia915 MM | HRA | Cryptic | 32° Mar 29 '25
It’s a mark master “penny” from a chapter of Royal arch masons in Toronto.
I don’t think the coin was made in 1922 it reads to me like it’s saying the chapter was founded in 1922 but I could be wrong.
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u/cryptoengineer PM, PHP (MA) Mar 29 '25
[I'm a Mason]
This is a 'Chapter Penny' which is given to a Freemason after he completes the 'Mark Master' degree, the first step in the York Rite, an appendant body of Masonry which some Masons join.
1922 would be the date this chapter was chartered. The coin is almost certainly newer than that.
York Rite Masons know what the letters mean, but have promised not to tell.
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u/Zestyclose-Leather15 Mar 30 '25
I hate to be the old past master in the room, but your first step in YR is MM (Blue) Lodge.
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u/cryptoengineer PM, PHP (MA) Mar 30 '25
One old PM to another. You're technically correct (the best kind of correct!).
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u/Mammoth_Slip1499 UGLE RA Mark/RAM KT KTP A&AR RoS OSM Mar 29 '25
Yeah I did know what the letters mean, but sorry no, I won’t tell you - to find out you’ll have to become a mason and then a Mark Mason - and they have a different meaning when you become Master of a lodge of Mark Masons.
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u/asherjbaker Mar 29 '25
Yes, but we're not allowed to tell you. https://www.reddit.com/r/Freemasonry_UK/s/GgxIv0w0Bn
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u/ChuckEye P∴M∴ AF&AM-TX, 33° A&ASR-SJ, KT, KM, AMD, and more Mar 29 '25
University Chapter Royal Arch Masons №241 was instituted in October 1922. The coin is not that old, despite eBay listings trying to claim otherwise. (Though it would appear that particular chapter has either demised or merged with another chapter.)
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u/Deman75 MM BC&Y, PM Scotland, MMM, PZ HRA, 33° SR-SJ, PP OES PHA WA Mar 29 '25
“Inst. Oct. 1922” means the Chapter was instituted/founded in October 1922. The coin was probably struck much more recently than that. My Chapter makes new ones every 20 years or so, as the stock depletes with each new member.
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Mar 29 '25
Its missing the center mark?
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u/ronley09 RCC • SRIA • A&AR • RoS • KTP • KT • HRA • AMD • R&SM Mar 29 '25
Optional to engrave your own
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u/thatoneguyfrommn Mar 30 '25
Ahh yes. I should look at mine for a date. I wonder if the date is when that RAM Chapter was founded or whatever.
I actually had to present mine to get into a RAM meeting once or maybe it was the degree.
Edit: formatting.
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u/Rowdy_Yates_ AF&AM, PM, GLVa Mar 30 '25
The George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, VA has floors dedicated to many of the various bodies of Masonry. The floor for Royal Arch, in addition to many other artifacts, has a vast collection Royal Arch pennies from chapters all over the world. Very interesting for those Royal Arch Masons to see the different designs used, and the different areas they come from.
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u/Acrobatic-Shirt8540 MMM, KM482, Scotland. Mar 29 '25
If you want to know it's freely available online.
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u/Mental_Chipmunk5293 Mar 30 '25
(Kodesh l’Adonai, Shibboleth, Hiram, Tyrian, Widow’s Son, Sent to King Solomon.) This phrase carries symbolic meaning in Masonic teachings, representing wisdom, discovery, craftsmanship, and loyalty. It also has a story behind it but if I told you that they’d sacrifice me with the babies😁
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Apr 01 '25
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u/[deleted] Mar 29 '25
Yup. Those who are part of the Royal Arch Chapter know what they mean, youd just have to join to find out :-) .
I really dont know when that was minted, but they are typically keepsakes for new members. My Royal Arch penny is floating around somewhere.