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Obverse Design
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All lettering is incused.
In the upper circle, starting at the left and curving along the edge clockwise
are the words "ENGINEERING AND". In the lower circle, starting on the upper
left and curving along the edge counterclockwise are the words "CONSTRUCTION
DEPARTMENT". In the middle in larger letters in the upper circle is "I.C.C.".
In the lower circle is "385" (the employee number).
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Reverse Design
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Blank.
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Metal
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Brass
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Size and Shape
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This metal check has what is perhaps the most unusual shape of all the metal
checks. It is in a figure eight, where each circle has a diameter of
approximately 33 mm. The overall height is approximately 61 mm. There is one
small round hole in the top.
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Dates Issued
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Unknown. These may have been id checks locally made and issued before the
Diamond shaped Isthmian Canal Commission checks (which were issued starting in
August 1905), or they may have been tool checks issued anytime between 1904 and
1914.
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Issurer
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Isthmian Canal Commission, Engineering and Construction Department.
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Numbers Issued
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Pieces include #385 and #392.
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Rarity
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Very Rare.
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Manufacturer
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Unknown, but perhaps locally made.
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Source
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Hamlin's ICC-43, Rulau's CZ E74.
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Varieties
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None known.
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Function
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These may have been early employee id checks, before the general issuing of
metal checks in August, 1905. They may also have been tool checks, or even
used to track other equipment. I would appreciate
e-mail from anyone who can add anything to the history of these metal checks.
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Population Count
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Known specimens are as follows:
- Check #385 - Eugene Hamlin Collection; listed by Rulau.
- Check #392 - Carl Fogarty Collection (not verified by any images).
This check is said to have belonged to J.C. Forman who worked for
the ICC and Panama Canal Company from 1905 to the 1930's.
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