What are the chances a 1959 Alaskan came with an aluminum coin?
The reason I ask is the bow was sold to me as a 1959 Alaskan (it was sold to the seller as a 1959 Alaskan also, so the info was just passed on to me). BowDoc's thread on restoration inspired me to give it a try, as although the bow is solid and shoots well, it came with numerous unsightly stress cracks on the back. Along with lots of stress, the bow came with a cracked and checked original finish that made the black fiberglass look kind-of a faded black-gray composite. Along with some uneven fading on the riser because of a tape-on something or other, it is time for new finish.
Anyway, back to the original question. The coin in the bow is aluminum, but was glued in sideways rather than the normal way. The original either fell out, was lost, and replaced with the aluminum coin (put back in sideways), or it is the original that popped out and was glued back in sideways. I have read that the Alaskan for 1959, 1960 and 1961 were the same, but aluminum was used for the coin in 1960 and 1961.
Is there any way to tell the 1959, '60 and '61 Alaskan apart other than the coin?
Kind of a long winded question, but I appreciate any advice from those who have been doing this much longer than me.
RonP
My understanding is you can't date em by the coin,
but I've been wrong before.
Kurt
I just sold a 59 Alaskan {maybe a 60) and it has an aluminum coin with yellowed finish on top so I'm betting it is the original coin.
Trap
My '59 Alaskan had the aluminum coin as well.
Only the '59 and '60 Alaskans had the black and orange glass and the dual shelf. I can't remember the '61 Alaskan too well right now, but I'm certain it was different than the "Halloween" bows. I'll check at home tonight if no one beats me to it.