Looped Holed

This column lists the number of so called dollars from the "Grand Total" column that were found with holes or loops. Following each number is a designation in parentheses specifying whether or not the pieces were found looped or holed. In some cases there are two different designations for the same listing, separated by a slash(/). These pieces were found both ways, with the first designation found to be the more common. Also, there are four different designations for looped pieces:

• L = Loop: This includes any kind of loop excluding the three that follow. Some of the ways these pieces were described in sales catalogs were "looped as made", "looped as struck", "added on loop", "integral loop", "attached loop", "loop removed", "single loop" etc. I would have liked to have divided these looped pieces into those that were looped was made, and those that had loops added on later, but determining which was which from auction listing descriptions was not always possible. It is sometimes hard to say anyway even if you are able to inspect a piece up close; and just what does "looped as made" mean anyway? Often times it is obvious that the loops were made as an integral part of the original casting or planchet prior to striking, but other times this could supposedly mean a loop that was professionally added on soon after striking.
• C = Clamped On Loop: These are less common loops that are described as being a "clamp type loop", "clamped on loop", "clasped loop", or "clasp removed". These loops are held on by prongs that are curled around the edge and rim of the medal. When these types of loops are removed they leave small indentations on each side of the medal next to the rim.
• F = Fob Loop: These are a much broader loop, sometimes referred to as a "watch fob". Occasionally these were added on sometime after the medal was made, but the vast majority were made as a part of the original casting or planchet prior to striking.
• 2L = Two Loops: These are pieces that have two loops on the edge, usually located at the 11:00 and 1:00 positions. The loops are usually, but not always, made as a part of the original planchet prior to striking.

• HK4 WM....9(H): A total of nine were found, all nine of which were holed. None were found looped.
• HK11 WM....12(H): Of 23 found, 12 were holed. No pieces were found looped.
• HK24 BZ....12(H/C): Of 21 found, 12 were found with either holes or clamped on loops, with most found with holes. None were found with integral, soldered loops, or loops as made. None were found with 2 loops.
• HK401 gt....4(L/F): Of 115 found, 4 were either looped or fob looped. None were found holed. None were found with clamped loops. None were found with two loops.

Looped and holed pieces often have or had at one time various attached ribbons and pin-bars. At the present time I am making no attempt to describe what was or was not attached.