THIS IS A COAL MINE SCATTER TAG USED BY THE RED JACKET COAL COMPANY LOCATED AT RED JACKET WEST VIRGINIA.

DIAMETER  ABOUT 1 INCH 

SCATTER TAGS ARE TRADE NAMES FOR COAL COMPANIES THAT WERE "SCATTERED" INTO RAILROAD CARS AS COAL WAS BEING LOADED.  THIS WAS AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR COAL COMPANIES WHEN COAL WAS BEING BURNED BY THE RECEIVING CUSTOMER.

UNTIL ABOUT THE 1950-1960 ERA COAL WAS THE FUEL OF CHOICE FOR HOME HEATING AND COOKING.  ALSO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND INDUSTRIAL PLANTS HAD COAL AS THEIR FUEL CHOICE. THE GOAL FOR SCATTER TAGS WAS TO GET CUSTOMER LOYALTY TO USE THEIR COAL.

FOR MORE INFO ON SCATTER TAGS GO TO:  scripcollectors.org