Description
LOOKS LIKE A COIN, BUT AT THE TOP IT HAS AN ATTACHMENT WITH A HOLE IN IT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A NECKLACE OR A KEYRING. ON ONE SIDE IT HAS A PICTURE OF THE SS CATALINA WITH SS CATALINA WRITTEN UNDERNEATH. ON THE OTHER SIDE IT HAS A PICTURE ( RAISED ETCHING) OF CASINO CATALINA WITH CASINO CATALINA WRITTEN UNDERNEATH ALL OF THESE ARE RAISED LETTERS AND THE PICTURES ARE RAISED. IT LOOKS TO BE MADE OUT OF BRASS. I HAVE RESEACHED THIS AND KNOW THAT IN WW II THE SS CATALINA AND 2 OTHER SHIPS WERE USED TO FERRY THE SOLDIERS. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS WHERE IT CAME FROM OR IF IT WAS EARLIER OR LATER.
Re: SS CATALINA AND CASINO CATALINA KEYRING
I can't find any exactly similar, but I think it's a watch fob. It would be hard to put a value on it without knowing the metal content for sure, I would suggest that you take it to a local pawn shop or jeweler and have them do an acid test to make sure it's not gold, and if it is gold the weight of the item will be important as well, if it's not gold it is probably only worth about $5-10, but if it is gold it would be worth substantially more...
Re: SS CATALINA AND CASINO CATALINA KEYRING
If it isn't marked it's unlikely it's gold. Gold will be marked to indicate the precious metal content,eg. "18K", "14k", "10K". Based on the history below it could date to as early as 1929 when the Catalina Casino was built. here's a link to the history of the SS Catalina:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Catalina
"The Catalina Casino has been the focal point of Santa Catalina Island entertainment and culture since it opened over eighty years ago on May 29, 1929. For nearly three generations, the Catalina Casino has been the venue of choice for great entertainers, Broadway productions, and first-run motion pictures."
As for value, I'd estimate about $35.00.