Help with old coin
- Thread starter ksdiver
- Start date
Jeff R
Elite Member
Where did you dig it? (state)
And how deep was it?
It may be easyer to identify if you put a quarter next to it in the pic.
And how deep was it?
It may be easyer to identify if you put a quarter next to it in the pic.
Jeff R
Elite Member
ksdiver
Full Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2006
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- 137
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your input!
I also noticed the arch at the base of the neck and although you can't see it in the pics I attached, I can make out the "X" just to the lower right.
The back side is almost totally illegible - but I can see a number "7" near the bottom.
Not sure about the hole - a friend of mine said the Indians used to drill holes in coins and wear them as charms/jewelry.
Thank you for your input!
I also noticed the arch at the base of the neck and although you can't see it in the pics I attached, I can make out the "X" just to the lower right.
The back side is almost totally illegible - but I can see a number "7" near the bottom.
Not sure about the hole - a friend of mine said the Indians used to drill holes in coins and wear them as charms/jewelry.
If it is a George II British halfpenny, it's in the worst condition I've ever seen. The English used really good copper
and none that we have ever found in the ground or even in the riverbank are as bad as this.
I would say it is a counterfeit. The thinness and the uneven edges are a giveaway.
But that doesn't make it valueless, it makes it unique.
and none that we have ever found in the ground or even in the riverbank are as bad as this.
I would say it is a counterfeit. The thinness and the uneven edges are a giveaway.
But that doesn't make it valueless, it makes it unique.
Jeff R
Elite Member
Hummm
Very good point Carol. Us colonist were notorious for making our own. Especialy those 1/2 pennys. One of mine is probably a counterfit, because it is out-of-round.
ksdiver, Carol has an excellent point there. And value??? Well when I found my first one I nearly dropped dead. But came around quick when I found what it's worth. 10 bucks or less :o(
Oh well. Nice find anyhow!
Very good point Carol. Us colonist were notorious for making our own. Especialy those 1/2 pennys. One of mine is probably a counterfit, because it is out-of-round.
ksdiver, Carol has an excellent point there. And value??? Well when I found my first one I nearly dropped dead. But came around quick when I found what it's worth. 10 bucks or less :o(
Oh well. Nice find anyhow!
Well, I live in Pennsylvania too, and almost all of them I have seen come out of the ground look like that. We must have some nasty soil or acid rain or something. Most of the counterfeits are of the George III variety, but there are some George II, but in that condition there is no way to tell.
WThesing
Elite Member
Hey Ksdiver, where abouts ya call home? Sounds like we're close by.
ksdiver
Full Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2006
- Messages
- 137
Interesting, I never considered the coin would be a counterfeit. It is in very poor shape - the soil around this area is really hard on coins.
I've been told that the fertilizer farmers use in the fields will really cause them to degrade.
Thanks again for all the input!
WThesing,
I live in Motgomery County, but do most of my detecting where I grew up in Chester County - where do you reside in the south east?
I've been told that the fertilizer farmers use in the fields will really cause them to degrade.
Thanks again for all the input!
WThesing,
I live in Motgomery County, but do most of my detecting where I grew up in Chester County - where do you reside in the south east?
Diver, it does look like a George II (1727-1760) copper halfpenny. If so the diameter should be 28-30mm. Two head designs were used in, the first by Croker and the latter by Tanner. This head looks like a Tanner version which was used between 1740 and 1754.
Fertilizer will cause the damage especially if the soil is acid.
For anyone who has similar coins the shoulder decoration gives the clue. With the early coin it curves SLIGHTLY down. The later arches upwards.
Fertilizer will cause the damage especially if the soil is acid.
For anyone who has similar coins the shoulder decoration gives the clue. With the early coin it curves SLIGHTLY down. The later arches upwards.
