Blown away... Night hunt yields coin circa 1586-1635!!!

[bb_in_maine]

I am a bit at a loss for words. My good friend and I got out in the woods tonight for a night hunt, the woods were glowing orange from his Coleman lantern... We found ourselves on an old road unexpectedly, which I headed up while he worked it slowly... I came to a ridge and decided that it might have been a nice picnic spot back in the day, as you would have been able to see water in the distance back when it was cleared... About 50 feet along the ridge I got an iffy tone that settled around 72 - thought I might have an Indian. When it came out of the soil I saw it was flat, and flipped it over expecting to see a button shank, and then there wasn't one. I called my friend over and he held up the lantern and blew the dirt off it... and we saw the design... It just *felt* old. We dug a few more items up there, and then headed home after taking in a few landmarks. Well, just ran the coin under water, no scrubbing, and was trying to make out the writing while my friend was researching online... He calls out, "Hey, is this it?' And there was the design on screen... a jetton (merchant coinage) from the mid 1500's. Holy S$#*!!! After looking at more images online, this same design is found from the 1500's through the 1600's, and I believe even into the early 1700's. So I have no perfect match yet on the lettering, and no date... but one thing is for sure - It's OLD. Very hopeful to get an ID - so fortunate it's in good shape. A similar coin to look up online is the Nuremberg Rose/Orb jetton of Hans Krauwinckel II, struck 1586-1635. Unfortunately the other side would be very helpful but it is hard to get anything off... I just simply cannot believe I dug this way out in the middle of the woods, at night... It truly felt like finding treasure. I may never dig a more interesting, or older item in my life... who knows... But for now, here is the photo - It has certainly blown my mind, hopefully you'll all feel it worthy as well... Happy hunting to all... BB

[bb_in_maine]

Found it!! Lettering a 100% match! ( GOTES SEGEN MACHT REICH ) Rose and Orb jetton of Nuremburg Master Hans Krauwinckel II, c.1586-1635 http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/493843

[BetterThanFishin]

Wow wow wow etc...!

That is an experience I hope to have some day also.

Congratulations man.

[crusader234]

Very very nice!

[dogpound]

WOW thats a very cool find, i'd love ta find something that old

[Rattlehead]

Awesome find!

[SeabeeRon]

Not going to find many older than that Stateside!!

[kireta]

SeabeeRon was spot on, I dont believe I have seen anything that old in the States, Crazy cool find.

[Massdigr]

Now that is neat!

[Terry Soloman]

:yeah: Congratulations!!!

[bb_in_maine]

I am still still just absolutely stunned at digging this coin, especially here in Maine. Here is a new pic of the jetton next to a dime - I have been keeping it in the soil in which it was found to keep the patina from drying and flaking... ANy recommends on preservation? Olive oil yes or no? My friend's wife has translated the German motto - 'God's blessing makes you rich...' Very appropriate... Thanks all...

[PhotoRob06]

Wow, that's just insane! It must have already been an antique when dropped by some colonist judging from the hole in it, I would think. I don't think I've seen an older coin found in the states; you may have a record there.

Big congrats!

[Thatsit]

congrats on your incredible find......nice diggin!

[Sonny b]

Speechless................. Big big big congratulations!!

[lisfisher]

Wow , amazing find! Nice to know there is some hope for finding a coin that old right here in the states

[CTCurt]

Awesome find, congrats......Curt

[Milhaus]

That is incredible! Congrats! Can't do better than 400 years in N. America. Curiosity got the better of me so I had to take a look, here is a bit more info
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/nurembe..._Guild_Masters

HEVT RODT MORGEN TODTT - Today red, tomorrow dead

It goes on to explain what many of these were used for, as exchequer pieces for calculating transaction amounts because at this time "the decimal system and Arabic numerals were not in use". It's easy to forget how much we really needed the Renaissance.

[bb_in_maine]

Originally Posted by Milhaus

That is incredible! Congrats! Can't do better than 400 years in N. America. Curiosity got the better of me so I had to take a look, here is a bit more info
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/nurembe..._Guild_Masters

HEVT RODT MORGEN TODTT - Today red, tomorrow dead

It goes on to explain what many of these were used for, as exchequer pieces for calculating transaction amounts because at this time "the decimal system and Arabic numerals were not in use". It's easy to forget how much we really needed the Renaissance.

Thanks Milhaus and thanks all... FYI here is a forum thread that is also very informative... http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/ind...?topic=13211.0

[zeemang]

WOWSA, sweet find... I guess you never know where and when you'll hit the OLDIES....

[trsrseeker]

Congratulations!