Did anyone find some Spanish Cobs or French coins in IA before.

[IAsoldier]

Hello I was just wondering if anyone in the Midwest ever found some Spanish silver or French to Colonial coins. I live in Iowa western part near the Missouri river by Omaha/CB area. About 4 years ago I got info. on some home steads near where I live at. Checked it out and found coins ranging from Spanish to US coins and a few maravedis but no French. I've heard of someone did in Des Moine area on the French but when and where no clue. I still have my Spanish cob w/hole and the Maravedis still. Dates range from late 1690's to early 1700's

[matzilla]

You might find more French coins on the other side of the state along the Mississippi and its tributaries in the area....eg the confluence of the Iowa and Cedar Rivers and then where they join the Mississippi. The French were in the Qaud Cities and there are some who believe that they were trading in the area of Louisa county.

After the Blackhawk purchase the whites who settled the lands from Des Moines to Scott county learned from the Sac and Fox that the French traded heavily in the area for some time.

Spanish coins in Iowa...that's unreal!

[Old Dog]

It doesn't surprise me so much,
Look at the area covered by the old maps of what was called New Spain.
The Spanish explorers were only true to their king while on Spanish soil.
If they went off on their own they were, Just that, ...on their own.

Spanish signs and trails have been found As far North as Manitoba Canada.

Congrats on your finds,
Take pix and show us a few.
Thom

[IAsoldier]

Well I still have a few coins left over just wish I had the rest. Remember this was back in Summer 2003 and I sold most of them. I going to make a trip back their sometime in the near future it was a great site to hunt. Also did find some early Colonial US type 1800's one 1/2 cent and few large cents with a square hole ( I do know they used to nail them up as good luck charms). PS whats the meaning of the holes on the cobs was it for to keep you money together on a string like they did back in the old days.
The 1 reale cob is a Postosi, Bolivia dated 1756 (just the 56 shows) and it has a hole in it. So that one I wear as a good luck charm. The others a countered stamped 2 and a 8 maravedis had lots of time to research them.

[Old Dog]

You may find early American coins as well that have holes.
My theory is that at one time they may have been given as tokens of love or remembrance.
(especially durring a war or a long absence)
these may have been worn around the neck just as you wear yours.

Thom

[matzilla]

They were worn around the neck for many reasons...one of the most simple being that most people in the 1800's, in this area, didn't have pockets or a "wallet"

[IAsoldier]

Thanks for answers everyone.

[Michigan Badger]

The subject of Spanish coins/cobs found on U.S. soil very much interests me.

I've been buying them for many years from various THers who actually dig them in this country.

The secret to finding them is research.

One man I know has been working the same site in southern California for several years and he has found thousands of Spanish cobs dating in the 1500's-1600's. He has also found some reales and gold coins. The site was obviously a cache location for the Spanish. I've heard they traded copper maravedis cobs for furs. I heard of at least one dug arrowhead hammered out of a cob. I've been told that the Indians saw copper as something of a sacred metal. It's interesting to note that the earliest Native Americans mined copper in northern Michigan and Wisconsin (ca. 2000-4000 B.C.). I own several of these pieces myself. They're called "Copper Culture" relics and they're getting very expensive.

I don't wish to write a book but a whole lot more is out there to dig than what we think.

[IAsoldier]

I so do agree on the history part I know Columbus got here 1492 but just wait and see maybe someone will find a Roman cache or Viking on our soil. I always wondered if someone did find something like that order but was covered up. Spanish I know they been around its not hard to sail a small ship up river and take a look see. Thats way I hunt for coins I just love history. PS got any pics of those copper arrow heads and such.

[vegas247]

Badger, Being half native American and Irish I have to wonder where your thesis comes from why and for what reason would if there were Europeans in the United states would someone COVER UP such a dark period of time in the killing and relocating of the Native Americans by Europeans? Seems like a stupid conspiracy theory that has no purpose? If this was was true It would not be revealed that you an i ancestors were likely of African or Asian decent? I don't know I'm not saying your wrong But I've heard a lot of less stupid thesis based on no science at all and the cover up has no purpose please explain since your basically denying a part of American history and a entire culture.