Just back from my gold rush '49er site- latest finds

[perdidogringo]

Hi All,

I just returned from my reliable gold rush '49er site. The place was a campground where many spent the night to and from California from 1848 to about 1855. We only had a couple of hours to search but my girlfriend and I made 5 decent discoveries. She had the find of the day- An 18k St. Christopher Patron Saint of travelers medallion! It has the 18k stamped on the back and then a hallmark symbol which looks like an arrow between a colon (see photo). Can anyone guess an origin from this hallmark? She also found an 1834 1/2 franc.

My first find was a French military button which looks like it dates from the early 1850s (You can clearly read the words "Paris" on the back as well as "T W & W"). On the front, you can barely make out what looks like a soldier with his head turned. My second was an 1848 Great Britain 2 pence (very nice condition) and this is the first English coin I've found at the site over the years. My 3rd decent find is an unidentifiable coin- I'm bummed but it's a little toasted and looks to be copper. I won't post a photo of this last coin since you really can't see any details on it.

If anyone can help out with the origin of the gold medallion, I'd really appreciate it.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[JackalopeZL1]

Right on!!! Excellent Finds.

 

[perdidogringo]

Just found this thread shedding some light on the button: Chile 1849 Paris TW & W Pattern Coin? - Coin Community Forum

 

[UnderMiner]

 

[Argentium]

The St. Christopher is a Nice find ! So are the other coins - The medal has a modern look , perhaps an internet search will nail it down for you ( I love the Vicky 2 P )

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[trapperart]

Nice finds congrats

 

[CRUSADER]

It's not just a twopence it's actually part of a set of 5 Maundy Money (1,2,3,4,5).
If you have not had of Maundy money or want to read more look here;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Maundy

 

[park pirate]

Awesome...

 

[perdidogringo]

It's not just a twopence it's actually part of a set of 5 Maundy Money (1,2,3,4,5).
If you have not had of Maundy money or want to read more look here;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Maundy

Thanks for the information, Crusader! That's really interesting- I had never heard of Maundy Money. Excuse my ignorance, but how can you tell a MM 2 pence from a normal 2 pence?

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks for the information, Crusader! That's really interesting- I had never heard of Maundy Money. Excuse my ignorance, but how can you tell a MM 2 pence from a normal 2 pence?

They are all MM in this period, although they were legal tender & were often spent because they were so poor. (maybe holding back one, often holed & worn as pendants)

 

[metalev4]

The medal is really nice! Great recoveries

 

[Geochem]

I call those real treasures once waiting to be found. Great finds!

 

[Carolina Tom]

Killer finds.

18K and old silver coins. NICE!

 

[perdidogringo]

Thanks everyone for the kind words and feedback on the finds! Now just trying to match the hallmark on the back of the gold medallion.

 

[detectahead]

Great finds!

 

[Tommy G]

Great finds! Given the nature of the site, no doubt these won't be the last! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the nice finds!

 

[Doc Arey]

Congrats great saves !

 

[Doc Arey]

Congrats great saves <img title="icon_thumleft" class="inlineimg" alt="" src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif" border="0" smilieid="275">!