Coin with ship design and America

[mattdiver]

Found this coin years ago .I believe it is 18th Century as when found I could see date 177? It could be commemorative coin .There is an old ship design
and America written to the side .There is a figure of a man on the other side but not sure who. The coin is copper and has traces of silver gilding. Any ideas welcome. Thank you for looking

[Bramblefind]

Fantastic find! See here-

http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinText/Pitt.1.html

Yours is probably the one plated with tin?

1766 Large Planchet Pitt Token

Obverse: THE RESTORER . OF . COMMERCE 1766 : NO . STAMPS :
Reverse: THANKS TO THE . FRIENDS . OF . LIBERTY . AND . TRADE . / AMERICA

Weight: 66.8 g (4.33 grams) Diameter: 28.1 mm Reverse die alignment: 160°

Comments: This is a well worn example of a Pitt copper that was plated with tin.

http://www.coinquest.com/cgi-bin/cq/...&main_ct_id=90

In 1765, in order to pay for the French and Indian Wars, the British Parliament imposed a system of stamp tariffs on the American colonies. William Pitt, with strong backing in England, took up the colonists' cause and demanded a repeal of the Stamp Act. The work of Pitt and Benjamin Franklin led to its repeal in 1766.

Pitt tokens are commemoratives of sorts celebrating his success on behalf of the colonies. They are quite valuable.

Here is what the Red Book, the definitive guide for US coins, says about Pitt tokens:

worn: $250 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $1500
well preserved: $3000

These prices are for large sized tokens, about 28 mm in diameter. There is a small sized token about 23 mm in diameter and struck in brass which is quite rare. If you have a small one, multiply the values above by five.

Remember these are catalog values and subject to the de-valuing concepts presented on our Important Terminology page. Be sure to read that page (link at upper left) to convert the catalog values quoted here to actual buy and sell values.

Remember also that such coins are often counterfeited. If you would like to send a photo of your piece to CoinQuest, we can give you our opinion on authenticity, as well as possible next steps to validate and preserve the value of your coin.

[Mackaydon]

Fantastic find, indeed !!
And Welcome to Treasure Net !!
Based on seeing the 'dots' at the top of his wig, I'd say it's a half penny, as distinquished from the farthing that does not have 'dots' at the top of his wig.
Don.....

[Silver Searcher]

That's another nice find Matt

SS

[BuckleBoy]

That is a first rate find!

I hope you will repost this in Today's Finds for the enjoyment of all.


Cheers,

Buckleboy

[Iron Patch]

If you dug it in the UK that's probably a good thing because it would be a lot less likely to be a reproduction.