strange prototype coin found in Hampshire ,Co.,MA.

[manhanmud13]

found an old field ,that borders the connecticut river .is the same size and weight as a connecticut colonial copper .1 side has the initials L.H. PLUMB clearly struck into the coin .the other side has a series of french style designs ,or anglo saxon designs.sym metrically arranged as such ,4 flowers ,like the french royal flowers.2 castles & 2 lions in a diagonal pattern from top to bottom .in the middle is a circular face like the face you see on the grave stones from 1700 to 1750 .the face is
smiling .it almost looks like a barter chip ,or a parlor chip for gambling,or made by some blacksmith type when coinage was low ,for local trade.it looks to be a hammer struck and made of copper or brass. does anybody have any information about this piece that I found ?

[Bramblefind]

That is a really interesting find

The "face" might be distorted to look that way (?) The image design looks like a Spanish maravedis reverse.



And L.H. Plumb is listed as a known Merchant's countermark-

http://www.exonumia.com/art/cmd.htm

[Mackaydon]

Manhanmub: Welcome to Treasure Net !!

That same name is found on countermarked, counterstamped coins as indicated in this alpha list:
http://www.exonumia.com/art/cmd.htm
Don....
Edit: Bramblefind, you beat me to it by 36 seconds ! I'll have to learn to type faster. BTW, nice ID on the maravedis, I agree.

[Broken knee]

Good ID, Bramblefind and Mackaydon Interesting coin for sure how many years did they use that design? I see it from late 1700's to 1855. Is there any way to find out who the merchant was or where he was located? Nice coin Glen, HH
Broken Knee

[Mackaydon]

Broken knee,
You may wish to contact the source referenced above for more information.
Don.....