1740 King George Copper?

[testing123]

Went to a nearby corn field to try my chances there. After a half hour or so, found a nice tombac button (not pictured). Not 5 minutes later the e-Trac signaled something that sounded a little bit like lead. Dug about 4 or 5 inches and out popped a coin! It's slightly larger than a nickel and I think it's some form of King George copper. Can anyone tell me the exact name? I don't have much knowledge on pre-1793 U.S. coins. Date looks to be 1740?

I want to try cleaning it, but there's some flaking on the edges so I'm deathly afraid to touch it any more. Any suggestions on cleaning? Or just leave it as-is?

Thanks and happy digging! This is my first 1700s coin!!!!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Probably a British half-penny. In the UK I've seen them throw these 1700s coppers in the bucket - I was quite shocked the first time I hunted there - here it's a wonderful find! I'd give it a hydrogen peroxide bath to clean it up. Congrats on finding a coin from the 1700's here in the States -- they don't get much older here! Should clean up and display well!

 

[Steve in PA]

Definitely a 1740 King George II. Congrats!!
Warm Hydrogen Peroxide, soft toothbrush or rub gently between the fingers, rinse with distilled water, then soft wax or vaseline to seal it. Alternative is just a dry soft toothbrush and leave it alone. With the patina flaking off you don't want to get too agressive. You don't want to lose the patina or you will lose detail on that coin.

 

[Iron Patch]

Drum roll please... It's called a British King George II Farthing!

 

[Steve in PA]

Drum roll please... It's called a British King George II Farthing!

Ahh yes....key words "slightly larger than a nickel" missed that

 

[Iron Patch]

Drum roll please... It's called a British King George II Farthing!

Ahh yes....key words "slightly larger than a nickel" missed that

Don't need it, halfpenny and Farthing are easy to tell apart.

 

[Steve in PA]

Drum roll please... It's called a British King George II Farthing!

Ahh yes....key words "slightly larger than a nickel" missed that

Don't need it, halfpenny and Farthing are easy to tell apart.

I have only dug a handful of farthings. But I have always noticed there is a lot of room for the date under Britannia compared to halfpennys. What else is different?

 

[{Sentinel}]

Hey, that's an AWESOME piece of history so don't worry about "what its worth in the U.K." Congrats on your first 1700s Coin! Great find!!

 

[MaineRelic]

Nice oldie ! Nice find Testing ! You have 1 for your own bucket now ! I would be estatic with that coin ! It will take a fair amount of scouting and hunting to beat the date ! good luck ! MaineRelic

 

[dfx willy]

pretty common year ! i have three. nice find for sure. willy

 

[steelheadwill]

Awesome old Copper! Congrats!!

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

The reason it sounded like lead is that it most likely has quite a bit of lead content, as do many counterfeit coppers. Lately all of mine have been falling in the "lead zone" which is usually somewhere between zinc pennies and Indian Heads.

Nice find! I have yet to dig a farthing!

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Nice farthing ! Should be a few more near that spot

 

[Kirk PA]

Anytime a Farthing pops out, you are having a good day.

Kirk

 

[Marc(NB)]

nice old coin,as far as cleaning it ,its a game of chance.I would leave it alone,you do see the date and thats what count!

 

[CRUSADER]

Probably a British half-penny. In the UK I've seen them throw these 1700s coppers in the bucket - I was quite shocked the first time I hunted there - here it's a wonderful find! I'd give it a hydrogen peroxide bath to clean it up. Congrats on finding a coin from the 1700's here in the States -- they don't get much older here! Should clean up and display well!

Hi Eric.
Your right many of us chuck it in a buckle to be recycled/sold but it is a matter of context. The more you find the less appeal it has. It would be like you collecting & keeping all your zinc pennies from the 1970s.
I do however, totally get why this is a good find in the US & should be enjoyed like we enjoy our various finds.
If you follow this site, you will see much older & I myself have been amazed at the amount of early 1600s & some 1500s finds that have turn up on the Eastern Coast

Testing123,
Big congrats on your first, it makes it a special find, its what detecting is all about (for me), along with many other aspects. I have my fav's, but a first can be any age or value for me & its special. So keep enjoying the thrill of the hunt & soon you will beat it again!

 

[testing123]

Re: 1740 King George II Farthing!

Thanks for the info and comments everyone! I think I'll leave it alone and not try cleaning it. Just seems like more harm will be done than good since the edges show flaking.

One item from my Top Ten Want List has now been checked off!

Just curious, what was the date range this design was minted?

HH all!

 

[Iron Patch]

Drum roll please... It's called a British King George II Farthing!

Ahh yes....key words "slightly larger than a nickel" missed that

Don't need it, halfpenny and Farthing are easy to tell apart.

I have only dug a handful of farthings. But I have always noticed there is a lot of room for the date under Britannia compared to halfpennys. What else is different?

Along with the spacing Britannia in general is different. If your only interest in British coins is because of detecting it's simply a case of not seeing the Farthing design enough for it to have sunk in your head. If you compare a couple of high grade ones you'll see the obvious difference, and after a few minutes probably be able to tell what is what, and in the future too.

 

[Colonial Copper Zeus]

A Farthing is more special when found in the states when compared to a Halfpenny. I found my first, a beautiful 1749 one this year. Keep up the good work.
chris