1781 "NORTH AMERICAN TOKEN"

Rick (Nova Scotia)

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I went back to a spot I got a few buttons at earlier this year, and I pull out this coin (just adjacent to that spot, about the third target) Just a quick rub reveales the date 1781...I see Britiania...so thinking british or irish...............but no match ?? Turns out to be a "NORTH AMERICAN TOKEN" and the pictures are as field taken...no cleaning....I'm thinking this coin is a couple hundred dollars ?? there are none for sale on ebay ??

LINK Coin Value | US North American Token 1781

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Well your the only Canadian I've seen come up with one of those.

In that condition probably not much more than $20-$30. If it cleans up good maybe up to $40 or a bit better. They have to be very nice to get up in the $200 range. (I sold a real nice one for $150 maybe a year and a half ago - non dug of course)
 

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Well your the only Canadian I've seen come up with one of those.

In that condition probably not much more than $20-$30. If it cleans up good maybe up to $40 or a bit better. They have to be very nice to get up in the $200 range. (I sold a real nice one for $150 maybe a year and a half ago - non dug of course)

I'll take your word for it. But still way better than the most...being about a buck or two...if your lucky.
 

Wow, Rick! Nice find!

Interesting...

Hibernia is the Latin name for the island of Ireland, and a personification of Hibernia, a woman and harp, is often used on old coinage that was minted in Ireland and circulated in the New World. The North American Token is one such coin.

Professional numismatists (coin collectors) believe the 1781 date is bogus, favoring actual mintage in Dublin between 1810 and 1830 and backdated to evade Canadian importation laws. These pieces circulated mostly near the Canadian border.
 

Super cool find! Interesting history!
 

I'll take your word for it. But still way better than the most...being about a buck or two...if your lucky.


To me it would be about the bragging rights on that one and not so much the cash value. Even though it is a bit better than the typical early copper it's still not rare enough for buyers to drop much on a dug one because there's always a better one for sale just around the corner.
 

To me it would be about the bragging rights on that one and not so much the cash value. Even though it is a bit better than the typical early copper it's still not rare enough for buyers to drop much on a dug one because there's always a better one for sale just around the corner.

OK that's good enough for me...The only one you know of dug in canada.
I'm a fairly serious collector and do understand the corroded, worn out crap we mostly dig is worth....well, NOT MUCH. That being said still much better to dig than another NS piece. (unless a 1382 error date, or similar)
 

OK that's good enough for me...The only one you know of dug in canada.
I'm a fairly serious collector and do understand the corroded, worn out crap we mostly dig is worth....well, NOT MUCH. That being said still much better to dig than another NS piece. (unless a 1382 error date, or similar)


This should prove my point, or maybe prove I might have valued your coin too high! (I always do add a little extra when it's a find though) :)


Look how nice this one is for $45.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commerce-No...=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
 

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Rick,

Regardless of value, you just don't see them dug. That is a neat addition to you copper collection, and it looks to be in nice condition for a dug copper.
 

That's a nice one Rick!

Nice to see a different one show up once and a while.
btw IP I'm pretty sure I saw one Cladman's finds once upon a time, but that was many moons ago
But yeah they never show up
 

That's a nice one Rick!

Nice to see a different one show up once and a while.
btw IP I'm pretty sure I saw one Cladman's finds once upon a time, but that was many moons ago
But yeah they never show up


I'd bet it was a Kyan and Camac and not a North American... but you never know. Once upon a time both would have seemed pretty much the same to us, and unless it was beautiful, it would have been just been thrown in with the rest.
 

Very nice!! It is nice to dig somthing a little different once in a while:icon_thumleft: I dug an 1812 TIFFIN Token the other day.

VPR
 

I think it's beautiful. you don't see stuff like that where I live
 

Really nice find Rick, a great addition to your collection.:headbang:

It's all about the hunt.
ZDD
 

Very nice!! It is nice to dig somthing a little different once in a while:icon_thumleft: I dug an 1812 TIFFIN Token the other day.

VPR

Yes I remember seeing your recentTiffin.

And thanks it is nice to get something different. Glad it is not toasted too, like about 2/3rds are this year.
 

very nice token !! :icon_thumleft:
 

Cleaned Pics added.

The edge has corrosion, which is a good indicator to be careful, so I was, and maybe a bit unorthadox too in method. Anyway I can see all the legend on the one side anyway. The other side is not so good.
 

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Looks great, and as good as you could have made it. The remaining dirt highlights it well.
 

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