1787 Nova Eborac Copper and a Phoenix Button

[Silver Tree Chaser]

This coin won’t win any contest for eye appeal or best preserved find, but I believe that any fan of early colonial coppers will appreciate this 1787 Nova Eborac copper. It was issued by New York (or Nova Eborac in Latin). The date is not visible, but this copper only had a one year run. Some other coppers issued by New York are quite rare. Nova Eborac coppers are not rare, although they are scarce. This does not translate to much value for this coin, especially due to the its poor condition, but that’s alright with me. I figured I would post it up on T-Net, as I don’t recall many posts for Nova Eborac coppers.





Surprisingly, I just found this coin at the same site that produced the George Washington Inaugural button that I had posted around fall of last year. I refer to the site as my GWI button site, but I might also refer this area as the Triple Nova Site. It’s produced 13 coppers including a Nova Constellatio copper, a Nova Caesarea (New Jersey) copper, and now a Nova Eborac copper – Triple Nova! It also gave up a Fugio, along with King George coppers and early US large cents. I never had a site to work that’s produced such a wide variety of coppers. So what’s next? I’d gladly take a Higley copper or Chain Cent. Who knows? A little wishful thinking won’t do me any harm.

Ephraim Brasher, who minted the famous Brasher doubloons, produced the Nova Eborac coppers as well. The letter punches used in making the Nova Eborac copper are identical to the punches used on the Brasher doubloon.



I also found a 27th Regiment Phoenix button only 12 feet from where I dug the Nova Eborac copper. These buttons were produced for the uniforms of the army of King Christophe of Haiti. Each button carries the French motto "Je Renais de Med Cendres" (I am reborn from my ashes) encircling a Phoenix with spread wings over a nest of fire and a regiment number. King Christophe committed suicide just before his govererment was overthrown in 1820. Conventional wisdom from all the scholars out there claimed that a huge quantity of these buttons were sent to the far west of the United States for use as trade goods, yet I’ve seen a a few found by detectorists in New England. I’m sure other are being found back along the East Coast and elsewhere.

Good Hunting to All!

 

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[49r Relics]

Congrats on a couple really rare finds. There are individuals who keep track of where Phoenix buttons are found as it is fascinating to track them through history as most made it to the shores of the NW USA through the Hudson Bay Trading Co. I assume you are on the East Coast so even more rare to find one all the way across the USA. Also, quite collectible ;-)

 

[Ahab8]

I love seeing your posts buddy. The finds are sleays top notch and I love that you take the time to fully explain the history we are looking at. That copper is one that we very rarely see posted. And I love that button. Great history as well. That's a dream site for sure. I hope that chain cent is hiding in the dirt for you buddy

 

[hogge]

I like the copper! Button is great. Congrats....Hogge

 

[Loco-Digger]

Dude you are in an awesome area, I take it you are on the East Coast. Love those finds, especially that old copper. I am certain that you will swing your coil over a Higley copper or Chain Cent someday. I like reading your posts, you certainly know what your talking about.

 

[CRUSADER]

We see quite a few copies of that button, so its nice to see the real deal - CONGRATS. Also as you say not to many of that coin either which at least has enough detail for a good ID. You must be happy.

 

[against the wind]

Lots of excellent information. I know where to go for information when I finally find some identifiable early colonial coins, lol.
Great saves.

 

[Old Dude]

Since it is in much better condition than either colonial I've found ( and I was happy as could be ), I think it is beautiful. The rarity of posts here with that coin makes it even more attractive. Thanks for the info included.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Some great finds there Jim. I can't believe the incredible assortment of coppers that have come from this one site. That should bode well for a few more to eventually pop out. Congrats, and nice job on the Phoenix button too.

 

[digging440yrs]

Awesome finds !

 

[Scrappy]

Great Nova Eborac. And no, we don't see them on here often. Seldom and rarely are two words that comes to mind actually. Great copper and I hope you find more. Aaaaaand, that Phoenix is phenomenal! ...buttons...sigh

Steve

 

[SirWalterRaleigh]

man i love old buttons. something about them just really appeals to me. great job on the old copper find too

 

[Silver Tree Chaser]

Congrats on a couple really rare finds. There are individuals who keep track of where Phoenix buttons are found as it is fascinating to track them through history as most made it to the shores of the NW USA through the Hudson Bay Trading Co. I assume you are on the East Coast so even more rare to find one all the way across the USA. Also, quite collectible ;-)

49r Relics — Thanks for the compliments, and yes, I’m on the East Coast — Rhode Island to be exact. For a button dating back to the early 1800's, it really got in a lot of time traveling — Made in England for use in Haiti, it was instead brought to the Pacific Northwest for use by an American trade. The buttons were then apparently bought up by the British Hudson Bay Company. They became popular trade items with Indians, particularly along the lower Columbia River in Oregon. How this button and a few others found in New England made it across the US to the far East Coast is anyone’s guess. They initially came to the West Coast by ship. That button has done some traveling!

 

[Silver Tree Chaser]

Some great finds there Jim. I can't believe the incredible assortment of coppers that have come from this one site. That should bode well for a few more to eventually pop out. Congrats, and nice job on the Phoenix button too.

Thanks Bill - I appreciate the words of support. That site gave some real insight on the surprising amount of finds that sadly often remain just beyond the grasp of a detectorist when searching cellar holes. The cellar hole at this site produced only two coppers and little else over several hunts. Then the site got bulldozed, and I went on to recover a dozen early coppers, buttons (including a GWI button), and so much more. The site was graded and seeded late last fall, and I've given it a whole year for the grass to grow in and take root. The owner has given me permission to start searching again. I got the New York copper, the Phoenix button, and little else on my first return trip (nearly a two hour hunt). I covered about 5% on this first return trip. I may grid the entire area and search it all over again.

 

[HCW]

I can't even remember if it was a Button, I know I found something with the exact image and of the same time period and patina as your phoenix button though.
I'm pretty sure it was a button though. I'm in Mass. I didn't know anything about it until now.

 

[Eastcoasthunter21]

Love the old coppers Your on a nice site relax hit it sloooow.

 

[romeo-1]

Those are some great finds and that copper is in phenomenal condition!

 

[Chestdiesel]

Awesome finds!! Sounds like a great site!?! I also got a Nova Eborac this year. I think it's just really cool to have a coin minted by EB. Anyways, thanks for sharing. HH

 

[doninbrewster]

Color me jealous. I have a beautiful Nova Eborac, but not one I found with my metal detector. They are rare coming out of the ground. Really nice going and a nice coin!

 

[pepperj]

It'd be nice to dig an old copper that was only produced for one year as it makes for an easier ID and puts the rarity up there for getting one out of the ground. Liking the button and it refreshed the memory somewhat of reading about them years ago and the Hudson Bay Company bringing them into the Pacific Northwest region of the lower Columbia River system, I just wished that the upper Columbia system had produced finds like this quality button. It must be a good feeling to be able to return to the site again after the planting, good luck on the return hunts and may one of the want list coppers come to light, or even a silver. Thanks for giving some the history behind the finds.