1831 British Penny Found In Michigan

[Deerhunter24]

Hey all,

Got permission earlier in the week to hunt an old home site. House is on plat map from 1875, but no idea of its actual age.

Anyway, went there Tuesday and found 5 wheat pennies.

Went back again today...scored a few more wheats. Was'nt finding too much else and ready to head back to the car when I got a solid signal at about 5-6" deep. Figured what the hell...I'll dig one more target.

When I popped the plug out of the ground...a circular impression in the bottom of the plug was staring at me...and the impression was the size of a half dollar.

Anyway...looked down in the hole at this gigantic coin. It was one that i have certainly never seen before. I picked it up...shoved it in my pocket until I could get home and do a little research on it.

The front of the coin has a mans bust on it. It says "GULIELMUS IIII" on the left side and "DEI GRATIA" on the right side. The date is 1831.

The back has a woman holding a shield and a trident/spear.

The back says "BRITANNIAR REX FID: DEI:"

Its pretty cool. Don't know much yet of value or rarity...but its a pretty cool old find...especially in Michigan.


FYI...These scans dont do the coin justice. There is lots of detail there. Coin really isn't worn that much all things considered.


Deerhunter24 (Chuck)

 

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[goldseeker4000]

Nice find! I don't see the date. Wed., I found a 1758 Isle of Man penny in Whitefish, Montana. Isle of Man is in the Irish Sea between Ireland and Great Britain. What it is doing in Montana is anybodies guess. the thread to check it out is in todays finds- 1758 Isle of Man Penny found in Montana with 705. check it out. Great job, keep finding great finds.

 

[ewcoinhunter]

Great find! Congrats!

 

[CRUSADER]

Firstly are you sure its a Penny, they were BIG back then, you put no size on your post
Penny - 34mm - (Only minted 1831,34,37)
Halfpenny - 28mm - (Only minted 1831,34,37)
Farthing - 22mm - (Only minted 1831,34,35,36,37)

Which is it?

If its a Penny of 1831 the 2010 book price is:
F - £18
VF - £55
EF - £325
As its been in the ground you could at least half these prices.

So not that rare in terms of collecting, but as a metal detecting find (if its a Penny), I've never had one of this King at all

 

[danthecanuck]

This coin was introduced into Canada in 1832 as excess British coinage to help the shortage of coins in Canada,and to stop the counterfeiting.What were called Blacksmith,Tiffin Tokens and private tokens had become a problem,especialy with Britain trying to control the copper coming into Canada.Some of these phonies are hard to find,but I have quite a few. The 1831 is a nice coin,I have only found one,but it came out of the ground (sandy soil) at EF 40-with corrosion,just a beautiful patena...nice find! (sub note) copper coins were used across borders in those days and valued by size and wieght...almost like siver and gold,so you will find these varieties through out The U.S and Canada...Dan

 

[Deerhunter24]

Thanks for the replies.

Crusader...the coin is about the size of a US half dollar, maybe bigger. So its pretty big.

Im guessing its a penny.


Deerhunter24

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks for the replies.

Crusader...the coin is about the size of a US half dollar, maybe bigger. So its pretty big.

Im guessing its a penny.


Deerhunter24

If a US half dollar is 30mm, then its closer to a Halfpenny than a Penny

 

[steelheadwill]

Nice Find!
first Year Of Issue for the George IIII (not IV ? )
British coinage I've found have date on reverse under line below Brittania.
First I've seen with obverse date. (still a newbie )
Measure that copper so you know what it is

 

[derfel]

nice find never found a coin of his in the Uk!

 

[CRUSADER]

Nice Find!
first Year Of Issue for the George IIII (not IV ? )
British coinage I've found have date on reverse under line below Brittania.
First I've seen with obverse date. (still a newbie )
Measure that copper so you know what it is

William IV

 

[spitfire55]