2 Coins Need Help With ID, Please

[accteam]

Hello,

Please help ID these two coins I found. I found before these coins, some musketballs and buttons, so I know these coins are from around the same time.

The first one, I can only make out some of the words and date. As for the date it reads -80-
Looking at the front and reading the left side M--ET *H* REX
reading the right side towards the bottom, A *TE-

I wish I could be of more help but I cant make out the rest of words. Its a love, hate kinda of thing because I love finding something with history but hate not being able to fully read it.

As for the second coin...I'm sure most people will just say why the (edited) did I post it, because it is in such horrible condition and I agree with you. I was only hoping that maybe someone has or knows of a coin that has some of the lines or shapes. It looks like on the front there might be a person standing sideways with their left arm higher up then their right arm. And on the back, it looks kinda like the side profile of a face. Again, sorry to even put such a horrible pic.

FRONT

BACK

 

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[PBK]

The top coin appears to be a copper/bronze or brass copy of a George III "spade" guinea, a type of British gold coin minted from 1787 to 1799. (See top photo below.) In addition to being heavily counterfeited, these coins were also imitated in the designs of numerous "game counters"— tokens which were used in much the same way that poker chips are used today. (See bottom photo below.) Given its condition, it's difficult to say whether yours is an actual counterfeit or a game counter. However, if the date on it does include "80," as part of either 1780 or 1800, that would tend to indicate that it is a game counter, as they often had incorrect dates, and different inscriptions as well.

The spade guinea is about the same size as a U.S. quarter. There is also a half guinea of the same design; it is about the same size as a U.S. nickel. Half guinea counterfeits and game counters were also made.

 

[PBK]

Only a guess on the bottom coin. It looks as if it might be a c. 1720's Wood's Hibernia halfpenny. (See photos below.)

Here's a link to more info on this coin:

http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinText/HiberniaHD.2.html

The Wood's Hibernia halfpenny is slightly larger than a U.S. quarter. There is also a Wood's Hibernia farthing of the same design; it is slightly larger than a U.S. nickel.

 

[Angelo]

WTG...INTERESTING FINDS!

Tony

 

[accteam]

Hello again,

Thanks for the help...lots of great info. Someone from another board mentioned it might be a halfpenny...and after looking at the pic...it sure looks just like it....wish I was able to see the date.

I only have to try and get permission again to hunt this site...its a great place and will go alot slower this time.

 

[PBK]

Nice work, Accteam! I'm glad I said, "Only a guess..."

Rechecking the photos, BRITANNIA does seem to be a better match. Although there are some Wood's varieties with HIBERNIA divided or extended farther to the right than on the one I posted (see the link), I know of none on which the lettering goes as far right as BRITANNIA does on the British halfpenny.

As you say, dating it would be difficult, as similar reverses appeared on British coppers for a very long time. However, you might be able to narrow the range a bit by closely comparing the few remaining details with those of coins shown at http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinText/Br-Copper.2.html and related pages, or perhaps in a good British coins reference with sharp illustrations such as Seaby's Coins of England and the United Kingdom.