Ancient Copper Coin?

[seychik]

Found this very thin copper? coin? at a park (with 1960s house around) about 1/2 down with my White's MXT. The VDI was 37 (like a pull tab). The coin just fits inside the rim line of a dime. Any help on what this is? I posted 3 pictures of the one side and 2 of the other side. Cindy

 

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[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

It has a spanish look to it, "maybe" 2 Maravedis.
It has a silvery look in the pics. with the red background, which if so would rule what I said above.

 

[seychik]

Thanks Rick. It is not silver, maybe bronze or copper. Strange to find it in a Denver Suburb. You never know what you'll find. Several photos of the Maravedis on Wikipedia look somewhat similar. I appreciate your reply.

 

[Iron Patch]

French King Henri Liard. It's old! Edit: ooops... messed that up, but close... just need to find the right one. It's likely an earlier Henri... so 1500s.

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

Okay, that's one crazy find!
You've managed to just become a member of the 1600, maybe 1500 year club!
Kudos!
Carl

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi Cindy,

Crazy find for a Denver suburbs esp in a park 1/2" down with a 1960s house near by. What a story that coin could tell! How about a little more color on some of the other things you were finding? That coin looks like it might actually clean up well with some warm hydrogen peroxide.

Erik

 

[Iron Patch]

Here we go!
[h=1]Henri I d'Albret (1516-1555) Liard[/h]
Seigneurie de Béarn. Henri I d'Albret (1516-1555). Liard à la croisette ANDERE FEUDALE MÜNZEN moneda

 

[seychik]

Thanks Iron Patch, the 'cross' on mine is a bit different but the other side looks very similar to the French one you posted from the link.
Also found a 14g silver ring and a 1948 D dime. Photo shows the ancient coin doesn't look like the silver dime or ring.

And, Thanks Carl.
Cindy

 

[Iron Patch]

Thanks Iron Patch, the 'cross' on mine is a bit different but the other side looks very similar to the French one you posted from the link.
Also found a 14g silver ring and a 1948 D dime. Photo shows the ancient coin doesn't look like the silver dime or ring.

And, Thanks Carl.
Cindy

Yes, I just realized that a minute ago and fixed it.

 

[Iron Patch]

Hi Cindy,

Crazy find for a Denver suburbs esp in a park 1/2" down with a 1960s house near by. What a story that coin could tell! How about a little more color on some of the other things you were finding? That coin looks like it might actually clean up well with some warm hydrogen peroxide.

Erik

That one should have no problem with a lemon juice soak, and will clean up great. I have cleaned many similar, including that same type.

 

[seychik]

Here we go!
Henri I d'Albret (1516-1555) Liard


Seigneurie de Béarn. Henri I d'Albret (1516-1555). Liard à la croisette ANDERE FEUDALE MÜNZEN moneda

WOW. I never thought I would find anything like this without going to Europe. I'm in shock.

 

[seychik]

That one should have no problem with a lemon juice soak, and will clean up great. I have cleaned many similar, including that same type.

Thank you both, I was afraid to clean it at all. How long do you suggest soaking it?

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi - I haven't used lemon juice on a coin, but don't soak it too long in that as it's aggressive--I did soak a heavily crusted livery button I found in England in it and it worked remarkably well on that. Maybe IP will provide directions. I'm partial to hydrogen peroxide with a coin like this that's not flaking. Warm it to the touch and drop the coin in. It'll fizz like crazy. Take it out every few minutes and wipe gently with a Q-tip till the dirt falls off the coin. You can leave the coin in the peroxide for a while if need be. I put a coat of Verdi-Care on the coin to rehydrate after the peroxide bath which tends to dry it out a bit. You can also apply a thin coat of melted bees wax and buff it off.

 

[Iron Patch]

Thank you both, I was afraid to clean it at all. How long do you suggest soaking it?

It should clean fairly quick.... quick enough that you can keep an eye on it, and maybe brush it a little little a toothbrush every 10 minutes or so. You will see the silver reveal itself more and more as you clean.

If you want to wait until tomorrow I have some similar coins and can show you a before and after... but even after soaking a few minutes I'm sure sure you'll like what you see and would keep going.

 

[Erik in NJ]

I'd try IPs method first on this coin as he's worked with them.

Once it's clean, rinse it in water? Rub in baking soda to try and neutralize the citric acid? How should she hydrate and seal the coin?

 

[Iron Patch]

I'd try IPs method first on this coin as he's worked with them.

Once it's clean, rinse it in water? Rub in baking soda to try and neutralize the citric acid? How should she hydrate and seal the coin?

After it's clean, soap and water to rinse, then just a rub in a little spec of Vaseline and it will be good to go. In a 2x2 after that, and done!

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

. You will see the silver reveal itself more and more as you clean.

.

Thought it had a silver look.
WOW congrats on a 1500's silver, not many do it over here anyway.
Nice catch.

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

When I'm not destroying my coins by over zealous cleaning, (sometimes I just can't stop playing with them), I'll use the peroxide method. I put about an inch of peroxide in a small plastic container, (yoghurt tubs are great) and nuke for about 30 seconds. Then just plop it in. These guys are good, someone will narrow it down identity-wise. Carl

 

[seychik]

Here we go!
Henri I d'Albret (1516-1555) Liard


Seigneurie de Béarn. Henri I d'Albret (1516-1555). Liard à la croisette ANDERE FEUDALE MÜNZEN moneda

Not sure I like the cleaned version that much (although it is easier to make out some of the detail), but here it is:

 

[Garrett424]

Wow. That's an awesome find.
Congratulations on a great and old find!!