Bested my oldest coin by 180+ years!!

[olas13]

Hello all, its been quite a while since my last post (kids ruined my camera). But I'm glad to be back with my oldest coin to date. My previous best was 1787 Fugio. This coin is 180 years older!
While driving through town last week I noticed the town was removing a couple of swing sets at the local village green playground. They only removed about 6" of material from under the swings but I know the area had a lot of history. Sooo out comes the machine and on with the hunt.
Right away I got a few newer coins and of course lots of trash, then an indian head and two silver coins, a standing lib quarter and a rosie dime. Since it had gotten dark already I stayed for one more signal and figured I'd call it a day until tommorrow. I got a weak signal and retrieved what appeared (in the twilight ) to be a corroded shotgun shell, so I dropped it into my pouch and went home. When I got home I took the silver coins into the house and thru the (shotgun shell) into the pile of pull tabs and trash in the corner of my trunk. The following day while cleaning out the car I picked up the discarded item and noticed a few letters on it. Upon closer inspection it also had some design on the other side. Into the house and under the faucet and I could make out three fleur de lis and the word tovrnois sround the edge.
Off to the computer and a few seconds later my item was identified as a Copper Double Tov(u)rnois French coin first minted in 1606!!
UNbelievable! I have a couple of pics and considering it is a copper coin I'm amazed you can read it at all.

I"LL be posting some other goodies soon. Thanks.
Enjoy. HH









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[Tykit]

It pays to be observant, you picked a great spot. Excellent coins, great job.

 

[P.B. and Dylan]

That's a super find olas.

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Nice going! It goes to show how important it is to double check your trash before discarding it.

I am voting banner because we don't see many pre 1700 coins from this side of the pond. You have me beat my 93 years!

 

[Iron Patch]

Nice going! It goes to show how important it is to double check your trash before discarding it.

I am voting banner because we don't see many pre 1700 coins from this side of the pond. You have me beat my 93 years!

Actually he has you beat by over 100 years because that's Henri III.



Olas, It gets better too, these coins usually aren't round so there's not near as much edge loss as might have been thought.

There's many mints in France, so the coins can change a little, so even if this is not a perfect match I am sure it's Henri III. (Late 1500s) If it's not I'll eat it!

I was just looking at another type of Henri III coin and the date range is 1574-1589 and that's probably the same for your Double Tournois.

 

[john glassman]

Thats very nice old coin you found!

 

[deanv63]

Sweet finds!

 

[teleman 2525]

very nice oldie

 

[romeo-1]

Beauty! Now, what's that bike in your avatar?

 

[MaineRelic]

Congradulations on a real oldie ! A 16th century coin ! Nice going ! Your instincts paid off there ! Super ! MaineRelic

 

[Syrena Hunter]

WOW, great finds. Way to keep the eyes open!

 

[mhagy1]

That is one great wonderful find.