Big strange silver coin in a Kentucky field.

[Deno]

We started out hunting an old house built in the early 1800's, I found 2 Indian heads in
about the first 10 minutes, a 1905 that I managed to put a big scratch on and a nice
looking 1895. I gave the owner his choice and he took the 1905. The yard was small
and we hunted for about 2 more hours with no luck. The owner told us he had plowed
up part of an old foundation in the back field and we said show us the way. It took us
a little while to find the debri field and then it was on. I found 2 thimbles and a couple
of belt buckles. Weaver found this strange half dollar size silver coin made into a necklace.

 

[DownEastDetectorist]

I agree. 7th Corps Badge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VIIcorpsbadge.png

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Awesome coin/medallion, one of a kind! It's .900 silver as well. Congrats to your buddy and nice IH. HH, Mike

 

[fmerg]

There is no doubt about it
it is a Wilhelm I Thaler (1861-1888)
you may be able to pull a number or two from the lower point of the star

 

[ivan salis]

new orleans also uses a similar design * even to this day on its police badges -- without a doubt southern and civil war eraish to me -- lots of civil war action in KY --- looks to be a hand crafted item --made out of a 90% silver (1861 to 1888 era-- being war made make that 1861 to 1865 * ) --german thaler coin --sweet find

 

[diggummup]

Now Im throwing out a big maybe but I think its a very good possibility. I believe you have a 7th corp badge there carved from a coin. The reason I say that is for several reasons

1- kentucky depending on what part has a good amount of cw relics in it.
2- I also believe your coin is an 1860's Prussian Thaler which places a good date
3- the 7th Corp Dept. of Arkansas was 1865
4- it has a hole in it as it could have been worn as a corp badge around the neck or put on a kepi

If that is what it turns out to be that deserves a place up top. Im sure some other cw hunters will chime in on this one.

Great find either way

Plus there were many German immigrants who fought in the war, which would explain the Thaler. Probably a "good luck coin" fashioned into a badge as stated. What other explanation ie there, besides the New Orleans reference? I'm leaning towards CW myself and vote banner find.

The 7th Corp (Union) was formed in Va. (1st) then after it's deactivation (spring '63) the 2nd was formed in Ark. Summer '63.

 

[civilman1]

Now Im throwing out a big maybe but I think its a very good possibility. I believe you have a 7th corp badge there carved from a coin. The reason I say that is for several reasons

1- kentucky depending on what part has a good amount of cw relics in it.
2- I also believe your coin is an 1860's Prussian Thaler which places a good date
3- the 7th Corp Dept. of Arkansas was 1865
4- it has a hole in it as it could have been worn as a corp badge around the neck or put on a kepi

If that is what it turns out to be that deserves a place up top. Im sure some other cw hunters will chime in on this one.

Great find either way

I agree,7th Corps

 

[Dman]

Awesome find. I think it is a 7th corp badge like everyone else.

 

[MKnTenn]

Awesome carved silver! I'm going with the corp badge also, but what ever the carver was making that coin is way cool, HH.

 

[MonkeyBoy]

I'm searching my materials.. but I swear I saw a reference to a star and crescent on a Kentucky frock in some collection... a French descendant I believe. Does not mean alot since soldiers put all kinds of things on their uniforms.. but the symbol was used earlier by some french.. and some NY troops.. etc.. and then the VII Corp. This is from memory.. so take it with a grain of salt.

MB

 

[Hill Billy]

Tell Weaver congrats on such a unique find Deno.
Good job to you on the IH's .
I may try and get on something later today, hopefully I'll find something to post.

HB

 

[Metal Magnet]

absolutely incredible, one of a kind, personal, historical piece! man, that is amazing - congratulations.

 

[Deno]

That is super cool!!

I think it may be a Prussian Thaler circa 1860s?

http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=212&lotNo=5696

But what it is made into is much more important - that is something else!

Thanks Bramblefind.

 

[Deno]

Well I'm half convinced I know what this symbol is and the other half has me scratching my head.

Ok...here goes.

1. This is the Shriners symbol. The downward pointing tiger claws with the the star of Bethlehem between them.

Except here we have the problem. The star is inverted. It should be right side up.

BUT...

2. The inverted star is also the symbol of The Order of the Eastern Star. Which is a woman's organization affiliated with the Shriners and the Masons.

Either the person who made this had to cut it this way to make the star work with the pattern and was a Shriner or ??

Hmmmm

Thanks GC

 

[Deno]

Now Im throwing out a big maybe but I think its a very good possibility. I believe you have a 7th corp badge there carved from a coin. The reason I say that is for several reasons

1- kentucky depending on what part has a good amount of cw relics in it.
2- I also believe your coin is an 1860's Prussian Thaler which places a good date
3- the 7th Corp Dept. of Arkansas was 1865
4- it has a hole in it as it could have been worn as a corp badge around the neck or put on a kepi

If that is what it turns out to be that deserves a place up top. Im sure some other cw hunters will chime in on this one.

Great find either way

Thanks so much cwd, I think you have got it. We didn't have a clue what it might be but
it all makes sense now since the place we were hunting was near a lot of CW action.
Thanks again for your knowledge and help.

 

[Deno]

I agree. 7th Corps Badge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VIIcorpsbadge.png

Thanks for the link DED.

 

[Deno]

That silver looks kinda Russian to me. Nice finds, great Indian head

Yea mikusek, thats the story of my life, I dig Indian heads while my buddies dig big exotic
Civil War relics. I still had a good time and I am happy for Weaver.

 

[Deno]

Tell Weaver congrats on such a unique find Deno.
Good job to you on the IH's .
I may try and get on something later today, hopefully I'll find something to post.

HB

Thanks HB, I knew my 2 Indian heads wouldn't hold up. If I didn't like Weaver
so much he would really get on my nerves. I am getting tired of all these butt
whippings lately, I am due big time.

Good luck if you do happen to get out and I wish you a banner find.

 

[Deno]

Thank all of you for looking and your comments and knowledge.

Good luck to all of you.

Deno.

 

[BushBooger]

Beautiful piece! might i ask what part of Ky youre from? I live in southeast Ky and wonder if there could be anything worth detecting around me. I was recently given a md and so far have only found a pocket full of change in my backyard. (Banner)

 

[KY Relic Hunter]

Deno,

Yes I agree with the other folks. It apppears to be a CW corps badge to me. Yesterday when you were describing it, you didn't tell me about the cresent shape in the cut out...

Very nice find. I wish I had been with you guys yesterday, but Larry and I were on a CW camp of our own..

Congratulations to Weaver.

Regards,

KY Relic Hunter