Colonial coins in Iowa ??

[IAsoldier]

Well I going to say this I didnt dig this up myself but a local farmer did just north of me. This is how it all started I was driving around looking at some old and run down homes in the valley just north of me. I saw a farmer in his field and waited till he got close to talk to and see if he knew anything about the house I found up in the timber. I said what I needed to and got the info about the land and the house. As I was turning around he reached into his pocket and pulled these coins out and said "I found this today in my field do you know what they are." I said "ya old colonial coins Spanish 1 reale Ferdinadus VI and a old British coin KG II 17??." Then I was going to give them back he told me to keep them I got more use for them then he does. I told him thanks and walked to my car to put them away and as I turned around the old farmer drove off I forgot to ask what field they where found at. Well I guess Ill ask him again if I see him later this spring. Know should I clean the coin or just leave it.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Interesting story!

I'd love to see photos of these first. 


And I think I'd be finding out Where they came up.  Do you have permission from this guy?  If so, walk the fields looking for signs.  You'll see signs if there was a structure there! If you don't have permission, then you need to track him down and ask.




Best Wishes,


Buckleboy

 

[IAsoldier]

Didnt get promission because it wasn't his land he just rents it. Now the house use to sit up on the hill before they tore it down next to a newer home up the hill more. Where a old ghost town sits just below it but now a sign is there saying the towns name and dates. Ill try to get pics of the old town but its just farm field now.

 

[Mackaydon]

Don't clean the coins; they're fine 'as is'.

 

[Jazdo]

Wow.. I would sure find out who owns it,and get permission. All kind of possibilities there!

 

[BuckleBoy]

That ain't just a Real--that's a Pistareen! (1740's or '50s)

I don't know that I would necessarily post photos of the town name or other information on a public website like this.


Got my fingers crossed on you getting permission.

 

[IAsoldier]

Ill show the town area but the name Ill cover up I know SHHHHHH its my secret. The big ? is why would colonial coins be out here the town was founded in 1847 and some was Mormons and the rest was from IL and IN area and the names are English like Brown's etc. Unless $$ was short and they use what ever for cash I guess. What do you all think..

 

[Don in SJ]

Colonial era coins were used well into the 1800's, if fact a lot that are found, are from much later sites than the dates of the coins. They circulated for many years due to shortage of change.

Don

 

[Mackaydon]

The Spanish Eight Reales or "piece of eight" remained the standard unit not only throughout the entire colonial period, but was legal tender in the United States as late as 1857.

 

[BuckleBoy]

True, Don.

But I also have a hunch that there were folks there in that area before 1847. Seems odd, since those coins were not legal tender after 1856, that a farmer would find two coins--and both of them be that old--from a site that was 1840s and later...Silver I could understand. We've found it in CW camps...but the KG coin I have a little more difficult time coming to terms with, in that case.

Maybe not "legal" owners of the land, but early settlers in the area before that is my guess.


-Buckles

 

[Mackaydon]

Buckles:
The early immigrants brought with them their native coin (British, French, Irish, Spanish, Dutch, etc.) and this coinage was used as the medium of exchange. Some 'foreign' countries actually minted coins specifically to be used in what was to become the USA. For example, the early 1700s French coppers used in "New France" (Louisiana).
Don.....

 

[BuckleBoy]

Buckles:
The early immigrants brought with them their native coin (British, French, Irish, Spanish, Dutch, etc.) and this coinage was used as the medium of exchange. Some 'foreign' countries actually minted coins specifically to be used in what was to become the USA. For example, the early 1700s French coppers used in "New France" (Louisiana).
Don.....

I'm not talking about Immigrants specifically--but rather Settlers.

But perhaps a Spaniard married an Englishman in this case--and each brought and lost a souvenir from home in Iowa.

 

[Mackaydon]

Before the late 1840's, no white man had settled the area of southwestern Iowa at the point where Harrison County is now located. Probably the first explorers to set foot in this area were Lewis and Clark, who camped just below the mouth of the Soldier River.

The first white man to settle in St. John's Township in which Missouri Valley is now located, came from Tennessee in 1848. In that year, the John REYNOLDS, Charles SMITH, Adam STEVENS, George LAWRENCE and MONGRUM families settled in what became known as Tennessee Hollow.
Don....

Source: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iaharris/history/MoValley_HughTamisiea.htm

 

[civilman1]

What do you mean Spring!!!!!!!! What about Sat. or tommorrow for that fact.Awesome Snag IA....Best of Luck!!!

 

[Roger Mn.]

You never know but the farmer may be spreading a cash all over that field.I would get back and get permission and find out what area they were found in.Good luck.

 

[Jazdo]

Don't know how close this is to ya,but gotta be pretty close.

 

[kuger]

WOW!!Thats a cool story and gift!!!But Reales,early Large Cents and Capped bust coins are dug in California quite often,commonly Gold rush sites produce them and well we all know many came cross country(could have camped in your area).As said Reals and coins from all over the world were used as legal tender until 1851 I believe

 

[IAsoldier]

Hey Don that site worked great I found the town info on it. Settlers did arrive late 1847 and plotted the town in 1855 till it died out in 1905 also found more about my family tree (Frazier) my ancestor didnt arrive here till 1853 in Harrison Co. (I though that was cool). Also there was a Saloon name Castle Thunder AHH you guy are making me think harder. The town is north of me on Hwy-183 at a junction. Nice place just wish I had help on it, any takers for a ride here Im off till Nov 7 so I got time.

Buckleboys whats a Pistareen and its not a reale and info be great on that silver. Thanks

 

[Mental Granny]

Those are some really cool coins I'd get back and find out where he got them and get permission!

 

[IAsoldier]

Update in the KG II 1/2 penny which took me a month to soak in Olive oil. I've got a date 1748 and weighs 8.9 grams to. Is that right for a 1/2 penny ?? and finally I did get permission to hunt the land this spring around the area but wish I could find the farmer again. Thanks all and HH.