Cut Copper

Ia.FurTrade · Oct 11, 2008

Trying to figure out what kind of copper this piece was cut from.
Same size coin as US Half Cent.
The ribbon has "ALE" on it. There is an "N" to the left of ribbon.
The letters "LUS" are around the center. The back is un-decipherable except for the letters "RAN" around the curved rim.
Thanx! Dale
PS: We found this "cut" 1825 1/2 Cent the same day and same site. (yesterday)
No, the cut piece does NOT fit the Half-Cent!

DD-777 · Oct 11, 2008

Those are two very cool digs IFT - sorry I can't help with the cut piece... :thumbsup:

BuckleBoy · Oct 12, 2008

The "what is it" threads are a better place to post this. That cut half cent is incredible! So someone needed an Eighth cent to spend?

I will keep looking for the cut quarter piece. No luck yet though...

-Buckles

shaun7 · Oct 12, 2008

i didn't realise they did this with copper! i found a cut piece of copper a few months back but it is blank.
why would they have done this? :icon_scratch:

woody50 · Oct 12, 2008

I don't really think someone would cut a copper cent to make a smaller value coin, like they did with the silver pennies in England. But I am not sure about that, maybe someone else could comment. Maybe they cut the coin for use in something, or needed a piece of metal cut in such a way. But I could be wrong, that happens. I would try first to find out what was the value of a 1/2 cent back in those days...

The reason that the silver pennies in England were cut was because there was a lack of coins, only pennies and gold coins I think. Paying for a bread with a silver pennie would be hard I guess. Later they came out with smaller coins to be used for change.

PBK · Oct 12, 2008

Looks a bit like the reverse of a cut Bank of Montreal halfpenny token.

Ia.FurTrade · Oct 12, 2008

PBK said:
Looks a bit like the reverse of a cut Bank of Montreal halfpenny token.

WTG, PBK!!!
You nailed it!
Thank you VERY MUCH!!
HH! Dale

PBK · Oct 12, 2008

Any time, Dale! :wink:

Colonial Copper Zeus · Oct 12, 2008

Congratulations on the cut Classic Head . I don't see too many Classic head coppers where I'm at.I did find one classic head half cent this year though.
Chris

Mr_Mojo_Risin · Oct 12, 2008

A very cool and curious find, Dale. Kudos to PBK for id'ing it. Un-real!

woody50 · Oct 12, 2008

PBK said:
Looks a bit like the reverse of a cut Bank of Montreal halfpenny token.

Wow neat PBK for finding it so soon, great work!

PANNONIAN · Oct 13, 2008

Very interesting find indeed! PBK nailed it again! Congrats! Pannonian

West Jersey Detecting · Oct 13, 2008

PBK said:
Looks a bit like the reverse of a cut Bank of Montreal halfpenny token.

PBK , you never cease to amaze me!!

Nice finds, IFT! :wink:

Marc(NB) · Oct 13, 2008

nice find! I to a few years ago dug a cut 1 penny token,so I guess it was common.Remember back in the very early 1800's you were able to but something with a 1/2 penny.