Found these 2 interesting items yesterday

[Bill D. (VA)]

In my junk box! The first one was found many years ago at a construction site in the original downtown Norfolk area which dates to the 1600s. It appears to be some kind of token that was cut in half for some reason. I can plainly see the word "Benedict" plus the number "8". Did a little research but didn't have any luck. But I feel this is probably a 19th century token of some sort that doesn't hold much significance. The other item was a toasty, gritty old copper than appears to be a liberty cap cent from the few details I can see. But the date is gone as is just about everything else so this is probably nothing more than a worthless copper slug at this point. Anyway, just goes to show that you need to be highly scrutinous of all your finds to make sure something doesn't slip through the crack. My very first oversight of this nature occurred over 15 years ago when another copper slug turned out to be my first Va halfpenny. Thought I'd learned my lesson but I guess not.

 

[Plumbata]

Nice saves from the junk pile! The cut coin might be a Louis XIV Ecu or fraction thereof. The font of the "Benedic(tvm)" seems to match well enough. If so, that's a great piece of colonial silver.

 

[doninbrewster]

The Papal States have issued coins for over 1,000 years. It's quite possible you have a coin from Pope Benedict (most likely the 14th)

 

[DMN]

That 8 looks like a counter stamp, doesn't it?
That crusty is a keeper too. Got to live the old stuff.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Nice saves from the junk pile! The cut coin might be a Louis XIV Ecu or fraction thereof. The font of the "Benedic(tvm)" seems to match well enough. If so, that's a great piece of colonial silver.

Unfortunately, its copper or brass and not silver, and very thin. I thought about it being a colonial French coin initially, but don't believe its that old.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

That 8 looks like a counter stamp, doesn't it?
That crusty is a keeper too. Got to live the old stuff.

A lot of the 19th century tokens had the denomination counterstamped on them, especially such items as sutler's tokens. That's still the way I'm leaning towards.

 

[joeyfresh]

Unfortunately, its copper or brass and not silver, and very thin. I thought about it being a colonial French coin initially, but don't believe its that old.

Google images shows there was a French Colonies copper. The Canadian guys will know more.
http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?IDArticle=3210

 

[DMN]

Thank you, Bill. Wondering why 8 if that could be a denomination stamp. Counter stamping is not my field.

 

[VOL1266-X]

That's a good junk box Bill-LOL. HH, Q.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

I've been doing a little more research, and found that some French coinage produced in the 1700s for use in the colony of Canada has "Benedictum" as part of the inscription around the perimeter of the coin. This looks similar to what I'm seeing on mine, but unfortunately I have no other details to help confirm. Maybe some of you Canadian or New England boys are more familiar with these coins and can shed some light on this. Below are pics from one of these style coins, but mine appears to be of a smaller diameter. There are also other French coins of this period and type with the same inscription as well. The counterstamp "8" is throwing me off as well, but my friend Joey told me these were commonly stamped and used as tokens which makes sense. Appreciate any additional input. And, BTW, this coin is extremely thin.

 

[joeyfresh]

Bill, could you 8 actually be a B? Interesting 1769-dated Circulating Counterfeit Black Dogg, marked for Tobago - West Indies - Coins of Spain, Portugal, and the New World - World Coins used in America - INVENTORY

 

[joeyfresh]

Catalogue of Coins, Tokens, and Medals in the Numismatic Collection of the Mint of the United States ..

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Catalogue of Coins, Tokens, and Medals in the Numismatic Collection of the Mint of the United States ..

That's quite interesting that all those tokens were also dug in Norfolk. I haven't read the full response yet from your link but will get to that later this evening. And that stamp on mine is definitely an 8 and not a B. Thanks for the research.

 

[DMN]

Bill, there is enough shadowy detail on the piece near the 'e' in Benedictum to coorate to the image you looked up. I'm sure you are correct.
Tricky part is getting the low down on the counterstamp. I'll be watching. It's a great thread.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Before this post fades into the oblivion thought I'd bump it up one more time to see if anyone familiar with these French coins might chime in and offer some useful info. Thanks to all those that have already responded.

 

[doninbrewster]

It appears what you have is a French billon coinage which was imported here c.1709-1760. Billon is an alloy of silver and copper although sometimes includes mercury. These coins were very thin when they were made. I have a friend who is in my metal detector club who is from France. He has found numerous billon coins in France and tells me that they are usually broken because of the metal they were made with and because they are so thin. I've added a link to a photo he had sent me of some of the pieces he has found in France.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/bowlski_bucket/treasure%20hunting/billoncoins.jpg

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

It appears what you have is a French billon coinage which was imported here c.1709-1760. Billon is an alloy or silver and copper although sometimes includes mercury. These coins were very thin when they were made. I have a friend who is in my metal detector club who is from France. He has found numerous billon coins in France and tells me that they are usually broken because of the metal they were made with and because they are so thin. I've added a link to a photo he had sent me of some of the pieces he has found in France.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/bowlski_bucket/treasure%20hunting/billoncoins.jpg

Thanks a bunch for that info Don. Very informative. Do you know if these coins were commonly counter stamped like mine?

 

[CASPER-2]

I for the life of me cant remember where - but very recently I saw someone post a benedict coin - but don't know if it was this forum or another
will keep and eye open though if I come across it again
you may want to make a new post on a few of the forums - "anyone find a Benedict coin"
you may get more responses

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Bill, Rick checked his books and hasn't come up with anything on the. I don't know where IP is these days, I haven't seen a post by him in some time now but he is the best one I can think of around these parts that maybe able to ID it. I sent him a link to this post, hopefully he will chime in.
ZDD

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Bill, Rick checked his books and hasn't come up with anything on the. I don't know where IP is these days, I haven't seen a post by him in some time now but he is the best one I can think of around these parts that maybe able to ID it. I sent him a link to this post, hopefully he will chime in.
ZDD

Thanks for helping Dave, but I think Don nailed it a few replies above. Check it out if you haven't already.