Found this 1847 token (I think) today

[tribe683]

Found this at an old homesite. I havn't had much time to look into what it is. I assume it's a token because it doesn't have a denomination on it. Found it about 4 inches deep near an old well.

I'm not sure how the writing will show up on my picture so I'll type it out: "Major General Zachary Taylor" "Hero of Palo Alto Resaca De La Palma Monterry and Buena Vista 1847" It's about the size of a quarter, but thinner and lighter. Anyone familiar with what it is and/or a value?

Thanks

 

[team sidewinder]

Very nice find. Congratulations

 

[tribe683]

Thanks Sidewinder. I havn't been detecting for very long and this definitely beat my previous oldest find by about 120 years so I was very excited.

After some research, I believe it is a copper Presidential election token for the 1848 election, which Taylor ended up winning to become the 12th President of the United States. He ended up dying about 16 months into his first term.

Judging from some other sites, prices can range from $15 - $120 depending on the condition. I think this one is in fairly good condition considering it's been in the ground for who knows how long, so I'm going to guess it could go for about $80 if I were to sell it.

Here is one of the links I found in case someone else finds another one or wants to know more about it:

http://purelynumismatics.com/Thread-Old-Copper-s-Presidential-Campaign-Tokens-Medals?page=11

 

[team sidewinder]

Love reading the history on these things. An even better find and something in the 1800's is still on my " Want To Find " list. Yours is in way better condition than the one mentioned in that article. Must be worth some big $$$ but if you are like me nothing I find detecting is for sale and priceless to me.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

Very Cool!...Greeat Find!...Thats a real piece of History there!

 

[badpenny]

Fantastic find, that's the kind of stuff I hunt for. Congratulations.

 

[daemon1971]

Cool token. I'm still looking to get something older than 1901 . Congrats

 

[m bryan]

That's a nice find! History!

 

[woody_g]

great find would love to see one of those staring at me from inside a plug.

 

[Normsel]

Cool find, I keep wishing I can find something old with some history attached to it. My oldest is a 1942 wheatie...

 

[fishstick]

Great find there fellow Hoosier!!! That's a great piece of history. btw how far south are you? CONGRATS.... HH

 

[tribe683]

Thanks everyone, can't wait to get back out there.

Great find there fellow Hoosier!!! That's a great piece of history. btw how far south are you? CONGRATS.... HH

I'm about an hour northeast of Evansville.

 

[tribe683]

Cool find, I keep wishing I can find something old with some history attached to it. My oldest is a 1942 wheatie...

Like I said in an earlier post, my previous best was a 1969 quarter. Just keep at it, you'll find it.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Nice, well done, congrats!