Found yesterday, almost got skunked, need help

[smokeythecat]

I was digging with a friend yesterday in PA near the MD/PA line. We were looking for French & Indian war sites, and looking for arrowheads. Well, we didn't find any arrowheads. We went to four sites and the last site, a trading post, just a bean field now and hadn't got anything all day long. Well, the last site we got a couple things. I am the queen of aluminum for this trip!

My buddy got the following item which is quite puzzling to me. It is a 15th to 20th century either Portugese, English or French made "African" manilla bracelet, also called African trade money, in copper. My friend dug this as almost his last target at a place that was supposed to be part of the underground railroad prior to the civil war. Supposedly, other slave related items were found there in the past. Now, slaves owned nothing...so, question is, was it traded to the Indians? Lost later? Thrown out as trash? Any ideas appreciated.


I thought I was on a roll with this - But it was the back to a modern watch.

Last target of the day was FINALLY a keeper! A Spanish Maravedis! And from an odd spot although there is a river nearby. Can anyone ID this?

 

[Trezurehunter]

I can't help on either Smokey, but those are some nice finds.

 

[GopherDaGold]

Very cool items! I hope you get the answers you seek!

 

[smokeythecat]

I hope so. Maybe by tonight more of us will be on the site.

 

[A2coins]

Awesome hunting spots the bracelet looks like a giant Indians nose ring lol seems pretty heavy for a bracelet didn't bulls or cows have nose rings like that. just adding my half cents hope you get an I'd that's really interesting finds. Tommy

 

[DDancer]

I'd suspect the manilla is a lost item used for trade as you said Smokey. Slave's were stripped of everything and such an item is very unlikely to have made it to the US on a slave. Or anywhere else for that matter. Metals trade is the most likely source. With the indian's ? I don't know either but anyone in the time period could find use for copper. I can imagine a rainy day when the manilla fell out of a pack into the mud and disappeared until now Cool finds.

 

[WHADIFIND]

Naah...that is one of the earliest editions I've seen of a Sesame Street staple! The letter "C"!!!

Good job STC!

 

[DCMatt]

I did a little reading on these pieces and was surprised to find they were used as 'trade money' well into the 1940's in some parts of the world.

Apparently, weight and the type and shape of the flared ends can help determine origin and age.

 

[OBN]

Good Job on the treasures, Again........Always interesting digs!

 

[Tuberale]

Couldd you post photos of the maravidas after cleaning? They might have a date or a code on them that can be followed...

 

[blugotti1]

maradevis?

think so dude!!

 

[smokeythecat]

I may try some of the Andre's pencils in the am.

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!