I found a relic today that sent chills down my spine! Seriously!

[creskol]

Searching an old house foundation today in Albemarle County, Virginia, I dug a very special, unique relic that gave me the chills. I am guessing it is a match box cover, made out of copper, that measures 2.5 inches long x 1.5 inches wide x .875 inches thick. It says WORLD WAR 14 18 on the front and GERM. PRIS. on the back, which I am assuming means GERMAN PRISON. The idea that I am holding a special memento lost by a hero who may well have spent his time in a German Prison gives me a feeling that I can not describe.

 

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[Wildcat1750]

I can well understand how this find gave you chills. I would for me also. Try researching land records for the old house foundation on that property. You may be able to find a connection.

 

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[old digger]

That's a very cool find! I would say the owner took time between engagements to personalize it.

 

[creskol]

The crown is from the Prussian empire which is what Germania/Prussia were before the inception of the third reich. Super cool

Thanks Bob!

 

[creskol]

I can well understand how this find gave you chills. I would for me also. Try researching land records for the old house foundation on that property. You may be able to find a connection.

Thanks Wildcat. I am definitely going to research the property records. I sure hope I can make a connection.

 

[creskol]

That's a very cool find! I would say the owner took time between engagements to personalize it.

Thank you old digger! I love the detail on it. It's too bad that it doesn't have anybody's initials on it, but that mystery makes it all the more intriguing .

 

[ARC]

Ok ready for this...

heh....

Swedish Krona melted... ?

"pris"... Swedish for "prize".

Not saying that this is what it is or means... just a thought really I wanted to share.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Very cool, could it be trench art formed from a German belt buckle??

 

[xcopperstax]

That is an amazing piece of history. It might take some extensive research but if you figure out who the piece belonged to there may even be a surviving picture! Congrats on a one of a kind find! Thanks for sharing.

 

[GB1]

holy cow! nice find!

 

[parsonwalker]

Just WOW.

 

[dansalata]

fantastic!!

 

[Steve in PA]

Very cool! Keep us posted on your research into the property owner.

 

[GaRebel1861]

That's one cool find!

 

[gold panner]

great recovery

 

[tinpan]

Hi, Certainly wouldn,t keep your matches dry in an open WW 1 trench . Most match keeps and tins were water proof . I believe this was civilian . TP

 

[creskol]

Hi, Certainly wouldn,t keep your matches dry in an open WW 1 trench . Most match keeps and tins were water proof . I believe this was civilian . TP

Here is one very similar: https://www.ebay.com/itm/113869629015

 

[AstralDruid]

Nice thing to find

The Hohenzollern Crown ??
We see a lot of that 'Krone' around here in Alsace,, looks very like it, the crown made for Wilhelm II in 1888..? could be..

 

[Calabash Digger]

very nice!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on an outstanding military relic find. That is an unbelievable piece.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

That's a beautiful and historic find!
If only relics like this could tell us their story.

Dave