James II Tin Farthing and other finds from the colonial watering hole

[HomeGuardDan]

My father was up for the weekend and we decided to head down to one of the watering holes again. This is his second trip to one and on his last he managed 4 US large cents and nothing else. Well yesterday he did it again. He did not recover a single button or lead musket ball, but he did manage to recover a nice 1600's James II (1680s) Tin farthing with the copper plug. He now has recovered 5 coins in two trips and nothing else...go figure. This is a good coin to find to say the least.

I tried and tried to get over another coin but only found other odds and ends. My total finds five buttons and five musket balls along with other odds and ends (CW era epaulet key, broken early colonial buckle and a unique colonial lead seal "RR" that I know I've seen somewhere before. I obviously know it is a bale or other use seal, but the crest looks familiar (any ideas are welcome).

Two of the buttons were good ones (in my book at least). One was an early (1600s) pewter cast button and the other a 1700's pewter/lead cast star button. When the later came to the surface back first, I swore I was holding another rev war regimental button.

We only were able to get in about 3 hours of searching and the conditions were not ideal (COLD and RAINY). I certainly am ready for the summer to arrive where I can move freely without a wetsuit and also enjoy better tides.

Sorry for the lack of a stool and my better camera...I was lazy on this cold and rainy day.

HH

Dan

 

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[Bill D. (VA)]

Some very unique items there Dan. That James II farthing with the copper plug is a coin I've heard of, but never seen one dug here in the US. That RR seal is really cool too as is that star button. I dug one similar to yours this past season but can't remember where. Glad you guys were able to make it out in spite of the conditions. But that's nothing unusual for you ....

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on some very nice finds

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Some very unique items there Dan. That James II farthing with the copper plug is a coin I've heard of, but never seen one dug here in the US. That RR seal is really cool too as is that star button. I dug one similar to yours this past season but can't remember where. Glad you guys were able to make it out in spite of the conditions. But that's nothing unusual for you ....

Thanks man. I told him when he dug it that he was a lucky dog....was one of the first targets of the day. Hopefully there is another out there.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice collection of goodies! The best part of the hunt is spending time with your Dad.

 

[romeo-1]

Some sweet finds there!!

 

[CRUSADER]

It’s Funny to think that in those days that the small copper plug represented the intrinsic value of the coin.
There are only 2 likely dates, as the other 2 are extremely rare – 1685 & 1686
It’s one of the very few coins we value at a below fine state of ‘Fair’. In EF they book at £3000+
A very rare find here, must equate to an extremely rare one over there!

 

[joeyfresh]

Homeguardjohn stole the show with the coin but your finds aren't too shabby Dan. I really like the pewter buttons and the lead seal is super cool. I'm with ya, bring on the warmer weather and lower tides so I can get me some of what you're finding [emoji6]

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[Jyverb64]

Awesome digs

 

[John in Wilmington]

Had a good time as usual Dan. Enjoyed the ride and digging but not so much the rain. Ill keep the coin warm for you )

 

[UnderMiner]

Very cool!
Poor James II was dethroned in 1688 in the so called "Glorious Revolution".

 

[BuckleBoy]

That James Farthing is a banner find! Fantastic hunt!!

 

[Scrappy]

Pre-King William coppers in the "New World" are very hard to find. Dan, that watering hole is consistently giving up not only very early items, but very rare items. That pewter looks great and the RR button is totally rad!

Congrats!

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Pre-King William coppers in the "New World" are very hard to find. Dan, that watering hole is consistently giving up not only very early items, but very rare items. That pewter looks great and the RR button is totally rad!

Congrats!

Thanks man, It is certainly one of the rarest coins that he will ever find.

 

[HomeGuardDan]

It’s Funny to think that in those days that the small copper plug represented the intrinsic value of the coin.
There are only 2 likely dates, as the other 2 are extremely rare – 1685 & 1686
It’s one of the very few coins we value at a below fine state of ‘Fair’. In EF they book at £3000+
A very rare find here, most equate to an extremely rare one over there!

Thanks Cru - there will be no chance to get a date off of this one, but as you said, even just being one of the "any" possible dates is rare alone. Lets hope there is a friend out there waiting for me.

 

[Plumbata]

Awesome find, never heard of those before and with tin being considerably more valuable than copper I had to read about them. Seems that they were made to support the tin industry and also make counterfeiting more difficult (counterfeiters quickly learned to use lead heh). It was interesting to learn that many had dates on the edge. I wonder what the value of tin was relative to copper at the end of the 17th century and if such farthings were economical. Anyway, congrats on a very cool discovery!

 

[metalev4]

A rare coin to say the least Dan. Congrats to your dad. That site just keeps on giving, looking forward to your next hunt.

 

[OutdoorAdv]

Your dads coin is awesome man! I've never heard of that coin, but that's not really saying much ... It sure sounds like they don't ever get dug over here in the US... what a find. Those two solid pewter buttons are killer too with some great designs. The RR lead thing is very intriguing and for whatever reason, looks familiar to me. I googled a bit but came up empty, so hopefully someone with some info chimes in. Glad you got out with your dad for a great hunt.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Nice dig Dan, always love seeing early pewters and the water certainly preserved those well. I can see how the star button might look like a regimental out of the dirt, definitely has a similar look of a 63rd