Just back from my gold rush '49er site- latest finds

[perdidogringo]

Hi All,

I just returned from my reliable gold rush '49er site. The place was a campground where many spent the night to and from California from 1848 to about 1855. We only had a couple of hours to search but my girlfriend and I made 5 decent discoveries. She had the find of the day- An 18k St. Christopher Patron Saint of travelers medallion! It has the 18k stamped on the back and then a hallmark symbol which looks like an arrow between a colon (see photo). Can anyone guess an origin from this hallmark? She also found an 1834 1/2 franc.

My first find was a French military button which looks like it dates from the early 1850s (You can clearly read the words "Paris" on the back as well as "T W & W"). On the front, you can barely make out what looks like a soldier with his head turned. My second was an 1848 Great Britain 2 pence (very nice condition) and this is the first English coin I've found at the site over the years. My 3rd decent find is an unidentifiable coin- I'm bummed but it's a little toasted and looks to be copper. I won't post a photo of this last coin since you really can't see any details on it.

If anyone can help out with the origin of the gold medallion, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[JackalopeZL1]

Right on!!! Excellent Finds.

 

[perdidogringo]

Just found this thread shedding some light on the button: Chile 1849 Paris TW & W Pattern Coin? - Coin Community Forum

 

[UnderMiner]

 

[Argentium]

The St. Christopher is a Nice find ! So are the other coins - The medal has a modern look , perhaps an internet search will nail it down for you ( I love the Vicky 2 P )

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[trapperart]

Nice finds congrats

 

[CRUSADER]

It's not just a twopence it's actually part of a set of 5 Maundy Money (1,2,3,4,5).
If you have not had of Maundy money or want to read more look here;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Maundy

 

[park pirate]

Awesome...

 

[perdidogringo]

It's not just a twopence it's actually part of a set of 5 Maundy Money (1,2,3,4,5).
If you have not had of Maundy money or want to read more look here;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Maundy

Thanks for the information, Crusader! That's really interesting- I had never heard of Maundy Money. Excuse my ignorance, but how can you tell a MM 2 pence from a normal 2 pence?

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks for the information, Crusader! That's really interesting- I had never heard of Maundy Money. Excuse my ignorance, but how can you tell a MM 2 pence from a normal 2 pence?

They are all MM in this period, although they were legal tender & were often spent because they were so poor. (maybe holding back one, often holed & worn as pendants)

 

[metalev4]

The medal is really nice! Great recoveries

 

[Geochem]

I call those real treasures once waiting to be found. Great finds!

 

[Carolina Tom]

Killer finds.

18K and old silver coins. NICE!

 

[perdidogringo]

Thanks everyone for the kind words and feedback on the finds! Now just trying to match the hallmark on the back of the gold medallion.

 

[detectahead]

Great finds!

 

[Tommy G]

Great finds! Given the nature of the site, no doubt these won't be the last! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the nice finds!

 

[Doc Arey]

Congrats great saves !

 

[Doc Arey]

Congrats great saves <img title="icon_thumleft" class="inlineimg" alt="" src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif" border="0" smilieid="275">!