Massachusetts Finds -- Bent real with chopmark, unknown coin...

btjbtj

Bronze Member
Aug 27, 2016
1,546
1,412
Massachusetts
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Pro with NEL Big Coil DD. Garrett Pro-Pointer Plus.
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Hi everyone,

We found these items today. The dark coin looks very old, and we have a good silhouette showing...but letters are very faded. Dug him up from under a tree root on the 1683 property. Would love to hear if this guy looks familiar to anyone. 8-) Also found a Spanish real, about 1880ish, bent, with a chopmark.

Also, a few of you on another thread asked for close-ups of a silver coin we found, so I've attached them here in case you miss the original post. Coincidentally(??) this piece is the same size as a 1652 New England Threepence. I see a mark at the top(?), but I can't quite make out what it is. There are superficial, faint V type scratches on each side. Today was a good detecting day. Hope you all had one as well.

Thanks for viewing.

Lisa & John
 

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Upvote 14
a light tap between 2 pieces of hardwood flooring, then on to measure & weigh it, then rub with wet baking soda ---fingers only, then on to aluminum foil if needed. guess is 1 Real--------------- REALLY OLD!!
 

I cannot sleep at night until that worn out silver coin is identified. Even if the owners of Treasurenet have to buy a scanning electron microscope.
 

Congratualtions on the old copper and silver recoveries! :occasion14:
 

Yes, its a Charles II Irish Halfpenny early 1680s
 

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Great finds, the silver coin with the V looks like a worn Reale i have seen a couple like it i think they where used as nickles.The top coin looks interesting some Mass, silver was bent to ward off witches be careful with it could be worth some money.Your lucky to have such a great site to hunt ,here on the south shore there are many first period homes and sites but getting to detect one is pretty hard.
Hi everyone,

We found these items today. The dark coin looks very old, and we have a good silhouette showing...but letters are very faded. Dug him up from under a tree root on the 1683 property. Would love to hear if this guy looks familiar to anyone. 8-) Also found a Spanish real, about 1880ish, bent, with a chopmark.

Also, a few of you on another thread asked for close-ups of a silver coin we found, so I've attached them here in case you miss the original post. Coincidentally(??) this piece is the same size as a 1652 New England Threepence. I see a mark at the top(?), but I can't quite make out what it is. There are superficial, faint V type scratches on each side. Today was a good detecting day. Hope you all had one as well.

Thanks for viewing.

Lisa & John
 

Hi Rhode Hog, lead right silver coin will remain a mystery I guess. What interesting information about the witch. Will have to keep that in mind when we find curved coins! Thanks, L&D

Great finds, the silver coin with the V looks like a worn Reale i have seen a couple like it i think they where used as nickles.The top coin looks interesting some Mass, silver was bent to ward off witches be careful with it could be worth some money.Your lucky to have such a great site to hunt ,here on the south shore there are many first period homes and sites but getting to detect one is pretty hard.
 

I know everyone is focused on the silver coin, but the Charles II coin is almost unheard of in the US. Very early for our side of the pond and quite a lot of history surrounding it.

I have found several William III coppers and a James II cooper, and have been after that copper you have. And like Cru said, probably won't ever find...

Congrats
 

Hi; I think it is a Reale. Thing is that the numbers used on the Tree coins were Roman Numerals ok. Also the Numbers were NEVER made that big at all. I think it is a 1 Reale with a Counter stamp on it. I do believe it is VERY old though ok. Good Luck.
PS: I will PM you later and maybe we could hook up for a hunt ok. I don't drive because of my back but I'm easy to get to ok. PEACE:RONB
 

Crusader--we can't thank you enough for identifying our new coin. Very exciting find, indeed. I am wondering if anyone can tell us what other type of oil besides facial oil we can use when doing the rolling method with wooden skewers to clean our coins. Any advice would be appreciated. We've run out of facial oil. Yuck.L&D[

QUOTE=CRUSADER;5109648]1683 Irland IRELAND 1683 Armstrong & Legg Halfpenny CHARLES II copper aVF RARE!!! # 91519 ss Coin coins and medals
This coin is a rare find in England. Not had one yet & probably never will.[/QUOTE]
 

Scrappy--appreciate your enthusiasm for our find. We wish finds like this kind of find for everyone, but we understand that it's rare to come by a site like this. This morning we detected for 15 minutes and found two buttons and an unknown coin. I'm trying to use the facial oil and wooden skewer method to clear it, but I'm not having much luck. Maybe we should have some type of detecting gathering on the property. Not sure how that would work, but something to think about. L&D

I know everyone is focused on the silver coin, but the Charles II coin is almost unheard of in the US. Very early for our side of the pond and quite a lot of history surrounding it.

I have found several William III coppers and a James II cooper, and have been after that copper you have. And like Cru said, probably won't ever find...

Congrats
 

Scrappy--appreciate your enthusiasm for our find. We wish finds like this kind of find for everyone, but we understand that it's rare to come by a site like this. This morning we detected for 15 minutes and found two buttons and an unknown coin. I'm trying to use the facial oil and wooden skewer method to clear it, but I'm not having much luck. Maybe we should have some type of detecting gathering on the property. Not sure how that would work, but something to think about. L&D

As much as I would love to join you for a hunt on your amazing property i would never open it up to others. That is such a special place and could last decades of fun detecting. It's obviously loaded with early coins and buttons. I would almost bet my life there's a Mass silver or two on that property. I found a 1652 pine tree shilling a couple years ago and it was my dream find. These are super special pieces of early New England history. Any early silver coin you find with a super dark appearance can be lightened up a bit with lemon juice. I always want my early silvers to have that dark toning and to look old. So it's a delicate dance to get them just right without making them too shiny.
 

1683 copper from the 1683 site, amazing! Great finds still on coming, congrats! Awesome awesome awesome! And not only that, but you mention a possible detecting gathering for others as well. Very generous and kind to think of that and mention it. Great guy for sure to even consider sharing that amazing property !But anyway, best of luck out there and keep pulling out that history! Something great once stood where you detect today.
 

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Here's a couple examples of early silvers that I used lemon juice to lighten a bit. Any coin that's not valuable I use a soft toothbrush on. Put the coin in the lemon juice briefly and soak the toothbrush as well. Lightly brush the coin then rinse with water and soap to neutralize. Do short sessions so you don't make it too shiny. The copper coins are a whole different animal. Pewter buttons, Tombac, etc. they all have different needs for cleaning. These 2 coins were done with lemon juice
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Thanks Ahab, yeah, it's hard to contain our enthusiasm--but you're right--should keep it in the family for years of fun to come. Great tip about lemon juice for silver! I also read an article about all of oil soaks for copper. Something to think about. Take care, L&J

QUOTE=Ahab8;5109873]As much as I would love to join you for a hunt on your amazing property i would never open it up to others. That is such a special place and could last decades of fun detecting. It's obviously loaded with early coins and buttons. I would almost bet my life there's a Mass silver or two on that property. I found a 1652 pine tree shilling a couple years ago and it was my dream find. These are super special pieces of early New England history. Any early silver coin you find with a super dark appearance can be lightened up a bit with lemon juice. I always want my early silvers to have that dark toning and to look old. So it's a delicate dance to get them just right without making them too shiny.[/QUOTE]
 

Zach--we were thinking the same thing, so cool to find a 1683 coin on a 1683 site. Thanks for your comments and enthusiasm. -L&D

UOTE=Zachbl92;5109875]1683 copper from the 1683 site, amazing! Great finds still on coming, congrats! Awesome awesome awesome! And not only that, but you mention a possible detecting gathering for others as well. Very generous and kind to think of that and mention it. Great guy for sure to even consider sharing that amazing property !But anyway, best of luck out there and keep pulling out that history! Something great once stood where you detect today.[/QUOTE]
 

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