My First Half Cent (Literally!)

[Erik in NJ]

This is actually the first time I have dug an intentionally cut coin for the purpose of fractional value so I was very excited to see this come out of the ground. I found it today in a farm field that dates back to colonial times, being graciously invited to hunt with fmerg. I also had the pleasure of meeting Terry Solomon and Angelika.

I found a few other items including a flat button and a tiny (4-holed) cuff button that IDed as foil on my SE Pro--I walked away from the signal and then decided to go back and dig it...very happy I listened to that little voice in my head this time! I'll post the other items when I have a chance.

Anyway, since I got the half with no date on it AND there is a line under the word "CENT" this bit dates somewhere between 1808 - 1839 (and I'm sure it's a key date coin! ).

I gave it a hot peroxide bath, but I'm hesitant to clean it more as it seems any detail that is left (only on the reverse) is in a layer that is flaking away. I can see nothing on the obverse. I was thinking about soaking it in olive oil and then maybe trying to use a toothpick to try and remove the dirt that is still adhering to it. Any thoughts from the experts.

Anyway, here is half a cent of copper back in the first half of the 19th century and a first for me!

 

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[FoundInNC]

Wow that is a great find! I am hoping classic head.

 

[jewelerguy]

cool find. now go find the other half

 

[Erik in NJ]

Although I have found all three pieces of a silver dime that was sliced by a lawnmower in three different holes over two days, I think finding the other half of this coin will be close to impossible because unlike the dime, this "half cent" was in circulation at the time like the Spanish silver we often see cut into halves, quarters, and eights. It's less common to see a US coin intentionally cut to create a fractional value, but they obviously did it and the "bits" circulated as proper currency. The other half is probably still out there somewhere, but probably not in that field.

 

[fmerg]

dont worry erik i will find it if it's out there

 

[Terry Soloman]

Great find Erik!

 

[Erik in NJ]

dont worry erik i will find it if it's out there

Knowing you Frank and the things you pull out of the ground, I'm sure you will--even if it's in Ohio

 

[Tenspeed]

Nice "half cent". That must have been a nice surprise.

 

[granthansen]

Nice! I actually found something just like that, but it was a Lincoln penny! I'll see if I can take a pic later.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Yeah, the ground around here (and there where we were) is pretty rough on coppers...so I'm happier with this half coin that if it had been an intact large cent as it's my first fractional coin that would have been in circulation.

Nice "half cent". That must have been a nice surprise.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi Grant, yeah I've found several silver dimes that were cut in half (and one even in three pieces!), but as far as I know these coins were accidentally cut by commercial lawnmowers (you know the kind with the large rotating drums with curved blades--I'm not sure what they're called). I doubt anyone ever paid for something with a half of a 20th century silver dime (or other coin) that was cut in half (as something that was worth 5 cents)--but I could be wrong. I think the intentional cutting of coins in half, quarters, eighths to make fractional values stopped around the mid-to-late-1800s, but I'm curious if anyone here has a more definitive answer. I haven't looked it up, but I believe actual 1/2 cent coins were in circulation when this coin was cut. Of course I'm sure some 20th century coins were cut by people just messing around to see if they could cut a coin in half. Please post your penny when you have a chance.

Nice! I actually found something just like that, but it was a Lincoln penny! I'll see if I can take a pic later.

 

[Michiganne]

Congrats on your first half cent, Erik. A unique find for sure.

HH

 

[granthansen]

Sorry, forgot to take a pic last night. I was consumed with cleaning off my unknown little coin/token. I'll set a reminder to do it tonight!

 

[Wildcat1750]

Very interesting "Half" Cent find, Erik! I often wonder myself whether these things were done to create fractional currency, to fashion a widget, or just for fun. I think you made the right choice not to go further with the hydrogen peroxide. I found a toasted Large Cent that was more appealing before I removed the crud. Now it is rather pitted and featureless.

It was a good thing that you returned to the foil signal and scored that button! I usually ignore those but maybe I shouldn't.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi Wildcat,

Thanks for your post--I believe the practice of cutting copper for fractional value ended with the large cents as half cent coins were produced up until 1857, though cut coins may have circulated in some areas for a while after that. Once the size of the planchet was reduced to today's size with the Flying Eagle cent I doubt they were cut for fractional value. I know we often see Spanish silver reals which have been cut--this must have been common practice with silver, but interestingly enough I don't see many early American silver coins that have been cut (though holing them seems to have been common practice). I wonder if someone can post some examples. Anyway, I am very happy to have found this cut large cent as it tells a story.

Regarding the foil signal--yes, I normally walk away from them, but due to the age of the field that little voice told me "hey, why not dig it." It's a very thin and small cuff button and I will post it as soon as I have a chance. It taught me to definitely dig these signals at older sites.

Regards, Erik

Very interesting "Half" Cent find, Erik! I often wonder myself whether these things were done to create fractional currency, to fashion a widget, or just for fun. I think you made the right choice not to go further with the hydrogen peroxide. I found a toasted Large Cent that was more appealing before I removed the crud. Now it is rather pitted and featureless.

It was a good thing that you returned to the foil signal and scored that button! I usually ignore those but maybe I shouldn't.

 

[Wildcat1750]

Hi Wildcat,

due to the age of the field that little voice told me "hey, why not dig it." It's a very thin and small cuff button and I will post it as soon as I have a chance. It taught me to definitely dig these signals at older sites.

Regards, Erik

Sometimes it really pays to listen to those little voices in the head, Erik!

 

[Elad]

Cool find! I believe I found 1 half of a large cent. Mine had no details.

 

[granthansen]

Welp, I guess my memory isn't as good as I thought. It's a half-ish penny, definitely not a clean cut!