Castineman1779
Sr. Member
Penobscot Expedition- Gen. Francis McClean's Pieces of 8
Well folks as I understand it my posts are to long so instead of listing my articles here I will post some coins and relics individually with minimum writing.
Here is a coin I found in Castine, Maine near old Fort George. It seems in a British Orderly Sergeants journal of the 3 week siege the commander Gen. McClean was in need to hire what they called "pioneers" to help clear the area around Ft George and also built it. Being not short on the large silver but short on the small change he ordered the coins to be cut into 5th. Common practice of the day were cut in 1/8ths.
Sergeant Lawrence Journal 20 July 1779-
Small change is so scarce that dollars are cut into 5 pieces by command of the general.
After the siege was over and it was determined that was considered that was a fraudulent practice on November 14th Sgt Lawrence would ad in his journal " Owing to fraudulent practices , the cut pieces of 8 are to be called in Dr Calif who in return will give a dollar for 5 of them.
The one I am showing here was found by me about 100 feet from Ft George. These cut pieces in 8ths are quite common finds but the 5ths not but none the less still exciting to find in any form. Two pics are the front and back of a early 18th century Spanish Milled dollar.,
quarters and 8ths.
Well folks as I understand it my posts are to long so instead of listing my articles here I will post some coins and relics individually with minimum writing.Here is a coin I found in Castine, Maine near old Fort George. It seems in a British Orderly Sergeants journal of the 3 week siege the commander Gen. McClean was in need to hire what they called "pioneers" to help clear the area around Ft George and also built it. Being not short on the large silver but short on the small change he ordered the coins to be cut into 5th. Common practice of the day were cut in 1/8ths.
Sergeant Lawrence Journal 20 July 1779-
Small change is so scarce that dollars are cut into 5 pieces by command of the general.
After the siege was over and it was determined that was considered that was a fraudulent practice on November 14th Sgt Lawrence would ad in his journal " Owing to fraudulent practices , the cut pieces of 8 are to be called in Dr Calif who in return will give a dollar for 5 of them.
The one I am showing here was found by me about 100 feet from Ft George. These cut pieces in 8ths are quite common finds but the 5ths not but none the less still exciting to find in any form. Two pics are the front and back of a early 18th century Spanish Milled dollar.,
quarters and 8ths.
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