Possible Indian Trade Necklaces?

[Waterhead]

While relic hunting here in Eastern Virginia, I detected an agricultural field in hopes of finding a colonial house site.

In a small area of about 200' x 200', I stated digging these copper holed disc that have been hammered into a bowl shape. Each one is very crude and unique in size and shape. I put an old seated quarter with it to give you an idea of the disc size. Anyhow, I've been civil war and colonial relic hunting for 30 some years here in Virginia but am stumped on these copper pieces.

This area of Virginia was rich with Indian occupation and history, so I'm actually leaning towards an Indian trade necklace.

I'm not an expert on Indian artifacts so if anyone with associated knowledge wants to chime in, I'd appreciate it.

 

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[NZ49er]

Could be an Indian trade necklace, or it could be something an African slave was wearing?

 

[WVExplorer]

I have found copper discs like this on older home sites. Mine were more uniform in shape so yours may be different, yours are more crudely made (almost hand made) . I’ve read they used to use copper spacers between the slate on the roofs.

 

[gunsil]

Would not go well on a necklace, not necklace related. I think WVExplorer has it right, roofing slate washers. They weren't spacers between slates, they were washers for the nails to hold the slates on. I have found toasted KG111s holed in the middle and used for slate roof washers.

 

[WVExplorer]

Keep working the area because it sounds like you may be near the house site. I believe slate roofing was mainly common before mid 19th century.

 

[trdking]

Keep working the area because it sounds like you may be near the house site. I believe slate roofing was mainly common before mid 19th century.

I agree!

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

I think WVExplorer has it correct!

 

[Waterhead]

Yea, I'm stumped fellows; it may very well be roof spacers.

I've hunted this field exclusively for several years and there is an early house site approximately 300 yards away from where these disc were found. There is not one bit of slate in this field. Actually, slate roofs are not seen much in this area of Virginia. I don't believe I've ever hunted a field in SE Virginia where there was slate found in the field.

Who knows but you may be right.