???? 1813 HALF STIVER ???? In Massachusetts ????

[Cobalt*Blue]

I secured permission to prospect at a nice old house last week and am finally producing the goodies and rediscovering why I love this hobby. I found this coin soon after digging up a 1941 Walker. I thought it to be one of those Presidential collector coins from the 1950's or 1960's. Since I was high as a kite from finding the big silver, I dismissed the coin until later at home when I pulled in out of the soapy water and found that I could read "HALF _____" on the reverse. That got my attention since I have never found a half cent. I cleaned it up some more and read "HALF STIVER". I asked myself the very same question you are most likely asking, "What the h. e. double hockey sticks is a Half Stiver?"
From a little research I have found that a HALF STIVER is a British coin, 28mm, and was deemed a Token for use in the Colonies of Essequebo and Demarary. This area of the world is now Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, and parts of Brazil and Venezuela. It is dated 1813 on the reverse. The obverse reads: GEORGIUS III D:G.REX. Why this coin was in the side yard of a cir. 1890 home has me baffled. It is moderately corroded and I would quess that it has been in the soil a little over 100 years. Both the Walking Liberty and the Half Stiver were found at 4-5". Some find Gold coins but now I can proudly proclaim that I am in the STIVER club. H.H. Chris.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Family Maps of Hinds County, Mississippi, Deluxe Edition - Grab it through Amazon!

[Admiral de Salee]

I haven't found anything yet on a Stiver or half-Stiver as old as yours. There's some info under British Guyana about mintage there authorized by the treasury in 1835. There's a table of values for Stivers dated after 1835--nothing about halves.

I'll keep looking under different countries / colonies.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

[Fozzy]

Very nice finds. There's some great stuff here in Mass.!

HH!

 

[goldgrubber]

Great coins! Congratulations.

 

[Admiral de Salee]

Is this one yours? I didn't know the colony names Essequary & Whatchacallit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ESSEQUIBO-DEMER...goryZ542QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

 

[romeo-1]

We find these quite often...they were used quite extensively in the Commonwealth so it wouldn't be too unusual for one to creep across the border.

 

[Cobalt*Blue]

Thank you for the information romeo-1.

Also, thank you Admiral for the look up attempt. The coin on ebay is not mine (I think I'll be buried with my finds) but the price tag shows the lack of demand for this coin. If you are still trying to find this coin in your World Coin books, remember that it is a "token to be used in the colonies". Great Brittan did not want its colonies to have there own currency. Thanks again and HH. Chris

 

[halfdime]

I missed this the first time...cool find!