Amazing Site:1783 KG III Half-Guinea Counterfeit & 1 of best finds of year!

{Sentinel}

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Jan 11, 2007
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Amazing Site:1783 KG III Half-Guinea Counterfeit & 1 of best finds of year!

Hey Guys, I'm still on Cloud 9 right now!.....Myself and diggin' buddy Jeff went out to do some field hunting yesterday at a new site hoping to get maybe another King George Copper or something of the like as Jeff had dug a nice counterstamped KGII Copper the day before. I had school so could not make it but on our return, I focused on an area down from the high spot in the field, a spot that had some trash but that hadn't really been hit previously. After about an hours time I had only dug a few pieces of lead and the infamous can slaw which had been strewn about by the plow :( :P I kept on swinging along and then all of a sudden I got a PERFECT signal with a V.D.I. of +45 which is usually a button or a coin. I dug down about 6 inches and out popped a two-piece button! Now this was unexpected as Jeff hadn't dug any out there the previous day.....I was very intrigued at what it might be as the size was not quite Coat and not quite cuff, more of a school coat or vest size......I noticed the backmark was Scovills Mfg Co which is an 1850-1865 backmark and was an unusual shape. This got me very excited as i'm pretty keen as to how Eagle Buttons look and feel and this definitely wasn't one! When I turned the button over, I saw a nice green face but with alot of dirt clumped to it.....when I lightly brushed it away I saw COLUMNS! and IMMEDIATELY I thought Norfolk Military Academy :o :o :o :o :o :o :o But I didn't want to get my hopes up too high until I was sure. But after a few minutes of cleaning away the dirt alittle better and verifying....it was undeniable: a genuine Confederate NORFOLK MILITARY ACADEMY BUTTON!!!!! :wav: :wav:
In the world of Civil War buttons, the N.M.A. button ranks right at the very top as one of the rarest and hardest to find Confederate Buttons, just like the H.M.A.s from a couple months ago. It was originally misidentified by our good buddy Mr. A. Albert as being from Transylvania University of Kentucky and is a VERY WELL known fact that most Civil War Relic-hunters know about. Butch Holcombe of American Digger, Steve Sylvia of North-South Trader, Harry Ridgeway of The Civilwar Relic Man and Civil War relic-hunter and legend Buddy Andes will & have verified this well-known misidentification attributed by Albert.
Norfolk Military Academy still stands in downtown Norfolk, Virginia today and is an exceptionally beautiful structure. It was a military academy before the war and once the South Seceded, a Confederate Military Academy. It was also the military alma-mater of none other than Col. Walter Taylor, General Robert E. Lee's Adjutant and Aide-de-Camp for the duration of the Civil War and the person to General Lee's left in the now famous photo of himself, Colonel Taylor and Gen. G. Lee, Robert E. Lee's son. Many a Graduates from N.M.A. went off to fight in Northern Virginia against the Army of the Potomac.
Having dug this button and the Alabama Volunteer Corps Button (a rare button in its own right) in one month is something I may not be able to do again for a long time because of the rarity of these buttons. Although I probably will never sell it, the Norfolk Military Academy buttons rarely come up for sale but when they do they usually sale for around $1000.00 give or take a couple hundred!

In addition, I also dug a Sweet copper on Monday that I'd never seen before in this area as it was very thin, the size of a farthing and just FUNNY LOOKING! Something wasn't right :icon_scratch: :icon_scratch: :icon_scratch: IT WAS TOO THIN??? And the shield on it was nothing like a King George III Virginia Halfpenny, the only other copper around here with a Shield Coat-of-Arms on it........???
COME TO FIND OUT....IT WASNT A COPPER AT ALL, but a forgery of a gold coin!; a King George III 1/2 guinea counterfeit!!!! That's why it was so thin :o
I love this find as well because I don't think that there are too many in this area...I've never found one around here and I've been digging around here for a long time.....it would've been cool though if there had been alittle gold left on it :dontknow: Oh well I guess, still a pretty cool find!!!

Also ended the day with a Large Cent, New York Cuff and the usual Eagle "A's".

Thanks for taking the time to post to you guys that do. I know its easier to just look at a post and keep trucking so it means that much more when you guys actually post something so I appreciate it fellas :icon_thumleft: :icon_thumleft: :icon_thumleft: HH


ALL FINDS FOUND BY ME ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITH CONSENT OF THE OWNER





Col. Walter Taylor who attended Norfolk Military Academy is standing on the right side (Gen. Lee's left) of photo.

Robert-Walter.jpg








NORFOLK MILITARY ACADEMY
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NORFOLK MILITARY ACADEMY BUTTON (Confederate Military Academy Est. 1804)




Fresh out of the Hole:

October 6th 2010.jpg



Before Rinsing: (Put it in a pill bottle and caked dirt around it to hold the moisture in and stabilize until I got home)

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After Rinsing and lite brushing: (More Gilt on this button, will clean it slowly though to keep from damaging)

Front:
October 6th,2010 010.jpg


Back: (Backmark: SCOVILL Mg. Co. 1850-1865)


October 6th,2010 007.jpg



Video:










1780s-1800s King George III Half-Guinea Gold Coin Counterfeit




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(Photo of real George III Half-Guinea)

geot.jpg
geotf.jpg
(Photo of another Countefeit)



MD Pics 924.jpg


MD Pics 925.jpg


MD Pics 917.jpg


MD Pics 923.jpg


MD Pics 926.jpg


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181? Matron Head Large Cent


October 6th,2010 004.jpg




New York Cuff Button (Still has alittle crud on it that I'll have to clean off, should clean up nice)



MD Pics 942.jpg



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http://upload.youtube.com/my_videos_upload



GROUP SHOT (Including 1862 Fatty Indian, Nice Gilted Flower Button, Eagle "A's" and other campsite finds...)



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Upvote 0
Re: Amazing Site:1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

{Sentinel} said:
CRUSADER said:
Nice bunch of finds. :icon_thumright:

Its likely not to be a counterfiet but an early 19th Century Gaming piece (token). Popular for card games etc.. :icon_thumright:
Although, mostly in brass or copper-alloy, so a slim chance.


It could be. Guess there's no real way to tell though being as I'm sure there was ALOT of counterfeit coinage passsing around here in the colonies. I can say that this coin is struck very well and without seeing one of these gaming pieces I wouldn't be able to tell for sure.


Ironman! said:
Amazing site indeed Josh! Congrats on all the great finds!! :hello2: You have my vote also for banner and once again I still think you and Jeff need to have your own banner up top! :headbang: Stellar button!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep up the great finds!! I hope to share with some finds made out west in the near future also.

Larry

Larry, you're a gentleman of the first order and I always appreciate your nice words and comments. As for your near future finds, I know that if its out West, I have full confidence you're gonna find it man! :icon_thumleft: :wink:
http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/18thctokens.htm

I have found quite a few gaming pieces, they are fairly common over here.
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

:hello:

Empty your PM box :icon_thumleft:
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

:hello:

Those are really fantastic finds Josh :notworthy: The Spade half Guinea is proberby a Gaming Token :P It wouldn't pass of as a Gold coin because of the weight difference, which you would notice straight away :-\
but that aside it's still a Rare find I would have thought for your part of the World :notworthy:

SS
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

Silver Searcher said:
:hello:

Those are really fantastic finds Josh :notworthy: The Spade half Guinea is proberby a Gaming Token :P It wouldn't pass of as a Gold coin because of the weight difference, which you would notice straight away :-\
but that aside it's still a Rare find I would have thought for your part of the World :notworthy:

SS

Hey Colin, I'll be happy if its an early 1800s Token or a counterfeit either way....However, this site has a clear Half-Guinea counterfeit listed about three-quarters of the way down that looks identical to the one I dug :icon_scratch: That's one thing about this coin, its pretty weighty and not light weight and cheap feeling like most tokens are :icon_scratch:

http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/B/Base Coins.htm
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

{Sentinel} said:
Silver Searcher said:
:hello:

Those are really fantastic finds Josh :notworthy: The Spade half Guinea is proberby a Gaming Token :P It wouldn't pass of as a Gold coin because of the weight difference, which you would notice straight away :-\
but that aside it's still a Rare find I would have thought for your part of the World :notworthy:

SS

Hey Colin, I'll be happy if its an early 1800s Token or a counterfeit either way....However, this site has a clear Half-Guinea counterfeit listed about three-quarters of the way down :icon_scratch: That's one thing about this coin, its pretty weighty and doesn't feel like a token at all. Feels pretty heavy for its size.

http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/B/Base Coins.htm
:icon_thumleft:..better using this site mate :wink:

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=23417&cat=207

SS
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

Silver Searcher said:
{Sentinel} said:
Silver Searcher said:
:hello:

Those are really fantastic finds Josh :notworthy: The Spade half Guinea is proberby a Gaming Token :P It wouldn't pass of as a Gold coin because of the weight difference, which you would notice straight away :-\
but that aside it's still a Rare find I would have thought for your part of the World :notworthy:

SS

Hey Colin, I'll be happy if its an early 1800s Token or a counterfeit either way....However, this site has a clear Half-Guinea counterfeit listed about three-quarters of the way down :icon_scratch: That's one thing about this coin, its pretty weighty and doesn't feel like a token at all. Feels pretty heavy for its size.

http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/B/Base Coins.htm
:icon_thumleft:..better using this site mate :wink:

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=23417&cat=207

SS

Thanks Colin and indeed, I use this site alot (I think Cru might have hooked me up with a link to it last year) but just mentioning that I've seen a couple sites that have George III Half-Guinea counterfeits is all......but like I said and have to agree with you, its pretty cool whether a token or a counterfeit, especially for the U.S. :icon_thumright: :wink:

I emailed the author of "A Thousand Guineas" to see what he thinks about it, hopefully he'll let me know something.
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

{Sentinel} said:
Silver Searcher said:
{Sentinel} said:
Silver Searcher said:
:hello:

Those are really fantastic finds Josh :notworthy: The Spade half Guinea is proberby a Gaming Token :P It wouldn't pass of as a Gold coin because of the weight difference, which you would notice straight away :-\
but that aside it's still a Rare find I would have thought for your part of the World :notworthy:

SS

Hey Colin, I'll be happy if its an early 1800s Token or a counterfeit either way....However, this site has a clear Half-Guinea counterfeit listed about three-quarters of the way down :icon_scratch: That's one thing about this coin, its pretty weighty and doesn't feel like a token at all. Feels pretty heavy for its size.

http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/B/Base Coins.htm
:icon_thumleft:..better using this site mate :wink:

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=23417&cat=207

SS

Thanks Colin and indeed, I use this site alot (I think Cru might have hooked me up with a link to it last year) but just mentioning that I've seen a couple sites that have George III Half-Guinea counterfeits is all......but like I said and agree with you, its pretty cool whether a token or a counterfeit, especially for the U.S. :icon_thumright: :wink:
Yes still a great find, the ones I have found here are very thin, and one was actually Silvered :dontknow: pity there wasn't a bit more left on the Obverse we might have seen some official letters under the bust :-\

SS
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

Man you touched all the bases on that hunt!!
Love the button, and the coins! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
REB
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

Silver Searcher said:
{Sentinel} said:
Silver Searcher said:
{Sentinel} said:
Silver Searcher said:
:hello:

Those are really fantastic finds Josh :notworthy: The Spade half Guinea is proberby a Gaming Token :P It wouldn't pass of as a Gold coin because of the weight difference, which you would notice straight away :-\
but that aside it's still a Rare find I would have thought for your part of the World :notworthy:

SS

Hey Colin, I'll be happy if its an early 1800s Token or a counterfeit either way....However, this site has a clear Half-Guinea counterfeit listed about three-quarters of the way down :icon_scratch: That's one thing about this coin, its pretty weighty and doesn't feel like a token at all. Feels pretty heavy for its size.

http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/B/Base Coins.htm
:icon_thumleft:..better using this site mate :wink:

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=23417&cat=207

SS

Thanks Colin and indeed, I use this site alot (I think Cru might have hooked me up with a link to it last year) but just mentioning that I've seen a couple sites that have George III Half-Guinea counterfeits is all......but like I said and agree with you, its pretty cool whether a token or a counterfeit, especially for the U.S. :icon_thumright: :wink:
Yes still a great find, the ones I have found here are very thin, and one was actually Silvered :dontknow: pity there wasn't a bit more left on the Obverse we might have seen some official letters under the bust :-\

SS

I know, under blue light and a jewelers loop I think that I can see 1783 under the shield but then when I start to think that then I think its 1803...Its really bitter sweet when you find a copper that is just alittle too worn to really be able to I.D. well On another note.......where it was found is the same place we found the mid 1700s Philip V Pistareens at but dates back to the mid 1600s....Really old site for here.
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

SHAZAM!!! That NMA is absolutely incredible. Certainly banner worthy. Extremely happy for you -- my blood started pumping just looking at it. :notworthy:
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

kyphote said:
SHAZAM!!! That NMA is absolutely incredible. Certainly banner worthy. Extremely happy for you -- my blood started pumping just looking at it. :notworthy:
:thumbsup:
 

Re: Amazing Site:1783 KG III Half-Guinea Counterfeit & 1 of my best finds of year!

spectacular button! amazing finds! sweet!
 

Re: Amazing Site: 1783 King George III 1/2 guinea forgery & 1 of best finds of year!

kyphote said:
SHAZAM!!! That NMA is absolutely incredible. Certainly banner worthy. Extremely happy for you -- my blood started pumping just looking at it. :notworthy:

Thanks Kyphote, I thought that you'd be happy with this find! :wink: :) Thanks much for your support and I see some good stuff in your future! :icon_thumleft: :wink:
 

Re: Amazing Site:1783 KG III Half-Guinea Counterfeit & 1 of best finds of year!

Alot of great finds man.


There are more gold coins in your future man. You just know how to really track down some sites.

HH Jer
 

Re: Amazing Site:1783 KG III Half-Guinea Counterfeit & 1 of best finds of year!

:icon_scratch:

Supprised that this post hasn't made the Banner :dontknow: surely the Button with it's scarcity and Value..$1000 :o is worthy of a place :icon_scratch:

SS
 

Re: Amazing Site:1783 KG III Half-Guinea Counterfeit & 1 of best finds of year!

Silver Searcher said:
:icon_scratch:

Supprised that this post hasn't made the Banner :dontknow: surely the Button with it's scarcity and Value..$1000 :o is worthy of a place :icon_scratch:

SS
::) I agree with SS Why ??? doesn't cost nothing to Vote :dontknow: How many NMA buttons were dug this year ??? ... answer , only ONE :o :o :o :o :o
 

Re: Amazing Site:1783 KG III Half-Guinea Counterfeit & 1 of best finds of year!

Silver Searcher said:
:icon_scratch:

Supprised that this post hasn't made the Banner :dontknow: surely the Button with it's scarcity and Value..$1000 :o is worthy of a place :icon_scratch:

SS

:icon_thumleft: :wink:


CMDiamonddawg said:
Silver Searcher said:
:icon_scratch:

Supprised that this post hasn't made the Banner :dontknow: surely the Button with it's scarcity and Value..$1000 :o is worthy of a place :icon_scratch:

SS
::) I agree with SS Why ??? doesn't cost nothing to Vote :dontknow: How many NMA buttons were dug this year ??? ... answer , only ONE :o :o :o :o :o

Thanks Guys, these buttons pop don't pop up but every few years, if that.....I believe its the only Norfolk Military Academy button ever posted on TreasureNet :dontknow:
 

Re: Amazing Site:1783 KG III Half-Guinea Counterfeit & 1 of best finds of year!

what a bunch of wonderful finds there... would make my year too! keep pounding that site!
 

Re: Amazing Site:1783 KG III Half-Guinea Counterfeit & 1 of best finds of year!

Great historic finds there!!!
 

Re: Amazing Site:1783 KG III Half-Guinea Counterfeit & 1 of best finds of year!

I think you two have been bedding down with Lady Luck! :hello2:

BANNER nomination sent. And a BIG congratulations, on that Spectacular find, my friend!


-Buck
 

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