An amazing hunt with some rare colonial coppers and 1812 relics.

Aureus

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Relic Hunting
Since my last post a week ago, I have managed to get out 3 more times. Most of the fields were seeded and the few that were not had farming equipment placed on them, ready to close my detecting season at any moment. I had to make every minute count and I'm very happy that I did as I have recovered some truly exceptional relics and coins.

One of my favorite finds was an absolutely humongous Lesslie & Sons 2 Pence token 1822 in a stunning condition for a 200 years old copper.
I'm not exaggerating, this thing is huge! Weighing 30 grams and measuring 40 mm in diameter, it's the largest coin to ever be minted for the circulation in Canada. A pretty rare and valuable coin in this condition.

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I personally never heard of it and really wasn't expecting to recover such an amazing coin on perhaps my last week-end hunt in the fields this season..Until I discovered my next find which in my eyes is even more stunning and certainly more historically significant.

Montreal British Militia button (1790's-1810's) At 30 mm. it's the largest military button I have ever found.

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The cool thing about it (on top of it being of an early Militia unit and having such a great conservation state for a dug example) is the fact that it was used as a currency in early 1800's. You can notice in the picture of its back that the shank has been cut off and the space flattened in order for the button to be used as a coin,closely matching the size of the British Halfpenny.
"Among soldiers constantly trying to stretch their pay, buttons were a favourite substitute for coins. Typically, the shank was removed from the back and the button was flattened before being placed into circulation".
Being at the same time one of the earliest Canadian tokens and an early military button the examples of it are part of both : The National Currency Collection of the Bank of Canada and The Canadian War Museum collection. It's featured in Charlton Coin Guide and is an other pretty rare and valuable coin/button from the same week-end :headbang:

Found a few other military buttons.

My first War of 1812 US Light Artillery 1st Regiment. Couldn't have asked for a better condition.

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US Artillery from the same period

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British officer's Sappers and Miners button - War of 1812


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A beautiful coat sized British Artillery 1830's and a cuff size example.

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Again, 1830's 71st Regiment of foot

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A few coins. Only two 1837 Lower Canada Halfpennies were in good shape.

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And an unexpected Flying Eagle 1858 in a way better condition than my previous example.

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A few nice relics. I really like the old religious pendant encrusted with amethysts or amethyst colored glass.

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And here's the pic of my largest and smallest coin of the week-end side by side.

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P.S. Added a pic of a Charlton colonial tokens catalogue. Guess what's on its cover? :laughing7:

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Thanks for the comments.
 

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Upvote 67
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Those are some Amazing Artifacts & Coins, what a superb time you had and I hope there will be more for you! As soon as I can figure it out I'm voting banner.........63bkpkr
 

Great finds (as always) Aureus! What a collection of buttons. I had no idea that they had been used as currency back in the day. That's a neat little factoid! Your FEC is in remarkably good condition. I've found three over the years, and they've all been in pretty rough condition.
 

Awesome group of finds in awesome condition for the most part. Makes me want to move to Canada....or at least take an extended vacation there once a year :laughing7:
 

Really nice recoveries. the buttons and coins are over the top.. That Flying Eagle is really nice. We don't find them that nice down here in the States.
Thanks Johncoho
The only other FE I have found was in US, in a much worst shape
 

Sometime during the day: “Well, time to add some stuff to my bucket list...”

[emoji444]doot, doot, doot, doo[emoji445]... click, click.

“Yep, there it is. Aureus’s post this week... I need one of those, and those, and those, and those...and those...”
 

Wow. I am almost speechless. Every item is rare and in good condition. Amazing hunt sir! Thank you for sharing.
 

Aureus, WOW...what a couple of outstanding hunts. The condition of your finds is amazing considering that some of them have been in the ground almost 200 years. Your Leslie and Sons token is stunning in its condition and size - especially when compared to the Flying Eagle. You truly hit a couple of treasure holes. Thank you for posting your finds and story. Good luck with your hunts. Walt
 

Must be hard to think about closing your season after a hunt like that.

Actually I prefer it this way. Having a good season ending hunt and than finding some new hobbies for the summer. I'm looking at the detectorists hunting in Europe, they must have it hard. Not being able to know when to stop and take a break as some fields over there have two plows a year on top of whem not having a real winter.
 

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Wow that is a monster token and it’s in great shape.
The Montreal British Militia button/coin takes the cake thou.
It’s like finding the missing link to the first tokens.
Great finds

Yes, absolutely, that's what it is, a missing link. Couldn't have asked for a better token honestly.
 

WOW just plain WOW!!! I think for finds like that I would really contemplate hunting all year round, rain snow sleet or shine I would be elbow deep in the dirt! I wish my local area would turn out goodies like that! A big CONGRATS to you!!

Thanks Finder Bear. Unfortunately I can't really hunt all year round unless i buy a sledgehammer. But actually having a possibility to take a break is a blessing in disguise.
 

I’m voting banner
Enough said
 

Totally wonderful finds. Whenever I read a post from Aureus it is sure to have cool finds with info! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Underwonder
 

That's a years worth of great finds!
 

Holy Wow Cow Man! Congratulations on those amazing finds!
 

Dang! I mean DANG! This is one of those threads where my jaw dropped. Great job.
 

I've never seen a c1822 Lesslie & Sons 2 Pence token before, what and amazing find Anton! :notworthy:
It's almost as nice as your 'Montreal British Militia' button find.

What a great hunt, congrats.
Dave
 

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