George II Half Penny found in foundation wall.

[Ed_DE]

I found a King George II Half Penny today when I was was scanning a fireplace foundation wall. It was a common practice to place a coin in the foundation of a newly constructed home to bring the home owner good luck. Not sure when the house was built. Probably around the late 1700 or early 1800's. I did scratch the coin when I removed it from the wall. I did some light cleaning on the coin to try to get a date. Maybe 1760?

Not sure if I want want to keep the coin or put it back at the house in the wall somewhere. I think about the person that placed the coin in the wall over 200 years ago would probably want it keep at the house.

 

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[pepperj]

Nice recovery from the stone works. Is the place still standing or just a foundation?

 

[Ed_DE]

Nice recovery from the stone works. Is the place still standing or just a foundation?

Just the walls of the house.

 

[pepperj]

Just the walls of the house.

I would put it on the top shelf myself.

 

[Red-Coat]

Cool find as a little piece of tradition.

I can't reliably read the date either, but it won't be 1760. The last year in which George II halfpennies were minted was 1754.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

A very cool story and a great find - well done !

 

[Almy]

Finding that coin in that location is neat! It's in pretty good shape, less worn than most I find in the soil. I'd definitely keep it. The one who put it there has no more interest in it!
The dates of KG II coins were 1740 to 1754.

 

[Red-Coat]

... The dates of KG II coins were 1740 to 1754.

No. George II came to the throne in 1727 and halfpennies were struck in every year from 1729-1754, with the exception of 1741.

It’s too worn to say if it’s ‘young bust’ (up until 1739) or ‘old bust’ thereafter but the King’s name was spelled ‘GEORGIUS’ rather than ‘GEORGIVS’ during the period from 1740-1745 and I see a ‘V’ not a ‘U’.

 

[ToddsPoint]

You should keep the coin. It’s part of that coin’s fate that you should find it. It used to be a good luck piece, but it’s treasure now. Treasure it!😎

 

[PetesPockets55]

How cool is that.
Congratulations on a very interesting find.

 

[Digger RJ]

I found a King George II Half Penny today when I was was scanning a fireplace foundation wall. It was a common practice to place a coin in the foundation of a newly constructed home to bring the home owner good luck. Not sure when the house was built. Probably around the late 1700 or early 1800's. I did scratch the coin when I removed it from the wall. I did some light cleaning on the coin to try to get a date. Maybe 1760?

Not sure if I want want to keep the coin or put it back at the house in the wall somewhere. I think about the person that placed the coin in the wall over 200 years ago would probably want it keep at the house.
View attachment 2192275View attachment 2192276

Very Cool!!! Congrats!!!

 

[oldmxrat]

That's an awesome find, congrats!

 

[djackson7348]

The coin chose you to find it so I would keep it. Besides, the one who originally hid it was probably laughing to himself as he thought about the expression on the guy who finds it in a hundred years or so.

 

[cudamark]

Look at it this way....If you put it back, either someone else will find it again at a later date and keep it, or, someone will buy the property and bulldoze everything into a landfill. Having the coin in your collection would be a better fate IMO.

 

[beepbleep]

That's definitely a keeper. It no longer serves a purpose there. Be proud you rescued it.

 

[invent4hir]

Wow, scanning the fireplace foundation wall, that is some due diligence! I'd keep it, unless you want the original owner to haunt you. On second thought forget that, and research who lived there at that time, then raise a toast to them.

 

[Ed_DE]

I’m going to keep the coin. I guess it’s no different than finding a dropped coin outside a house.

 

[billb]

Outstanding Achievement
Congratulations on your beautiful recovery
It’s the first time I’ve ever heard that custom before
Great post Ed and thank you for sharing

 

[Hunk-a-lead]

I found a King George II Half Penny today when I was was scanning a fireplace foundation wall. It was a common practice to place a coin in the foundation of a newly constructed home to bring the home owner good luck. Not sure when the house was built. Probably around the late 1700 or early 1800's. I did scratch the coin when I removed it from the wall. I did some light cleaning on the coin to try to get a date. Maybe 1760?

Not sure if I want want to keep the coin or put it back at the house in the wall somewhere. I think about the person that placed the coin in the wall over 200 years ago would probably want it keep at the house.
View attachment 2192275View attachment 2192276

great save, thanks for posting

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on a great find. I'm with the rest of the members, keep the coin. Whomever put that coin in the wall is long gone. It's not like its a religious memorial piece or family memorial of some sort. That place could be bulldozed over or even just backfilled and the coin would still be lost forever. You took the time to find it, now treasure it !