Has anyone ever found a coin on a Civil War site?

[EC.Mason]

This is just a general question. I have permission to detect the site of a large skirmish/ small battle. I was just wondering if finding Civil War era coins was a decent possibility. I've been trying to study up on Civil War soldiers pay and in what form they received their compensation. (paper or coins) This site will probably have more Confederate artifacts then the Union because they camped there for a few days prior to the fight. I'd love to hear from you veteran battlefield hunters on this subject. Thanks a lot for reading!

 

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[cntrydncr1]

I found a dateless indianhead. I've seen a seated coin a friend dug also. Definitely a decent possibility!

 

[CoilyGirl]

Never found one but its entirely possible.Sutler tokens were definitely more prevalent for currency though.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I have found a few.

 

[EC.Mason]

Thanks for the replys everyone. What kinds of coins did you find fyrffytr1?

 

[jamesbibb]

Indians, large cents, flying eagle cents, 3 cent peice, seated & bust coins. Reales

Seen several gold coins dug from camps

 

[EC.Mason]

Thanks James. What year were the reales from?

 

[ronr]

I have found over 100 pre 1863 coins in CW camps. They carried coins and lost them every where they went. I dug a 3 cent piece yesterday in a 1862 camp.
Ron

 

[fyrffytr1]

Thanks for the replys everyone. What kinds of coins did you find fyrffytr1?

Old ones!

 

[fyrffytr1]

Old ones!

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I found a trime (three cent coin) a large cent that had my first and second initial stamped in it, a flying eagle cent and a couple indian heads. I may have found a few more in my 35+ years of hunting but these are all I can bring to mind right now.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Going back through some pictures I also found an 1840 half dime. I will get better pics before posting them all. Here is the large cent

 

[jamesbibb]

Thanks James. What year were the reales from?

Some are clipped early pistareens. Most are pillar type and bust type
1/2 reales.
Soooo thats 1730-1820ish

 

[Citiboy289]

Several coins here large cents and small 3 cent silver ----- About 40% were holed
Another collector said that they would hole the coin so they could string twine through it , put it around their neck , so it would wont be so easy to loose

 

[ekeisler]

I dug an 1847 large cent at a Civil War skirmish/campsite/training site.

 

[dnewbury2]

I dug a 1853 seated liberty dime in the Union cavalry camp at Gravelly Springs, Alabama.

 

[d2]

I dug 2 half dimes, 23 dimes and 7 quarters from a battle field. Dates went from 1836 to 1860. Found a "squared up" 3 ringer with them also. Someone threw their money down to keep the Confederates from getting it or lost it in the heat of the battle. One of my bestest finds...d2

 

[Davers]

I dug 2 half dimes, 23 dimes and 7 quarters from a battle field. Dates went from 1836 to 1860. Found a "squared up" 3 ringer with them also. Someone threw their money down to keep the Confederates from getting it or lost it in the heat of the battle. One of my bestest finds...d2

Were the coins all together in one hole or very close together?

 

[d2]

They were a place about the size of a pick up truck bed. They had been scattered about due to logging

 

[Davers]

They were a place about the size of a pick up truck bed. They had been scattered about due to logging

MAN. THAT"S A KILLER FIND ,Last year I dug 3 silver coins from the 1800s @ a Small Civil War US Cavalry, site 1 a holed 1827 half dime , a 1829 dime [both the Capped Bust Style] & a 1839 SL DIME IN vf cond, .. A spill or toss like yours I have dreamed about. [I really have dreamed about such a situation . Congrats on your find/ save and thanks for the reply. Davers

 

[d2]

Next time I get them out I will take a picture and post them again...d2