Napoleon I pin or military badge or medal?

Zebago

Greenie
Feb 6, 2008
12
1
Maine, USA
Detector(s) used
Excalibur II, X-Terra 70 and Tesoro Tiger Shark
I found this Napoleon pin at a cellar hole while metal detecting. The cellar hole is on a 1870's map, but I don’t know how old it is. I dug it twice. I dug it last fall and gave up on it because the hole was tough digging and I don't have a pinpointer. It was driving me nuts not knowing what it was so I went back and dug it again. It was deep! Boy am I glad I went back and dug it. It says "Napoleon I" on the front and "Colonial" on the back. I don't know what it is made of. It looks to be copper with some kind of chrome plating because the silver plating can be flaked off. There seems to be remnants of an iron pin on the back which has completely rusted away. It is about the size of a half dollar. It also looks like someone used it as a screwdriver. Any ideas on what it may be?
 

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Wow, really nice find. Looks like a French Military pin or medal or even possibly a belt buckle like the last person posted. Unfortunately, I do not know much about these historic finds, but I think they are very interesting. I also posted a Napolean Medal on Feb. 3rd, but have not received much feedback. I found that Napolean medal on Dummond Island, Michigan, where the French occupied the island for quite a while, before the English took it back. Where, or at least what state, did you find Napolean. Really nice!!!! Congratulations.....

Laura ;D
 

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Thanks guys (and gals). I found it in southern Maine, USA. The site was an old homestead and all that remains is granite foundations and a well. There are also lots of stone walls surrounding the fields. I don't think there was any military activity on the site. If I had to guess it was a trinket someone brought home from a far away place. Also it seems to be too small to be a belt buckle. It is about 30mm(1 1/8") in diameter and only 1mm thick. It is not magnetic either. Thanks again.
 

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Doesn't seem to small for a buckle to me.
 

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Thanks guys. I don't know what it is, but my guess is that it is not a belt buckle. It seems to be a pin but I can't tell if it is a legitimate medal or a toy.
 

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