Need help Identifying Colonial Era Silver Coin Found at Native American Site

[Garandomatic]

New here, and hope that someone can help me figure out exactly what this is...

When I was a kid, every time we plowed the fields, my dad and grandpa would take me arrowhead hunting. Between the three of us, we amassed an interesting collection of points and other artifacts, usually pre-1492, as far back as Paleo. In a bottom field on the farm (SE Ohio) I found this sticking out of a plow cut. It's about the size of a dime, very thin. A few ears ago I thought I found another coin on the internet with similar markings that led me to believe that it is French, and from the 1600s. Out of curiosity, I have tried to definitively ID it, but without luck. I took these photos with my phone, but can scan it for higher resolution after the weekend is over. Native Americans around the farm would have had trade contact with British and French, but as extensive as the trade networks they had were, I suppose it could even be Dutch or Spanish, though I think I see a part of a Fleur de Lis on one side.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[Molewacker]

Welcome to Tnet - there's real sharp folks here on coins, so keeping fingers crossed for good ID after the egg hunts. Hoppy Easter!

 

[coinsareawesome]

Early 1/2 Real, probably from Mexico, made until 1771. If I'm not mistaken, your's looks like it says 1753.

 

[Garandomatic]

I wasn't sure about one side (the visible crown definitely looks like a 1754 example I googled), but the more I look at it, the more I agree. Now this is even more interesting... How a Mexican coin turned up in a southern Ohio field...

 

[Garandomatic]

I'll get some better pictures, too, and orient the side that should have the date accordingly. I always struggled with identifying it because it was so worn that I had a hard time determining which side was up.

I know Spanish coins were used in early America, but to my knowledge, my people never had a dwelling in that field, and if I recall the deed history, we got the place in 1813, so it would have been a bit after heavy use of Spanish coins, I think. Amazing. I see the "53" now, too...

 

[Mackaydon]

Welcome to Treasure Net !!
Looking forward to seeing more pics of the coin.
Don....

 

[DCMatt]

It is my understanding that Reals and other 'non-American' coins were legal tender in the US until @1857. I have also read that many reals were so worn from circulation that you couldn't tell what they were and they continued in use for decades after being outlawed.

I'll get some better pictures, too, and orient the side that should have the date accordingly. I always struggled with identifying it because it was so worn that I had a hard time determining which side was up.

I know Spanish coins were used in early America, but to my knowledge, my people never had a dwelling in that field, and if I recall the deed history, we got the place in 1813, so it would have been a bit after heavy use of Spanish coins, I think. Amazing. I see the "53" now, too...

 

[Mackaydon]

DCM,
Right ! The Coinage Act of 1857 outlawed Mexican coinage but their usage continued for years due to at least two reasons: (1) The shortage of US coinage during the our Civil War and (2) the reliability of Mexican coins to retain their exact fineness of silver.
Don..