OLD coin...only cleaned a small portion, should I keep cleaing it?!?!

[grogmug]

I found this at a 1700's house site. Could someone please tell me what it might be. It's almost the size of a half dollar or large cent, has an eagle on the back and what looks to be the letters "SHIN". I've only cleaned a small portion of the coin but I want to know what it is before I touch it again!
Thanks...heres the pic...

 

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[Colonial Zoyboy]

Is it a copper or silver coin?

 

[baspinall]

Can you get a better pic? Both sides.

B

 

[Iron Patch]

Definitely need better pics. The corrosion looks like what appears on white base metal, maybe a counterfiet or token of some sort. If that is the case cleaning will be tough.

 

[Detectingfreak]

I would clean it if it was silver. If it is copper do not clean it! That messes up your coins!

 

[Iron Patch]

I would clean it if it was silver. If it is copper do not clean it! That messes up your coins!

I wouldn't rush to clean anything I couldn't ID.. especially if dug with 1700s finds.

As for copper ... All you have to do is let PA Kirk talk to em on the phone.... he's the coppa whisperer.

 

[grogmug]

It looks like an old 50 or 25 cent piece, but doesn't really look silver. It has a little corrosion and a VERY visible eagle with writing around the edges. I can make out the SHIN but I haven't cleaned anything else yet. It looks to have a little bit of redish tint. I guess its from being in the ground so long? Any other guesses to what it might be?

 

[Iron Patch]

It looks like an old 50 or 25 cent piece, but doesn't really look silver. It has a little corrosion and a VERY visible eagle with writing around the edges. I can make out the SHIN but I haven't cleaned anything else yet. It looks to have a little bit of redish tint. I guess its from being in the ground so long? Any other guesses to what it might be?

Don't have a scanner to get a better pic? Someone may know right off the top of their head but otherwise you will probably need a good picture of each side.

 

[Nick A]

Looks like a Mexican copper to me. The eagle looks like this pic.
Also check the photo in this eBay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1891-Mo-Centavo...goryZ541QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Iron Patch]

Looks like a Mexican copper to me. The eagle looks like this pic.

I was thinking the eagle faced the other way but that may be corrosion. If a match quite possibly a counterfeit reale.

 

[inneedoftherapy]

Looks like a Mexican copper to me. The eagle looks like this pic.

I cant be of much help here but that is a close call you have there I see the eagle (in my view) of having a more upright head with the lean more towards the left. rather than a right lean I am a novice and would clean it till nothing remains so stop before you hit that point nice find cannot wait to see the results

 

[Iron Patch]

Another possibilty would be an early 1800s military button and you see part of the makers mark on the other side. (an obvious sign would be a spot where the shank was)

Is it definitely a coin? (I think it is more coin like, just throwing out ideas)

 

[BuckleBoy]

When you said that there was writing on the edge--do you mean the rim or around the actual edge of the coin?

It could be a counterfeit (or heavily oxidized) Capped Bust Half...but I imagine you'd be able to ID a U.S. coin like that though...


We need better photos. Use the macro setting on your camera. Get a good light source.


-Buckles

 

[DougF]

Until we get a better pic, I'll make a guess - maybe one of the Washington tokens issued in the late 1700s. Several have an eagle on the reverse, and "shin" could be part of Washington. Most seem to be about half dollar size.

 

[PBK]

Well, since you're in Kentucky, I'll guess that it's this c. 1850 trade token issued by Taylor & Raymond of Louisville, KY,
and that the "SHIN" is part of the surrounding lettering "GENTLEMAN'S FURNISHING / STORE."

The token was brass, about the same size as a large cent, and had the same wreath design on the reverse, but with the words, "NOT ONE CENT / BUT JUST AS GOOD."

(Sorry, no pic of the reverse.)

​

 

[Kiros32]

Well, since you're in Kentucky, I'll guess that it's this c. 1850 trade token issued by Taylor & Raymond of Louisville, KY,
and that the "SHIN" is part of the surrounding lettering "GENTLEMAN'S FURNISHING / STORE."

The token was brass, about the same size as a large cent, and had the same wreath design on the reverse, but with the words, "NOT ONE CENT / BUT JUST AS GOOD."

(Sorry, no pic of the reverse.)

​

You never cease to amaze me, and you are always so "matter of fact" about it If this is what it turns out to be...that's a sweet find!!!

 

[N.J.THer]

PBK for President

Congrats on the find.

NJ

 

[Iron Patch]

This confirms the only thing I knew... which is the thought I had never seen one before. I'm a long way from KY.

 

[jorge del norte]

did you hear grogmug?............nice find PBK is the man..i would clean it and take a better picture......

 

[Felinepeachy]

Get out the Dremmel.