Probably Seeing Things, but...

[Subterranean]

I found this copper disc using my White's Prism V at an older homestead site with a corral in Taney County, Missouri. I pulled it out of the rocky Ozark soil from about 6-7 inches down, with my first impression being, "Another tin can lid to take home and throw away." It sat at the bottom of my pouch for the remainder of the hunt until I was home, tossing the junk into the trash can. I pulled it out of the pocket and had a last-minute "it is heavier than a tin can lid" moment. I then saw engravings on one side, barely distinguishable but deliberately made.

I followed instructions found here on the forum for an electrolysis machine and built one. After about twenty minutes, I checked the disc and saw what I believe to be a remarkable resemblance to the 1851 painting by Emanuel Leutze, "George Washington Crossing the Delaware." Clearly visible were two cloaked figures standing in a small boat with an American flag flying behind them with the head of another figure visible near the flag pole. There is some kind of shooting star or sunburst pattern in the sky above the boat. Due to the bent edges being brittle, I chose not re-bend them back to the circular shape. In its original form, the disc would have been two inches in diameter and circular.

I have added a crude drawing of what I see in the disc. I hope it helps!

I may be an optimist, but it is an uncanny resemblance to the painting that was soon mass produced to the public in 1853. Any observations, opinions, and comments on what this would have been used for, attached to, decorated with, are always welcome.

 

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[Threshold]

hmmm i dont see it

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I see two guys in a small boat facing to the right.

 

[Subterranean]

Thanks Charlie P., I need to learn how to draw on the photos like you did here for me. That is what I see too. The engravings are faint and it is hard to photograph. Subterranean

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

MS Paint. Nothing fancy and free with any Windows system.

 

[werleibr]

Here are what my eyes picked up.

 

[mikusek]

My first impression was the three wise men, I see three figures, one partially obscured, palm trees, but what would they be doing in a boat.

My second impression was Washington crossing the Deleware with air bursts overhead, the boat fits in that one.

Can it be straightened out for a better look? Might have something else that isn't showing now.

Just took another look, there may be six or seven figures, looks like two seated, and one leaning forward towards the front of the boat. Here's an inverted look at it. The guy in the front leaning over appears to be holding a rifle.

 

[mikusek]

What I think I see as a third man to the left of the two obvious men standing, may be the American Flag. Here's what I see...... or think I see. It may help to unbend the object for more detail. I can't tell what is the engraving and what is a crease or crack. So the man in the front may be holding the pole to ward off the ice, instead of a rifle. You might try talc or flour to see if you can get it to settle in the recesses to make the detail stand out.

 

[mikusek]

I could be barking up the wrong tree, but that is what I think I see...... and I have barked up the wrong tree before, woof.... woof..., but I don't think you are far off with your thoughts on what it is. The sky is a little baffling, maybe meant to represent the stars and clouds, or perhaps God looking down on an endeavor He supports.

I have been looking at this, I think the hats are three cornered, maybe some detail is not evident, and the one that appears to be without a hat, may be wearing a hat and the detail just doesn't show.

 

[49r Relics]

I completely agree with your most recent pic. I can see all of those details as well. Absolutely awesome.

HH, Mark

 

[Subterranean]

Hello Mikusek, I really appreciate your investigation and intuition on this art work. I now see the third figure at the "front" of the boat with the pike pole or rifle, kind of corresponds with the soldiers in the painting pushing away the icebergs from the front of the boat. I guess I could try to slowly bend the disc back to a circular shape, but it may break. I would just display it broken then! I will try the talc trick too for more clarity. It is a mystery. Do you think it was created by someone to commemorate the famous crossing by Washington? Perhaps the 100 year anniversary? So many questions. I love this hobby! Sub

 

[Threshold]

I c it now lol

 

[civilman1]

I see it Keep us posted if you have someone look at it closer to verify,Very Cool piece and good eye.Most would have put it in the junk bucket

 

[mikusek]

In the small picture of the painting of Washington and Co. crossing the Deleware River, there does appear to be a pennant or streamer flying from the top of the flag pole.

 

[Nate in Ohio]

I see exactly what you're talking about but my guess is that it's random scratches. Kinda like picking out constellations in a sea of stars. You never know though!

 

[Curious The George]

Round, 2" in diameter, rim on it and the way the metal is formed it was dome shape at one time.. I'm thinking it is the cover of a pocket watch.

 

[Subterranean]

Round, 2" in diameter, rim on it and the way the metal is formed it was dome shape at one time.. I'm thinking it is the cover of a pocket watch.

Curious The George, I think that is the best explanation yet of what its purpose was, thanks! Was copper a metal used for "low end" pocket watches, or do you think it may have been plated at one time?

 

[Curious The George]

Was copper a metal used for "low end" pocket watches, or do you think it may have been plated at one time?

Usually cheaper watches were brass or another base metal, then copper plated and then silver or gold plated on top of that. Also the sliver or gold plate can be put directly on the brass. What you find with buried brass is that the zinc in it leaches out on the surface of the brass object and that leaves copper behind.

Lots of items that are found and called copper are actually brass with the surface zinc leached out and thus look like copper. If you find a small place you can scrape away the edge of the object you can then see if it is copper all the way through or brass. Copper being red or orange and brass being yellow.

 

[lost hunter]

 

[Monty]

Looks like the top to a "Merry Widows" can. Could someone have been keeping score on it? Monty