Was a farthing, now just a thing

[lenmac65]

Dug this farthing in an old farmfield. Came up as a 17 on the Equinox VDI. I was hoping it was a trime, but was glad it was at least a coin. Once home, I could see an impression of George II and Lady Britannia. I thought for sure it was going to clean up nice with a light toothpicking. However, the patina started flaking right off no matter how gentle I scraped. I panicked and decided to soak it in mineral oil, as I have seen some people have success with that method. Unfortunately, my preservation skills really stink, so I pretty much wrecked whatever was left of it. Still, I am happy that I could at least identify it, and that I did not get skunked. I think I might even see a little bit of the date; 1740 something, I believe. Hoping there is some Spanish silver nearby, as I have yet to find colonial silver. Thanks for checking out my post. Happy hunting.

 

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[Gaspipe]

I have a mason jar full of the same “things”.

 

[lenmac65]

I have a mason jar full of the same “things”.

Ha ha. I know the feeling. I probably have about 20 or so, and this is actually one of the better ones. I know I should be grateful to dig a Colonial coin regardless of condition, as I know people on the West Coast, for example, rarely get to dig something this old. However, it would sure be nice if these coins would come out of the ground looking nice once in awhile. It happens for some people on this site, but rarely for me.

 

[Jeff H]

Don't be so hard on yourself. If the dry cleaning didn't work as you hoped then likely there was nothing you could have done to get a better outcome. Certainly any liquid cleaning would have resulted in the same look you have now...if not worse. A farthing in any shape is a good find.

 

[Gaspipe]

Ha ha. I know the feeling. I probably have about 20 or so, and this is actually one of the better ones. I know I should be grateful to dig a Colonial coin regardless of condition, as I know people on the West Coast, for example, rarely get to dig something this old. However, it would sure be nice if these coins would come out of the ground looking nice once in awhile. It happens for some people on this site, but rarely for me.

Yup problem is most coppers out of old farm fields have not only been buried for several centuries but also have been subjected to years of fertilizer and the like .

 

[Wild Colonial Boy]

if its any consolation , breaks my heart every time, no matter how many time it has happened , at least theres a little raised detail left that still identifies the coin well enough

 

[tnt-hunter]

Congratulations on the farthing. The ground around here is really hard on old coppers and the few I have are in worse shape than yours. You just have to take what you can get and hope for better next time. Glad you were able to at least identify what you have. Stay safe and keep swingin.

 

[lenmac65]

Don't be so hard on yourself... A farthing in any shape is a good find.

Thanks. I know that sometimes there is really nothing that could have been done to save the coin, but I just thought this one was going to be different. I have seen some good cleaning advice on this site and I try to implement it, but I never get the results I see others get. Going to keep trying. Was cool to find a farthing though.

 

[lenmac65]

if its any consolation , breaks my heart every time, no matter how many time it has happened , at least theres a little raised detail left that still identifies the coin well enough

Thanks. It is heartbreaking everytime they come out slick. Although disappointed with its final shape, I was happy to get a firm ID. The reverse is not too bad, I guess.

 

[lenmac65]

Congratulations ..... Glad you were able to at least identify what you have. Stay safe and keep swingin.

Thanks. I am grateful for that. Stay safe and happy hunting!

 

[Vermont treasure hunter]

The date looks a little like 1744 or 1742 but I might be wrong.

 

[lenmac65]

The date looks a little like 1744 or 1742 but I might be wrong...

Hard to tell by the photo and in person, but I was thinking 1742... who knows...thanks!

 

[Steve in PA]

I have dug 5 KG II farthings, 3 Brittania and 2 Hibernia. Yours being Britannia, it is most Iikely a 1749, as are most KGII farthings found in the US.. A large shipment of the 1749 farthings arrived in Boston in late 1749. Three of mine are in about the same condition as yours.

 

[lenmac65]

I have dug 5 KG II farthings, 3 Brittania and 2 Hibernia. Yours being Britannia, it is most Iikely a 1749, as are most KGII farthings found in the US.. A large shipment of the 1749 farthings arrived in Boston in late 1749. Three of mine are in about the same condition as yours.

Very interesting. I have only found one other farthing, which was a 1749, I think, and in slightly better shape than this one. I will give it a closer look, as I suspect you could be right. Thanks!! (I just looked at some 1749 farthings on ebay. I can see how a 1749 could look like a 1742 on a blurry corroded coin like mine. I do think you are right about the date.)

 

[Erik in NJ]

Perhaps you'll take some solace in these words

 

[ToddsPoint]

Coins that old in the RED BOOK have a grade of AG...about good. Good enough to identify, which yours is. Much better than a slick piece of copper. Nice find! Gary

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Yes, at least you were able to ID the coin - congrats !
It's much better than finding a completely worn smooth "UUO" (Unidentified Underground Object).

 

[lenmac65]

Coins that old in the RED BOOK have a grade of AG...about good. Good enough to identify, which yours is. Much better than a slick piece of copper. Nice find! Gary

Thanks... I would say mine is AAG, almost about good. The reverse looks okay, but I really had to tilt that coin just right to see King George. Oh well.

 

[lenmac65]

Yes, at least you were able to ID the coin - congrats !
It's much better than finding a completely worn smooth "UUO" (Unidentified Underground Object).

Thanks! I agree, much better than an UUO, which I have way too many of.

 

[Steve in PA]

If it makes you feel any better, take a look at look at a couple of these. Most of mine are worse than yours