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 Replies: 24 / Views: 13,761 |
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Valued Member
United States
321 Posts |
Cool coin. I was at the coin club tonight and a man brought in one of the same date but different rev. Still, a very nice coin!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
870 Posts |
Wow - thread resurrected... I think this was my very first thread here!
That's cool satwxd! I saw one at the LB Coin show recently, and it reminded me how cool it really is. I have determined since that I'm pretty darned sure it's authentic, after playing with lots of old coppers. It's just corroded and has some gook on it.
I love these "real" coins. They're gigantic in your hand and have real weight to them. They feel so cool! You get the impression this thing was WORTH something back in it's day.
I just bought an Portuguese 1830 40 Reis from the same folks out of their $1 bin, and man is it cool. It doesn't look like much, it's just a giant worn out piece of copper, a lot like this. I really dig that. They're fun to play with! (Though the gun money doesn't get played with often.)
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
The "crud" shown on the Irish Gun Money Crown, looks consistent with deposits left when a coin has gone through a fire. As far as authenticity, I don't see anything that makes me suspicious. I just don't like to have coins that have serious problems in my personal collection.
You still have a coin with a real neat history behind it and take pride that not many collectors have these in their collections. Many have never heard of or seen Gun Money.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
870 Posts |
A fire you say, eh? That's interesting!! What makes you say that? At this point I had simply assumed it was dug.
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
I have worked several collections after a fire and this looks consistent with large cents I have seen.
For starters, the "crud" is usually something like plastic, cloth or similar flammable material next to it that burned and left these deposits. These are notable on the reverse in the crown and shield to the left of the crown. If you delicately chipped some of that off, the metal beneath will probably be reddish color from being hot. The same effect can be seen on the obverse between the horses front legs. Also, the pitting can be caused by heat or ground contamination. Since other factors look like fire damage, I first suspect pitting from excessive heat, but it could be a combination.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
870 Posts |
Fascinating - yeah, I was wondering about the red splotch on the obverse. Is it worth brushing a little acetone around one this one?
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
If you soaked it in acetone, some of the "crud" should loosen and maybe come off on its own. If that crown was mine, I would use a product called "Blue Ribbon" on it to loosen the crud, then VERY GENTLY, use a wooden toothpick to "encourage" more removal of the residue. "Blue Ribbon" leaves a slight film of protectant on the surface, so if intent was to get it slabbed, it would need to be removed with acetone. I like the protectant as it seems to inhibit further deterioration of the basic coin by rust or corrosion.
I don't do it and don't recommend it, but some "cons" will totally strip a coin like this, then recolor it in an attempt to pass it off as better than it really is. Just like anything else, if there is a buck to be made, someone will do it.
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Just for information sake, this Irish Gun Money has a real neat history behind it. I have completed a demomination type set (crown, half-crown, shilling and six-pence). I just submitted a paper to ANA about the history of this money. Don't know IF or WHEN it will be published in the NUMISMATIST, but I sure had a good time trying to find information about these coins or tokens. In about two months, I am going to the Valley of Boyne in Ireland to see the battleground where William of Orange defeated his father-in-law (James II) in battle. Since James II never regained the throne of England, these coins were never redeemed for silver, as had been promised. All Irish Gun Money except the crown had month and year of minting on the coin as a way interest could be calculated and redemption could be accomplished in an orderly manner. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
870 Posts |
WONDERFUL! Congrats on the article; I wish you the best! I'm not in any rush to resell this one; I kinda like it the way it is. I would probably use Verdi-Care or acetone if I was going to try to lose some of the crud. So, you're begging for it!  Post up some pictures of your set! =) I'd love to see it! |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
870 Posts |
That's awesome! What a great collection!
It's fascinating to watch the devices have elements copied around the world during the same period (or were copied from, rather) ... coins are such a "stylish" piece of art. =)
Great set! Thanks for sharing =)
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2891 Posts |
Williams army camped about 3 miles from where I live on his way down to meet James. An excavation during a road building project uncovered two bodies thought to have been two of William's soldiers - or more likely hangers-on.
I've often though it might be worth while metal detecting on my land (I own some) but never got round to it.
Interesting area of numismatics tho...
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Bacchus2: Might be worth hiring a detector. Much more valuable may be your detailed knowledge of the site.
May also worth a visit to your local museum. If relevent information exists, it would almost certain that they have it.
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New Member
United Kingdom
1 Posts |
Hi
Just like to say looking at this coin,it looks genuine,but I understand as to why you may think it is a forgery/fake. The actual issue of this coin is not a rare type so I ask myself why make a copy of a poor issue type it wont make any illegal monies. also by looking closely it seems to have had a patination that looks like someone has tried to clean of ,this will give the appearance of a pitted surface.
Regards
Mike
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1757 Posts |
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Replies: 24 / Views: 13,761 |
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Posted 06/17/2011 2:39 pm
