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 Replies: 40 / Views: 3,496 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
There might be a discussion on this subject, and I just haven't found it in all my reading on the forum so far. If so, please pardon my redundancy. I assume that coins with post mint holes (man-made) have no value in the coin collecting world; however, due to the history behind them, they fascinate me nonetheless. Yup - I'm a shade tree history buff. The two coins I'm posting were, reportedly, dug from a battlefield outside of Manassas, Virginia, and I find that fascinating. The story of how they got there is anybody's guess. Were they sewn to some soldier's clothing so he wouldn't lose them? Were they slave coins? Were they lost at an earlier, or a later, time than during the Civil War? The possibilities, to me, seem endless. I'm sure there some of the members - hope to die hard core collectors - who find no fascination in this type of thing, and see it as only a ruined coin, but I, for one, think it amazing. Especially when you consider the locale where these coins were retrieved. I like the idea of owning something that may have been on "active duty" during our own Civil War. Any constructive comments? Image: Half Cent /a .jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">  1849 Large Cent - 1829 Half Cent.jpg 11.87 KB Image: Half Cent /a - Reverse.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> 1849 Large Cent - 1829 Half Cent - Reverse.jpg 11.32 KB |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Hi Ralph
Cool Holed coins,, I have a few also,, probly my favorite is an 1870 1/4 dollar gold coin,, These coins were so small I think the hole was made to string them together so they would not be lost.
Rick
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1582 Posts |
Rick - cool! I've never seen a 1/4 dollar gold coin. Are they smaller than the Half Dime? That's the smallest denomination I own, and they're pretty small. Since we're on the subject of holed coins, I've another that has a perfectly square hole right in the middle of it - posting a photo. Someone suggested that it might have been used as a washer due to the fact that at one time washers cost more than one cent, and the large cents were used instead. Another suggestion - farmers used to nail a "lucky penny" in a newly built barn, and years back all they had were square nails - pretty big nail, though, to make such a big hole, huh? Granted, it's a ruined coin, but the imagination can work overtime. Also, there's a degree of rotation, and I believe the coin was cleaned at one time. Not that it matters - it's a holed coin. Image: 1846 Large Cent.jpg4.86 KB Image: 1846 Large Cent - Reverse.jpg5.49 KB |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
Both are keepers Ralph! The history behind them is one of the most fascinating parts of coin collecting. Found at Manassas? More than likely tied for good luck!
You could also imagine that it was an early version of a "charm bracelet" for a keepsake. More than likely CW era yes!
The 46 appears to possibly, maybe have an "exit wound" like a bullet hole. Although, bullets back then were quite a bit larger...who knows.
Square nails were made/used until roughly 1870. With that as historical reference I would also have to agree with the "good luck" assumption.
Great finds!
Edited by dsking
09/09/2006 11:30 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
954 Posts |
Don't you wish they could talk?  Bought this in a small shop, in a small town in Indiana. It cost me a whole $2.50, and he threw in the Half Dime because it was broken.  Don't you just love the square holes? Most of the coins look like they were punched instead of drilled.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Becky Nice string of Holed coins !!
Ralph the 1/4 Dollar Denomination coin is much smaller than a 1/2 dime,, I thought I had a picture of the coin ,but I dont find it in my files,, I will take another and post it here tonight.
Rick
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
Ralph, there are a number of collectors who specifically look for holed coins. I remember that there was someone on another forum (I think it was Collectors Universe) who had a jacket covered with holed coins.
I am moving this to the Main Forum for better exposure.
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Forum Kid
Kuwait
1523 Posts |
His name is LordMarcovan, AKA the Holey of Holeys.
I'm doing a major trade with him right now.
TKC!
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Valued Member
New Zealand
227 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
I have attached another holed large cent scan. The reason I did this being - this the first large cent I received for my collection. It didn't cost much - go figure - and it was minted exactly 100 years before I was born, so I thought it would be kinda cool to have it. Image: 1848 Lg Cent-Holed-Reverse.jpg4.97 KB Image: 1849 Lg Cent-Holed.jpg4.9 KB |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
Becky, great buy for 2.50, and, yes, I do wish they could talk - think of the history behind all those coins. The square holes were no doubt made with square nails, eh?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
Rick - way smaller than a Half Dime? Wow! Can you just imagine how many of them got lost due to their smallness? I have trouble even today when I reach into my pocket for something - when I pull my hand out change follows. Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing a photo of the one you spoke of. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
Susan - yes, I read somewhere about a guy with a jacket covered with holed coins - I think it said he wears it to every coin show he attends. And, now we know his name thanks to thekidcollector. Heck, people collect just about everything else, why not holed coins?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
Yes Debbie, I'm going to hang onto them, if for no other reason than the possible history behind them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
Cool Grouse - I, at first, thought that folks only holed the large cent and Half Cent coins back in the 19th century, but I see from your pics, and the one of Becky's bracelet that others were holed as well. Somewhat surprising considering the economy, and wages of say...150 years ago. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2177 Posts |
This is such a cool topic.  Yeah, if coins could talk! All the coins posted are really neat. I Agree, Becky that was a great buy. I've been too busy to go to flea markets or old shops. And I've been thinking about it for a while. Especially since cold weather will be here in no time and there will be less places to go hunting. Thanks for bringing up this topic Ralph. I hope we get more posts about this. Edited by thingee
09/09/2006 9:23 pm
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Replies: 40 / Views: 3,496 |
Posted 09/09/2006 11:16 am
1846 Large Cent.jpg
1846 Large Cent - Reverse.jpg
1858 quart.jpg
1858 quart r.jpg
1861 half d.jpg
1861 half d r.jpg
1848 Lg Cent-Holed-Reverse.jpg
1849 Lg Cent-Holed.jpg
