Check your trash metal carefully!

[Neil in West Jersey]

I went back to the site where I have continually found colonial artifacts and coins over the last few years. As I left, I was sure I got skunked. Not even an Indian Head!

As I was going through the trash I had found, I noticed the slight circular shape on this thin copper piece. I carefully brushed it and realized it is a keeper for sure. I have no idea what it is or it's age, but it is definitely old. It has a monogram on the top of the obverse, H.V.B. I cant tell for sure what the design on the reverse is, or what it means.

UPDATE: I did some research and found the land was owned from about 1690 until well into the 1800's by the Bates family, one of which was Hanna Bates. If this was her possession, it would date the piece circa 1725. She married in 1730
Does anyone have a clue what this object might be?

(Penny is for size comparison)

 

[cwilk]

I don't know what it is, probably an early for of snaphot for when some traveler got homesick. I'll assume those are mountains and not The Pyramids! It's really a great find for sure.

Chris

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

[quote cwilk]I don't know what it is, probably an early for of snaphot for when some traveler got homesick. I'll assume those are mountains and not The Pyramids! It's really a great find for sure.

Chris[/quote]

Perhaps that is an accurate guess. It could be an object dropped by a soldier, when the British were camped out before their march to Monmouth in in June of 1778 . I have found buttons and musket balls, but nothing that would confirm they are war relics.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Can't make it out. Any way to clean it up a bit without damaging it?

Bill

 

[awhitster]

I'm not sure what it is but it is old and cool. Maybe post it to a whatizit forum. Let us know if you find out.