Metal Detecting Find: Nassau-Idstein 15 Kreuzer

Hello, i thought some of you may be interested in seeing this metal decting find. This is a coin i found a few years ago. It is a 15 Kreuzer coin from the German principality of Nassau-Idstein, dated 1692. A tiny principality later incorporated into the Duchy of Nassau if i am correct.
I found this in a footpath in the forest, at a depth of 15 cm. I had to do a lot of digging in hard soil!
The coin has unfortunately a piece missing, but due to the excellent condition, i think this is a mint-made error or fault. This is a real pity because this is actually a very scarce coin. I have only ever seen 2 at auction, and never in the condition this one is in. I think this coin was never actually circulated.
Hope you enjoy this,
Eduard

 

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Nice find!
It is a shame that we don't find those over here (in the US).

 

I wonder if the "damage" is the reason it never circulated. If I'm not mistaken, in those times, people still associated the value of the coin with it's metal content and didn't have faith in the issuing authority. Therefore, if a coin was missing part of it's metal, then most would not honor it at face value.

Just thinking out loud here.

 

gatxon, I agree, sound logic.
And that missing part sure looks natural to my eye.
But, then, what do I know?

 

Yes, that thought occurred to me too - somebody may have thrown it away. It is really a rare coin though, selling for 300 Euros in just Very fine or less. If it was whole........

Good detecting finds have become few and far between. There used to be a time when i would regularly come back with 5-10 coins - nothing fancy, but historically interesting stuff. Every now and then a roman coin (mostly in ghastly shape), or some minor silver (mostly from the Weimar republic), or some interesting relic. Nowadays not much. If i am lucky one or 2 coins, but nothing amazing. Still a lot of fun though. I just need to go further out. I really can complaint though, i have paid my detector back many times with the items i have found, and there is always the hope that the next beep tone will be the one.
Tres, what kind of stuff do you find? have you found a gold coin yet? That is the holy grail. If you have not, stick with it, and you will. Need to go to places where people gathered in years past, or where they travelled through. I loath to think how much lies buried now under cement and concrete. I will hit a new forest tomorrow where i never have been before (if my wife and the kids allow), see how it goes.
Take care,
Eduard

 

Very nice Eduard :thumb:


My ancestors came to the US from Nassau (Dillenburg) in 1845 so it's always interesting to see coins from that area. Many of them are quite rare compared to coins from other 'German States' of the Holy Roman Empire.

 

Metal Detecting

It's too bad that there isn't a market for pull tabs, because I could retire on the one's I've found. I've been out a couple of times here in Panama City and have found several pounds of pull tabs, some fishing tackle, and one gold earing. I went detecting around my house and found several pounds of roofing nails, some shotgun shell casings, and some buried beer cans. I have yet to find any type of coins.

 

AnemicOak, your ancestors went a long way...That must have been something that trip from central germany to MN. I admire anybody who did that back then. It is not so bad around here anymore though, if you don't mind paying > 50% taxes, and eternal bad weather (and talk about more taxes).
You are right about Nassau coins. They are quite scarce, particularly the 5 and 10 kreuzer coins of the napoleonic era. It is a thrill to find any coin at all. I found a 2 pfennig 1906 this afternoon, and a ladies metal comb that must be at least 100 years old. I always wonder how these things got lost.

Mbynack, don't give up. Florida has to have some old spanish coins somewhere. Go where the people used to go. Try deserted beaches. I find a lot of garbage too, but i still go out. Stick with it.
Take care,
Eduard

 

old german states coins are a personal favorite of mine, what a great find!!!

 

Just don't give up!
You have plenty of tourists down there, and they lose plenty.
Go to popular beaches, at off times.
Also, shoot for low tide, lots of stuff gets lost in the water.

 

great find. how much does a metal detector cost?

 

There is a market for pull tabs. 50¢ per pound for aluminum by me.

 

Spock:
You can go for a cheapie for about $100.
But--
Go for a White's.
You will be much happier.

Check out either the XLT or the DFX.
Both great machines.

 

Thanks Frank now all i need is a partner in crime

 

sign me up!
Just got my DFX back from a tune up!

 

I can a recommend a Garrett. I had a GTA 1000 for 14 years......never once failed. It paid for itself many times over. The newer models are even better, and VERY easy to use.

 

cool as soon as spring comes we will head out

 

:thumb:

 

Eduard,

That is a very nice, historical and rare piece! I did not have a metal detector when I was stationed in Germany but now wish that I would have had one. I visited and saw a lot of old historical sites and ruins in the four years and 3 months that I was there.


Frank

 

If you're looking to buy a metal detector, I highly recommend Kellyco (kellycodetectors.com). They typically offer bundle deals on most of their detectors, so you can get a pin pointer, carrying case, digging tool, etc. for free.

I just ordered a Minelab Xterra 50 last week...