Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.
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| Source: See MexicoNewsDaily link below. |
The United States returned a collection of over 3,500 pre-Hispanic copper coins to Mexican authorities in a ceremony in Miami on Monday.
The coins were used in what are now Michoacán and Guerrero between the years 1200 and 1500, according to Jessica Cascante, spokesperson for the Mexican Consulate in Miami.
A U.S. collector acquired them in Texas at a numismatic fair in the 1960s, she said, but at that time neither Mexico nor the United States was part of a UNESCO convention that guarantees the return of such heritage artifacts to their countries of origin...
Cascante did not divulge the name of the collector who obtained the coins in the 1960s, but said that he did so before it constituted a crime and turned them in voluntarily...
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/us-returns-3500-copper-coins/
They call these coins, and they were used like coins, but it seems they evolved from tools that were bartered to being used as coins with a fixed value. Columbus, on his fourth voyage, encountered native traders carrying a large stack of these, and Cortes described the natives using trajaderos in the 1520s.
One source values the "hoe money" or "axe money" at 8,000 cacao seeds. Another source describes the four of the tajadero as being worth on reale. The items are unmarked and seem to vary in weight and size.
The shape varies with the location and what you see at the top of this post looks like it might have been from West Mexico.
Similar tools seemed to evolve in proto-money in different parts of the world including, for example, China.
Here is a good resource for more information about "hoe money."
http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Hoe%20Money%20of%20the%20Americas%20-%20Martin.pdf
I'd be glad to hear of anyone who can point to any examples being found on shipwrecks.
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Ring and Coins Found by Joe D. On New Years Day.
Photo by Joe D.
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Here is how Joe described his hunt.
I went out this morning (Jan. 1) before sunrise again! I was determined to start the New Year right! Since the inlet beach is now ruined, i went South a little to have a look! First beach was a total bust, and just a few pop tops after an hour and a half, and multiple passes! The pop tops where all in the shell line! I finally gave in and moved to another beach up the road!
A few swings in i got a little redemption with a small ring, missing the stone! I think it may be pewter; and not silver, due to the way it looked after cleaning! There are no markings, and it hard to say how old!
I only found several newer coins, pop tops, and lead fishing lures after that, and it was time to call it quits! But good enough for the New Year!
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| Ring Found by Joe D. |
It has a heart on each side of the setting, and it looks like the stone was heart-shaped.
Thanks for sharing Joe.
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Susan B. was researching Sharon's Roman looking coin and found the following nice site.
Here is what Susan said. Reverse: The coin (if it is real) is from Dacia. (See the word “Dacii” just beneath the line near the bottom.). Although it is somewhat the worse for wear, I found on Google Images a Reverse that is close to Sharon's coin.
Here is the link Susan provided.
Thanks for the research Susan. Everybody benefits from the research.
Just a little later I received a the following email from Sharon.
I took my coin to a coin dealer to be checked out. Unfortunately, it’s a fake electroplated Denarius Roman Coin. He said if it was real, it would be worth $50. So I guess I’m back to hunting, but for a gold coin this time.
Thanks for your help.
Sharon
Thanks for letting us know the outcome Sharon.
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I hope someone can help Iowa Steve with the marks on his ring (See yesterday's post.). Let me know if you can identify the language or anything.
The Treasure Coast surf is still small and the tides pretty flat. We will have some higher surf before long though.
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| Source; MagicSeaWeed.com |
