New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

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What in the world is it?

rgmcbrid		Posted : Monday, 29 August 2011 11:01:31 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC) Posts: 583 Location: Southland Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)		I think what this new section needs is a 'What is it' thread for all those odd unidentifiable things we find. I will start with this little badge thing I found yesterday, it is about 15mm wide and appears to say 'Fransi' and has the date 1936. I looked on google and can't figure out what Fransi is, a name? Brand of equipment? Horse? no idea. rgmcbrid attached the following image(s):
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nzpoohbear40		Posted : Monday, 29 August 2011 11:34:10 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 14/07/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,482 Location: Matura Thanks: 26 times Was thanked: 384 time(s) in 329 post(s)		definatly french i think...lol...but dont quote me on that..
		Chris - Fisher Dealer http://www.puiakisupply.co.nz/

rgmcbrid		Posted : Tuesday, 20 September 2011 1:02:31 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC) Posts: 583 Location: Southland Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)		Any idea what the coat of arms is? Who would wear such a badge? rgmcbrid attached the following image(s):
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Goldnut		Posted : Tuesday, 20 September 2011 1:25:36 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 2/08/2011(UTC) Posts: 461 Location: Auckland Thanks: 48 times Was thanked: 95 time(s) in 92 post(s)		Are you sure that it is not "TRANSI" It is french for Transition...
		Fisher F2 11DD coil, Garrett Pro-Pointer ----> My Blog: http://goldnut.blogspot.co.nz
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rgmcbrid		Posted : Tuesday, 20 September 2011 1:33:21 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC) Posts: 583 Location: Southland Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)		Could be 'TRANSI' the T and A are hard to read.
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rgmcbrid		Posted : Tuesday, 17 January 2012 12:18:21 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC) Posts: 583 Location: Southland Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)		Found this coin in Christchurch this past weekend detecting with NZ Poohbear. I thought it was a 1 cent, because it is that size, actually a tad smaller, but it didn't look quite right so I took a closer look and is something else. There is an 04 on the back which I assume is from 1904, and the front(?) I can make out EDW which I took for Edward which would be about right for 1904. It is much smaller than a farthing so I am quite perplexed as to what it could be. Not much of a specimun, but it has me curious. Any ideas? rgmcbrid attached the following image(s):
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rgmcbrid		Posted : Tuesday, 17 January 2012 12:45:31 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC) Posts: 583 Location: Southland Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)		I think I answered my own question, I am fairly sure it is a 1902 Edward the 7th 1/3 farthing. 288,000 issued for use in Malta for only one year. Too bad it isn't in better condition.
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Lammerlaw		Posted : Tuesday, 17 January 2012 1:03:15 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		If it is a one third farthing for 1902 then the reverse should read - top line 'ONE THIRD' middle line 'FARTHING' bottom line '1902' ONE THIRD FARTHING 1902 Crown at the very top and a wreath from left hand side of crown right around to right hand side of crown. Width 15mm Edited by user Tuesday, 17 January 2012 1:05:16 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

rgmcbrid		Posted : Tuesday, 17 January 2012 1:19:56 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC) Posts: 583 Location: Southland Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)		I think that must be what it is, the little detail that remains matches pretty well and it is a bit smaller than a 1 cent wich is 17.5 mm. Too bad it isn't in better shape, seems to be a fairly uncommon coin.
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rgmcbrid		Posted : Tuesday, 17 January 2012 1:29:01 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC) Posts: 583 Location: Southland Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)		Couple of other interesting artifacts I found the same day were this Salvation Army pin and this button. Have not been able to find either on the web. rgmcbrid attached the following image(s):
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Lammerlaw		Posted : Tuesday, 17 January 2012 1:38:44 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		I think that the 1902 one third farthing may have been the last year of issue but they were issued on at least several other different years - 1827, 1835, 1844, 1866, 1868. 1876, 1878, 1881, 1884 and 1885 - to collectors not all that uncommon and not of high value either - I have the 1902 uncirculated here and it cost me a few dollars only. And quite correct about issue for use in Malta - all years of issue were for Malta.

rgmcbrid		Posted : Tuesday, 17 January 2012 1:53:45 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC) Posts: 583 Location: Southland Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)		Hard to believe that 1/3 of 1/4 of one penny isn't worth very much. To be honest I didn't know there was a coin below a farthing until today. Makes me think wages were not real high in Malta. Then a few years later they got bombed by Germany if I remember correctly.
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Lammerlaw		Posted : Tuesday, 17 January 2012 2:01:17 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		Originally Posted by: rgmcbrid Hard to believe that 1/3 of 1/4 of one penny isn't worth very much. To be honest I didn't know there was a coin below a farthing until today. Makes me think wages were not real high in Malta. Then a few years later they got bombed by Germany if I remember correctly. The one third farthing was not the smallest denomination either - the quarter farthing was! Yes Malta was awarded the George Cross for bravery - they never gave up and fought against the German military might against overwhelming odds, never surrendered and in the end won through with the help of a few brave fighter pilots and the British Navy and convoys which lost large numbers of vessels to risk the voyage to Malta with supplies..

oroplata		Posted : Tuesday, 17 January 2012 2:09:46 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered, Moderators Joined: 16/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,040 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 211 time(s) in 152 post(s)		I found a button yesterday made by the same company, but the front has 4 stars in the centre and "New Zealand Volunteers" around the outside.
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rgmcbrid		Posted : Tuesday, 17 January 2012 2:20:03 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC) Posts: 583 Location: Southland Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)		I have a 4 star one that says 'New Zealand Forces" but is was manufactured by a different company.
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rgmcbrid		Posted : Saturday, 3 March 2012 12:38:36 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC) Posts: 583 Location: Southland Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)		Found this pin yesterday evening. By the shape I am guessing it a rugby club pin. Is there such thing as 'D' rugby? Can't find anything like it on the interwebs. rgmcbrid attached the following image(s):
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