12/6/23 Report - Detectorist Finds Ancient Gold Coin Depicting Christ. America's First Military Decorations and Older Medallions.

 

Written by the Treasureguide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

...Officials said a metal detectorist stumbled upon the artifact among the mountains in Vestre Slidre, Norway. It’s a rare discovery for Norway, and the seemingly out-of-place artifact appears to be in great condition, especially given its age. 

Photos of the coin show each side’s intricate carvings. One side depicts Jesus Christ holding a Bible, while the other shows Byzantine emperors Basil II and Constantine VII, brothers who ruled together, officials said...

Experts said the coin was minted during Basil and Constantine’s reign, likely sometime between 977 and 1025. The dotted circles bordering the coin indicate its age...  

HOW DID THE COIN MAKE IT FROM CONSTANTINOPLE TO NORWAY?

Experts have tried to determine how the coin ended up in Norway. One hypothesis is that the artifact belonged to Harald the Ruthless — the king of Norway from 1045 until 1066, according to Britannica...

That is an interesting question, but I think very often people jump to the wrong conclusion.

Here is the link for more of the article.

Mental detectorist finds ancient gold coin depicting Jesus | Miami Herald

Thanks to SuperRick for the lead on that story.

And here is related link: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article282649388.html#storylink=cpy

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Recently I got into the topic of medals, medallions and awards.  

What was America's first military decoration?

... The Fidelity Medallion is considered the oldest military decoration in United States history. Although Congress had authorized four gold medals and two silver medals prior to the Fidelity Medallion—gold to Washington in 1776, Horatio Gates in 1777, Anthony Wayne and Henry Lee in 1779, and silver to Chevalier de Fleury and John Stewart in 1779—the Fidelity Medallion was the first to be made and presented, making it the oldest. Thus, the first American military decoration did not go to an officer in the Continental Army but to three privates in the New York State militia, who were the only ones ever to receive it. Since it was never issued again, it became regarded as a commemorative medal...

The Fidelity Medallion is also known as the André Capture Medallion and Congress ordered it to be procured on November 3, 1780, for three privates in the New York State Militia—Van Wart, John Paulding, and David Williams. Two years after the capture of Major John André, George Washington presented the Fidelity Medallion to the trio in a ceremony at Verplanck’s Point, in Westchester County, in September 1782. Afterwards, Washington hosted the three militiamen at a celebratory dinner...

Here is link for more about the Fidelity Medallion.

The Fidelity Medallion - Journal of the American Revolution (allthingsliberty.com)

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But these kinds of medals go back way before America's first.  In fact, they were produced back in the Middle Ages.

Here is a link to see a good selection of older medals.

Selected Artworks | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)

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We're going to have some north winds and in a few days a little increase in the surf.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net