5/29/26 Report - The Coin Find Identification Game. One Reader's Very Small Find.

 

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

1832 Half Disme
Find and Photo by Al C.

Yesterday I mentioned that I liked small finds because it means you probably aren't missing much.   Al C. sent this find he made in Virginia this year.  That is a very small coin.  I don't think you can find a smaller U.S. coin.  It is only 15.5 mm. in diameter.  Below is the reverse of the same half disme (pronounced half deem). 

Reverse of Same Half Disme.

Even in just very good condition a Capped Bust Half Disme would probably be worth over $100. and in higher grades, of course much more.

Below is more information on 1832 half dismes.

---

I was going to do something else today, but with Al's great find, decided to stay with coin finds.

Here is one.  Do you know what it is?

How about this one?

Here is the reverse of the first one.

Ok.  So it obvious now.  That one is a 1899 dime.

Here is the reverse of the other one.

So it is a 1938 French 50 centimes coin.  

And here is one more.

Let's see.  King George VI.  So what is it?

Here is the reverse.

Surprised?

It is a 1949 Hong Kong five cent piece.  Hong Kong has a complex monetary history and the story behind this one is quite complex too.

Issuer	Hong Kong (China)
King	George VI (1936-1952)
Type	Standard circulation coins
Years	1949-1950
Value	5 Cents (0.05 HKD)
Currency	Dollar (1863-date)
Composition	Nickel brass (79% copper, 20% zinc, 1% nickel)
Weight	2.5920 g
Diameter	16.5 mm
Thickness	1.5 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	31 December 1988

In the early 19th century, the British Empire sought to expand its trade with China particularly in tea.  However, the British faced a trade imbalance, leading to the illegal opium trade which sparked the First Opium war.  Following the war, the Treaty of Nanjing was signed in 1842, ceding Hong Kong Island to Britain.  The Second Opium War resulted in further territorial gains including the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories, which were leased to Britain for 99 years starting in 1898.

During World War II, Hone Kong was occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945.  After the war, it returned to British control and saw a significant influx of refugees from mainland China, particularly during the Korean war and the Great Leap Forward.  This period marked Hong Kong's transformation from a trade-based economy to one focused on manufactureing and industry.

---

Surf Chart from SurfGuru.com.

half
We'll have another dayy of calm surf. Good time for some shallow water hunting.

For the most part, I'd call those UFO siting unidentified dots. That's about it for me.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net