Rare gold coin from 1420s discovered in Newfoundland, Canada

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SUMMARY

Edward Hynes discovered a rare Henry VI quarter noble gold coin, minted in London between 1422 and 1427, while metal detecting on the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. This coin, older than Canada itself, raises questions about its journey to North America, as it was likely not in circulation when lost. Previous discoveries include a silver coin from the 1490s, possibly linked to John Cabot's expedition. Experts speculate on various theories regarding the coin's origin and its potential connection to historical events.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of medieval English currency, specifically the Henry VI quarter noble.
  • Knowledge of early European exploration of North America, particularly John Cabot's voyages.
  • Familiarity with metal detecting techniques and treasure hunting ethics.
  • Awareness of archaeological significance in historical coin discoveries.
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  • Research the historical context of the Henry VI quarter noble and its significance in medieval England.
  • Explore the details of John Cabot's expeditions and their impact on North American history.
  • Investigate metal detecting best practices and legal considerations for treasure hunters.
  • Examine other significant archaeological finds in Newfoundland and their implications for understanding early European contact.
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Historians, archaeologists, treasure hunters, and enthusiasts of early North American exploration will benefit from this discussion.

Astronuc
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Edward Hynes was scanning the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, with a metal detector when he got a signal. He dug a hole and found a shiny gold object.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/old-gold-coin-nl-1.6646200

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article268781432.html
Hynes later reported his disinterred treasure to the government, according to the release, and a currency expert determined the coin to be a Henry VI quarter noble. It was minted in London at some point between 1422 and 1427, meaning it is more than three times older than the nation of Canada, founded in 1867. As to how the coin made the 2,000-plus mile journey from the old world to the new, experts aren’t sure, though they say it was likely not in circulation when it was lost.

Previoulsy, a silver coin minted in Canterbury, England, during the 1490s was found in Newfoundland during 2021. The was heralded as the oldest English coin ever discovered in Canada, and possibly North America. The silver coin could have been brought by John Cabot, an Italian explorer, who is credited with being the first European to travel to Newfoundland in 1497, or by someone in his expedition.

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/gold-coin-newfoundland-archeological-discovery-scn/index.html

Giovanni Caboto, or John Cabot, sailed in 1496/1497 from Bristol, England to the coast of what is now North America under the commission of Henry VII of England is the earliest-known European exploration of coastal North America since the Norse visits to Vinland in the eleventh century. Two subsequent voyages were made.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cabot

https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/john-cabot
Cabot had heard stories of fabulous cities in China, and he apparently wanted to sail west across the Atlantic Ocean to China.

Is it possible someone else visited Newfoundland first, or perhaps someone in Cabot's expedition had the gold coin? Would it be feasible to have someone carry a nearly 70 year-old gold coin?
 
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It's part of the Oak Island treasure that or some wealthy tourist showing it off accidentally dropped it, or the guy wants to get on Antique Roadshow, and someone gave it to him "to find" loosely based on real stories online.

oak island:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Island

watermellon sword:

https://nypost.com/2000/03/31/highw...-boots-pair-of-dealers-over-35000-sword-scam/

The best was the little girl who dropped her mother's engagement ring on a pier into the water, and the dad swam under the pier to rescue it, and he found it.

https://www.newsweek.com/engagement-ring-dropped-sea-mid-proposal-viral-toddler-child-1741162
 
Coulda been the coin-collectors' convention last summer.
 
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