Foreign Coin Feature : Myanmar (Burma)

[LuckyB]

OK I like a foreign coin, especially if it is silver, so I was pleased when this little one popped out of the ground yesterday. I really like one that requires a bit of effort to identify it and I especially like it if it lets me start a thread for a new country! So well pleased!

This is a 1 Mu from Myanmar (Burma) issued in 1853 under the ruler Mindon Min who was the last of the Konbaung Dynasty who ruled between 1752 and 1885. From the bar on the back it looks like it has been incorporated into a bit of jewellery probably because of the peacock design. I’m not complaining as it adds to the history of the coin and gives me a little bit extra silver. Mine weighs 1.65g (originally 1.45g) and is 16mm diam, so about the same size as a Victorian 3d.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces19494.html

Found with the Manticore and the 11” coil on some pasture, 3” down, VDI a messy elongated 65 on the centre line. ATG, Sensitivity 25, Recovery 5, Ferrous Limits Upper 4 Lower 0, All Metal On, Audio Theme Enhanced and Medium Profile, Stabiliser 1, Stabiliser Filter Off.
As always, thanks for looking.

[ManOnTheMoon]

That coin has certainly travelled far. Given the coin's age, it is not entirely surprising to see it recovered in the UK, as Burma became a British colony 1886.

The (broken?) silver tab soldered across the back of the coin reminds me of the sort of fixing found on tie pins. Does anyone here think the coin might have been modified for some other ornamental purpose?

[LuckyB]

Yes I can see how a tie pin could be a possibility, cheers

[fred]

More likely a 3 coin brooch with the bar for additional support. The cut at right angles is to give the clasp something to be keyed on to when it' was soldered in place.

[ManOnTheMoon]

More likely a 3 coin brooch with the bar for additional support. The cut at right angles is to give the clasp something to be keyed on to when it' was soldered in place.

Ah, I see! What likely pattern would the three coins have been arranged in, fred? A line of three, or a triangle? It sounds liks you may have seen examples of this sort of brooch?

Perhaps LuckyB can confirm this, but I am wondering if the "cut" that you refer to, at the right-hand end of the horizontal tab or bar, is actually indentations left behind in the narrow, raised (silver?) solder 'blobs' i.e. where the very ends of further short tabs/bars, have pulled out of the solder used to fix them perpendicularly to the coin?

[fred]

Ah, I see! What likely pattern would the three coins have been arranged in, fred? A line of three, or a triangle? It sounds liks you may have seen examples of this sort of brooch?

Perhaps LuckyB can confirm this, but I am wondering if the "cut" that you refer to, at the right-hand end of the horizontal tab or bar, is actually indentations left behind in the narrow, raised (silver?) solder 'blobs' i.e. where the very ends of further short tabs/bars, have pulled out of the solder used to fix them petpendicularly to the coin?

Three coins in a line is most common but they can sometimes be quite intricate and it could also be part of the catch from a bracelet. Just search coin brooches and bracelets to see examples. What it actually was will determine what the cuts were for so you'll probably never know for sure unless you find the reast of it.

[LuckyB]

I think part of a 3 coin brooch is the most likely, I've looked at a few and a flat bar and catch is pretty common. I did search around it when I found it but it will definitely be worth 15mins next time I'm in that field.

[LuckyB]

Screenshot_20250220_160333_eBay.jpg

MOM here are some that are on sale on ebay

[ManOnTheMoon]

Thanks, LuckyB and fred, I'm learning new stuff!