The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 29, 1905

An Old Coin is Found Here

Mrs. Henry Preston While Raking up in the Yard Makes the Discovery.

Lost a Quarter of Century

Bit of Money Bears Date of 1808 and Shows Head of George III, on One Side With Irish Emblem on Other Side – Is Well preserved.

While clearing up in the yard Mrs. Henry Preston of this city, found an old English copper cent that had in all probability been lost there for more than a quarter of a century. The date of the coin was a little indistinct, but could be easily made out and showed that it come from the die of 1808. It bore on one side the head of George III and the date and on the other the Irish emblem.

The Prestons have been on the place where the coin was found for more than fourteen years and it is certain that it was not lost by them. the place was purchased by Mr. Preston from Mrs. McNeilly, who was a resident of Fort Dodge thirty-five years ago and who owned the place up to the time that it was sold to the Prestons. It is the supposition that the coin was lost by her.

While the piece is an old one, this is not the remarkable feature of the story. The fact that it has lain so long on the surface of the ground undiscovered to turn up after a quarter of a century or more is the strange circumstance.

When found the bit of money was so dirty and filled that it could scarcely be recognized as such, but was easily cleaned and is in a fair state of preservation. The head of King George III is especially clear and plain.

Tags: 1905, coin found, McNeilly, Preston