the banks of the New River, around 265 years ago.
Spanish Coin from 1756 on Display at Alleghany Historical MuseumThis silver, Half Reale coin, minted 265(!) years ago in Mexico City was traded and worn by one of the last of the indigenous people before white settlers appeared in force on the Blue Ridge. It was drilled to be worn on a necklace or some other type of adornment, and it is very rare- likely, the first of its kind to be found in Alleghany County.
The milled coin measures just under 3/4 of an inch in diameter. It was minted during the reign of Spanish King Ferdinand VI, and features a coat of arms with two lions and two castles, a classic symbol of Spain. The inscription, VTRA QUE VNUM means, “Both are one.” It appears around a crown over two hemispheres linking the Old and New Worlds together.Information from CoinQuest.comhttps://coinquest.com/cgi-bin/cq/coins.pl…
