Button found from 1840 presidential campaign
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Renstrom has found a silver 1816 Spanish “8 Reale,” which was the precursor to the American silver dollar. Marked by two Pillars of Hercules on its back side, such coins were used in the American colonies and were called “pieces of eight.” The coins could be split into eight pieces called “bits,” and the expression “two bits” later evolved to represent the modern quarter.
The coin was found along with an 1840 button, which appeared to be a coat button, that was representative of former President William Henry Harrison’s presidential campaign. Both were found by Renstrom in Court Square as reconstruction takes place downtown and earth is exposed.
He is part of the city’s Preservation Council, which was established specifically for returning any historic objects found downtown to citizens, with the city of McMinnville retaining custody of the items. Since the construction project began last August, council members have found Civil War artifacts, bones and pieces of pottery.
Renstrom said the monetary value of the two objects, which pre-date the Civil War, is roughly $100. The reale, which is corroded but still reveals identifying characteristics, is worth about $40, while the brass button is worth about $60.
Only imagination can be used to guess how the objects found a final resting place at Court Square or even when, Renstrom said.
While not worth a fortune, the objects have a historical value that can’t be measured.
“It’s worth more than $40 as a historic piece because it clearly shows activity in this area – this is only six years after the city was chartered,” Renstrom said of the coin, adding the button makes one wonder why modern campaign pins are called “buttons.”
Rentrom added the objects will be donated to the city during the next Preservation Council meeting.