Friesland Copper Stiver

The Friesland Copper Stiver was minted using copper planchets that often came from recycled sources, like old pots or foreign coins, to keep up with wartime demands during the Dutch Revolt.

That makes for a coin that's as practical as it is unpretentious. Production varied by year and mint, with some struck in Leeuwarden featuring the Frisian arms—a rampant lion—while others bore simpler designs to cut costs. Weights fluctuated, sometimes by as much as 10 percent, which frustrated merchants at the time.

We don't know exact mintage figures for most years; records were spotty even then. What survives shows these stivers circulated widely in daily trade, from markets to ports, until the late 18th century.

If you're lucky, you might find one with a clear strike. Otherwise, expect the wear of centuries.