The Coins of Deadwood, S. Dakota
Author(s): Kevin D. Akin
Year: 2017
Summary
Coins can be very helpful in interpreting the physical remains found at historic-period sites. Their connections with economics, politics, cultural practices, and recreational activities can clarify obscure points that never made it into the historical record. Deadwood, South Dakota only dates back 142 years, but it is packed with history, and the people of Deadwood have become leaders in using their history to support their town. The coins from the old Deadwood Chinatown tell some particularly interesting stories. Analysis of the Asian and other coins from the site, begun in 2015 and completed in 2016, shows similarities to and differences from Asian coins recovered elsewhere in the American West. The finds include the oldest coin yet found in South Dakota, Chinese and Vietnamese coins used in playing fan tan, and Chinese coins used in talismans.
Cite this Record
The Coins of Deadwood, S. Dakota. Kevin D. Akin. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, Fort Worth, TX. 2017 ( tDAR id: 435351)
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Keywords
Geographic Keywords
North America
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United States of America
Spatial Coverage
min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;
Individual & Institutional Roles
Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology
Record Identifiers
PaperId(s): 631