Bit of copper

Bit old,

 to be honest also tarnished.

I like to think it warms to my touch.

Minted in 1808,

 sank in 1809.

Recovered in 1985.

Long time in cold water.

Now,

 some wouldn't understand.

"It should be in a case!"

I can see their point.

 This little one is over 200 years old.

I take a different view.

Wouldn't you want to be held?

I let a piece of history breath.

Time for it to feel the air.

Reviews

[Lorry]

Beauty should be held and used, when we lock them inside a case, we take away what they were meant to be. Really like this one Jon, I like the perspective taken here, away from the norm of protecting the value, instead of enjoying it for what it is.

[Jon Roggie]

I wind up with oddball objects. I see no reason to hide them. I still like the Jim Beam decanter my dad was given by Frank Sinatra.

[Shannon]

One can live life or protect oneself from it. Rarely both.

[Jon Roggie]

I choose to live

[Shannon]

I've done both in my lifetime learned to alternate a bit....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the value in coins or other artifacts when we can touch the history in them...when we feel what they are...there is no monetary value can be placed on that...

[Jon Roggie]

Indeed. I have had this coin for over twenty years, and still keep finding new stories.

[Quinn]

Very beautiful poem and as a historian this also speaks to me very deeply. Good job!

[Jon Roggie]

Thank you. The coin was on the Admiral Gardner.