Metal detectorist Mick Crawford discovers 1754 Dutch East Indies coin in Tasmania

Mick Crawford was metal detecting with his son when he stumbled upon a unique artefact of Tasmanian history.

A metal detectorist has found a Dutch East Indies coin in Tasmania, pre-dating colonisation in the state by almost 50 years.

Key points:

Mick Crawford found a Dutch East Indies 1 duit from 1754 while metal detecting with his son

The coin pre-dates colonisation in Tasmania by almost 50 years (1803)

It is one of five 1700s coins Mr Crawford has found in the stateMick Crawford was metal detecting with his son when he stumbled upon a unique artefact of Tasmanian history.

"So, when I found it, I knew it was old, just by the look of it. However, it wasn't a design that I'd ever come across," Mr Crawford said.

"I had my little boy with me, and I was sort of like, 'I don't know what the hell this is'."

The coin that caught Mr Crawford's eye. (

Facebook: Mick Crawford)

The coin is a copper 1754 Dutch East Indies 1 duit, pre-dating colonisation in the state by almost 50 years (1803).

It's one of five coins from the 1700s Mr Crawford has found, but is by far the oldest.

"I found it was a 1700s coin, which are like hens' teeth in Tassie," he said.

"I just thought it was pretty special and interesting and too good not to share."

A Dutch East Indies 1 duit from 1754. (

ABC News: Luke Bowden)

Mr Crawford is one of many detectorists in Tasmania who use metal detectors to look for artefacts.

"It's like fishing, you never know what you're going to catch; if you put in the time and the effort, then you can get some pretty cool stuff."

He believes the detecting community in the state is bigger than people may realise.

"We're the second oldest state of Australia, so we've got some really awesome, fascinating history," he said.

Mr Crawford shares a love of old artefacts with his son, Teddy. (

ABC News: Luke Bowden)

Common coin, unusual locationTasmanian coin expert and amateur historian Roger McNeice said, while it was a "common coin", it was "unusual to be found in Tasmania" and a "wonderful find for them".

Mr McNeice explained the coin shows the link between the colonies in Tasmania and Indonesia.

"The coin itself was used by Dutch overseas trading companies for use in Dutch territories and colonies in Asia," he said.

"They were circulated in Tasmania, but not for legal tender. It's been brought into the colony and dropped by somebody at some stage."

While a fascinating find, Mr McNeice said the coin won't bring instant fortune.

"In the condition it has been found in it would probably be only worth four or five dollars; in good condition, they're probably worth 10 to 15 dollars."

Profit not the aim of the detecting gameMr Crawford said searching for items to sell them is a common misconception of the detecting hobby.

"The stuff we find, a lot of the times is pretty invaluable, but has awesome history.

"It's a hobby that I use to have a collection, and something to look at and reminisce over.

"The best thing about it is the mystery involved. You just never know the story, and you never will know the story, but your mind just wonders so much about where, what happened to it."

Mick Crawford's vast collection of treasures from his prospecting hobby. (

ABC News: Jacinta Bos )

A hobby throughout the generationsMr Crawford started detecting from a young age, when his mum hired a metal detector for him and his brothers.

"We just used to gun around our five acres and found some pretty cool stuff, which is where my original love for it came from," he said.

"Then when I stopped playing footy and cricket and had kids, I needed something mindful to do, to get out of the chaos. But now it's great, because I can take him (his son, Teddy) with me."

Mr Crawford also shares his passion for the past with his students, running an 'archaeology and relic retrieval' elective at Woodbridge School.

"The notion of finding treasure is so alluring for little kids, they just love it.

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