Sir Francis Drake was a very famous English pirate and in 1579 he supposedly left a brass plate with an inscription and an English sixpence coin of Queen Elizabeth in Northern California to claim the territory for her. In the 1930's a similar brass plate was found and the finder sold it to a University of California professor. This plate was on display for years at the University's Bancroft Library. It was later discovered to be a fake manufactured by members of a historical club as a hoax.

Silver, 27 mm, 2.75 gm, Catalog: Seaby 2561, Third Issue (1561-1577)
Obverse:
Crowned head facing left
ELIZABETH D G ANG FR ET HIB REGINA
(Elizabeth by the Grace of God England France and Ireland Queen)
Pheon symbol (downward arrow at top, London Tower Mint)
Reverse:
Long cross and shield with arms of England and France
POSVI DEV ADIVTOREM MEV (I have made God my helper)