He hammers, forges and pounds metal into shapes of coins similar to those used by pirates and sailors maneuvering ships in the 16th and 17th centuries. Steve Lenhardt owns Black Spot Guild in Coldbrook, New Hampshire, but this week he demonstrated his metal works skills in Whale Park during Windjammer Days.

Lenhardt inquired to the Friends of Windjammer Days' organizing committee last winter about demonstrating his skills at the event. He believed his Spanish-styled coins would complement the theme of pirates and tall windjammer ships. "At first, I don't think they really understood what I did," Lenhardt said. "But, after they saw me work, they said, 'OK.'"

He described his work creating coins used 300-plus years ago as similar to those same historic pieces. "These are not replicas or identical to coins found three and four centuries ago," he said. "Yes, they have the same shape, size and weight, 27 grams, as coins did in those days, but mine have a few unique differences so they can't be called replicas."

Lenhardt uses fine gold and silver in his creations. He also provides a unique service few others do.  "I'm one of two people in the world, that I know, who use a forge, anvil and hammer to create these coins."

In his Granite State shop, Lenhardt designs coins poured and struck from .999 fine silver, as they were in the 16th and 17th centuries.