Aluminum Shards, Silver Lined Clod, And Tiny Coin... (guess the coin contest)
Riccar
Posts: 789
Due to my new work schedule, I’ve been able to get out for some good-ole night hunting after the kids are
in bed. These last couple weeks I’ve been able to get out for a few outings.
I was able to get back out to the spot where my recent Phoenix button came from and tried to see if I could
locate that area again. What a night… I got out there and it was so dark that I think I got lost a couple
times, was digging signals here and there, trying to find the Phoenix spot, and then I noticed my digger was
gone. I was thinking “oh well, I guess that means I should be going home.” I thought I’d try to retrace my
steps but couldn’t. I wandered around in the dark, tried to find the spot where I thought I last used the
digger, stopped, turned on my flashlight, and about 10 feet from me on the ground was my digger. OK. So
maybe I could stay a little longer…
This trip was an aluminum digger’s dream… I was finding aluminum shards everywhere! Among all these
crazy signals, I finally got one that had the sweetest tone of the night on my XLT. It was so clean sounding,
wasn’t bouncing and repeated the same exact tone from all directions. My machine said it was less than a
few inches down and I began to dig a circle around the target. I flipped the dirt out of the hole, waved the
coil over the pile, and got that sweet signal again. I pinpointed it to one dirt clod and could see some silver
sticking out of one side. So, I decided to have a little fun, and put the clod in my pouch and wait until the
next day to take pictures and share the pics with everyone here in the forum. This is what it looked like:
Well, after digging that sweet signal, and figuring I now had a silver coin in my pouch, I started to scour the
small area to see if there were any friends nearby. I must have dug a few more pieces of aluminum shards
when I got another clean, but lower signal. This signal was close to the surface and was reading about the
same range as a pull-tab. I kneeled down, moved the dirt, and saw a tiny, silver coin sitting there. After
pulling a Phoenix button close to this area, I was sure I was going to pick it up and see the Spanish pillars
on this little coin, but my assumption was incorrect. The first visible thing that I saw on this little coin was
an eagle. After checking it out, I knew what I was holding. Here is a picture of what it looked like fresh out
of the dirt (taken the next morning):
I had a ziplock bag in my pouch and knowing how tiny that coin was, that I needed to take extra care with
it. So, now I’m out there and knew that I had 2 silver coins and figured I could hunt for a little while longer.
After digging many more pieces of trash, I ended up deciding to hit the road and go home.
Here is a picture of what came out of my pouch the next morning. I figured I had dug about 96+% trash in
order to find two coins. (probably the norm if not slightly better for this site)
So here is another picture of the clod and the other coin. If you’d like, reply with a guess and let me know
what dates you think are on these 2 coins. I’ll narrow it down by telling you that together, these coins = 15
cents.
I thought this would be a fun post to share with everyone just in time for the holiday weekend (and fire you
up for some good hunting this weekend). I’ll wait a couple days and then reply back with a “clod opening”
post providing more pics as it opens, and then after some light cleaning, I’ll provide some close-ups of the
coins…
HH, and hope everyone has a fun, safe 4th of July weekend!
Rick
in bed. These last couple weeks I’ve been able to get out for a few outings.
I was able to get back out to the spot where my recent Phoenix button came from and tried to see if I could
locate that area again. What a night… I got out there and it was so dark that I think I got lost a couple
times, was digging signals here and there, trying to find the Phoenix spot, and then I noticed my digger was
gone. I was thinking “oh well, I guess that means I should be going home.” I thought I’d try to retrace my
steps but couldn’t. I wandered around in the dark, tried to find the spot where I thought I last used the
digger, stopped, turned on my flashlight, and about 10 feet from me on the ground was my digger. OK. So
maybe I could stay a little longer…
This trip was an aluminum digger’s dream… I was finding aluminum shards everywhere! Among all these
crazy signals, I finally got one that had the sweetest tone of the night on my XLT. It was so clean sounding,
wasn’t bouncing and repeated the same exact tone from all directions. My machine said it was less than a
few inches down and I began to dig a circle around the target. I flipped the dirt out of the hole, waved the
coil over the pile, and got that sweet signal again. I pinpointed it to one dirt clod and could see some silver
sticking out of one side. So, I decided to have a little fun, and put the clod in my pouch and wait until the
next day to take pictures and share the pics with everyone here in the forum. This is what it looked like:
Well, after digging that sweet signal, and figuring I now had a silver coin in my pouch, I started to scour the
small area to see if there were any friends nearby. I must have dug a few more pieces of aluminum shards
when I got another clean, but lower signal. This signal was close to the surface and was reading about the
same range as a pull-tab. I kneeled down, moved the dirt, and saw a tiny, silver coin sitting there. After
pulling a Phoenix button close to this area, I was sure I was going to pick it up and see the Spanish pillars
on this little coin, but my assumption was incorrect. The first visible thing that I saw on this little coin was
an eagle. After checking it out, I knew what I was holding. Here is a picture of what it looked like fresh out
of the dirt (taken the next morning):
I had a ziplock bag in my pouch and knowing how tiny that coin was, that I needed to take extra care with
it. So, now I’m out there and knew that I had 2 silver coins and figured I could hunt for a little while longer.
After digging many more pieces of trash, I ended up deciding to hit the road and go home.
Here is a picture of what came out of my pouch the next morning. I figured I had dug about 96+% trash in
order to find two coins. (probably the norm if not slightly better for this site)
So here is another picture of the clod and the other coin. If you’d like, reply with a guess and let me know
what dates you think are on these 2 coins. I’ll narrow it down by telling you that together, these coins = 15
cents.
I thought this would be a fun post to share with everyone just in time for the holiday weekend (and fire you
up for some good hunting this weekend). I’ll wait a couple days and then reply back with a “clod opening”
post providing more pics as it opens, and then after some light cleaning, I’ll provide some close-ups of the
coins…
HH, and hope everyone has a fun, safe 4th of July weekend!
Rick
0
Comments
Mary
1904
Jerry
hahahaha... you cracked me up Mary.
I guess it just depends on what type of kid we were... did we like the anticipation of the Christmas presents, or was it torture?!
A couple more days and I'll post the details...
Dates? no way...
1887 Dime
And I know if it were me I'd be chompin at the bit to get um cleaned up.
= 1836 Bust half dime
The other must be a dime, obviously, but is it a Bust dime?
I'll go out on a limb and say it is.
And whether it is or not, I will also say
BTW, I salute you for having the patience to leave the coin in the clod for the pictures- it makes them more exciting.
But now the vicarious excitement is killin' me.
PS- if it is a Bust dime, I will guess it also to be an 1836.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised to see a Seated dime from the 1850s, perhaps an 1853 Arrows.
Nice work Rick!
I'm hoping the other is a Bust as well!
When I first looked at the coin in the clod, I could barely notice the foliage/wreath that is seen on the back of a Barber/Seated dime.
And, 2nd clue:
There were less than 200k minted during that year.
OK, drum-roll... Here's the first cracking of the clod:
The teasing tactics work well on me... particularly the last two pictures... giving some clues but still presenting a challenge as for exact ID'ing..
Let's see... after tweaking the images in photoshop...
I guess that it's an 1880 Seated Liberty dime.
(That one easily qualifies for the "below 200k" limit, but I'll guess that you're trying to throw us off the scent by stating a limit several times higher than the mintage!
I'll say 1888.
I love detecting the old places... even if I don't find anything, I figure at least I was placing myself in the
right spot. Keep in mind, there have been many-many-many times when that happens (that I don't find
anything). Demodigger and I have gone out countless times and I think there's only been one time that
we've been out together when one of us found a seated and several times we've found Barber coins ...
but we keep hitting those old spots because that's where they'll be found. (but 20+ "modern" silvers in a
couple weeks is a blast too - right DD?
I know I could find more money clad shooting, and sometimes I'll do that. I also get out and love the thrill of
finding the jewelry (that my wife really loves to see me bring home
most is when I'm able to hit the super old places. I enjoy the hobby even when I don't find anything... to be
able to "touch" history, wander around those old paths that were used generations ago, and have my mind
wander in "time travel fashion" is what I enjoy the most. Once in awhile, during those sessions, I walk
away with something I consider incredible, but even if I don't, it was still time spent enjoying the sights,
sounds, and time imagining what we can only read about in the history books.
Imagine this: that bust dime most likely traveled out to CA using some form of horse related travel. The
person that held it lived a much rougher life than we do today. It was in a pouch or a pocket... from clothes
that didn’t come off a rack. It sat next to many camp-fires that prepared "grub" (never saw a fast food
restaurant). It was probably brought by one of the earliest CA settlers (very few bust coins are found in
CA... think about the timing). The previous owner must have been rough, tough and determined. The
owner saw Indians. The related thoughts go on and on... And... I get to hold that little piece of history in
my hand. It sat in someone else's hand years ago and saw these things I can only imagine. It also sat in
the ground for generations waiting for me to pick it up. These thoughts are incredible to me and these get
my mind to race. I could've found enough clad to buy a similar coin, but it's just not the same experience for
me.
These are the things I enjoy the most about the hobby. I know others enjoy the hobby just as much as I
do (if not more), but their focus is different than mine and they may be at a different stage. I still enjoy
reading the posts from those with another focus because I can relate to their excitement when they hit their
goals. OK. I'll get off my detecting soap box...
Here's the dime that was in the clod:
1861-S Seated dime
Both coins after some light rinsing:
And, a group shot after a light e-zest bath:
Hope everyone is able to get out this weekend and get that thing they enjoy most out of this hobby!!!
I tried to catch up to you yesterday, Rick. I did well and broke my silver slump, but didn't get anywhere near you.
It's possible on the site I'm hunting, though. There's always tonight...
<< <i>Mercy me, somethin' tells me that sigline trophy gallery is gonna get even bigger soon... >>
No doubt and deservably so.
Man, I was way off guessing that dime's age.
I myself too not much of a clad hunter but that doesn't mean I don't pocket clads when I find them. Considering the city I live in which was formed late 1800's, there aren't much of older relics to be found yet. I have found several Barbers but not yet cracked the dirt for any older silvers. Hopefully I will find a Seated or two here one of these days.
I am Looking to Buy California Tokens too.