My top two finds of 2008

[Brian in MA]

Now that there is 16 inches of snow out my window I can safely say my 2008 season is over !!!

I spent pretty much the entire year hunting for Colonial-era finds and had a great year... I dug lots of coppers, buttons and buckles, etc....

Below are my top two finds of not just 2008 but of my 30 year career....

The first pic is a colonial-era mourning ring dated 1747. It reads: B. Walley ob. 21 JAN 1747 Aet. 23

This translates to B. Walley, died Jan. 21, 1747 at the age of 23. Through research I have determined that B. Walley was Bethia Walley of Boston & Ipswich, Mass. I’m also pretty certain I know who was wearing the ring when it was lost. The Walley family was a very prominent family in the Boston area from the 1630's through the 1700's.

The ring has a makers mark of Hurd. Jacob Hurd was also a very prominent goldsmith/silversmith of that era.

With out a doubt, the most interesting item I have ever found as it truly is a piece of our local history.


The second pic is a 1662 Oak Tree Twopence. This coin is part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony 'Tree Coin' series that were minted by John Hull in Boston from 1652 through 1682. Truly, the Holy Grail of finds for treasure hunters in the New England area. This coin is tiny, it is smaller than a silver U.S. 3-cent piece.

I had been dreaming of finding one of these coins for years and the dream came true back in August !!!! Here's the link to that post: http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.p...ic,174227.html

Thanks for looking...

Brian

[time4me]

If you found nothing else in 2008 but these two items, it would make for an incredible year. It certainly would have been my best year ever!

Congrats on two very special historical items.

Jim

[dazoff]

Amazing finds and great research. Dan

[The Bulgarian]

Absolutely awesome finds,Well done.

[civilman1]

How can you not forget that Coin Brian....The ring is incredible as well.Beautiful Dig's to say the least.Happy Holiday's to Ya!!!

[BuckleBoy]

Not too many posts I drool over--but THOSE are incredible.

I guess I'm getting jaded in my old age. :P


Thanks for breaking me out of it. Wow.

[dave-enc]

brian congrats on 2 truly once in a lifetime finds wtg
hh
dave+bobbie

[treasuredog]

Great finds and thanks for showing them off to us. Makes you wonder,what you are going to find next year! Happy Hunting!!!

[seger98]

That ring is an awesome find! Congratulations!


Chris

[johnreb1980]

Those are some nice finds.

[phantomfinder]

Love the gold ring,wtg

[history hunter]

Those are amazing finds! HH

[River Rat]

Congrats on those finds, Brian. Best wishes for many more in '09.

RR

[Pentico]

The gold ring is truly amazing!
A piece of history you found.
If that ring could talk, I would love to hear the story.
Congrats on a great year.

DN

[BomberJohn]

Wow! Absolutely amazing. Fantastic finds. Congratulations. Very cool! Love this hobby.

[Brian in MA]

The gold ring is truly amazing!
A piece of history you found.
If that ring could talk, I would love to hear the story.
Congrats on a great year.

DN

Well, the ring can't talk but the internet sure can. Researching this person has been a very fascinating adventure. I know about as much about her family than I do about my own.

I can't overstate the importance of research and how it can lead you to treasure and help you identify it once you find it...

Thank you all for the replies... I'll never forget these two finds !!!!

Happy New Year's everyone !!!

Brian in MA

[Natman]

Brian those are fantastic finds We can only dream of finding something like that here in the midwest!

You've sparked the imagination of people here enough to make them want to go out in the snow and ice with pick and shovel.

Happy New Year,
Nat

[t-bucket]

WTG and congrats on all of your finds !!!!!

[RONC(OR)]

Nice finds Congrats

[crazyjarhead]

That's a great story and find too