2015 CaneField Bandits Wrap-Up: What a Year

[BuckleBoy]

Hello All,

2015 was a great year for us, in spite of our limitations on detecting time the last two months due to weather and work schedules.

This year saw Shanegalang dig his first Southern Button: a Kentucky Military Institute coat button! 2015 also saw him dig his first plate, which was a masonic sword belt plate--and come close to digging another plate with the recovery of a partial set of puppy paws from the back of one. He also dug some killer coins (semi-key seated dime and a 1/4 franc silver coin from the 1840s), as well as a large, solid silver serving spoon.

This year DiggerGirl dug some great finds too, recovering a blazing seated half dime, her first three-piece general staff officer coat button, and a twin-heart coin silver ring from the Civil War-era--in the same field where I had dug a twin heart ring earlier this year. That field is the field where we proposed and became engaged to be married a couple years ago during a detecting trip, so these are very special finds, dug in a very special place.

In 2015 I continued by Big Silver streak by recovering a blazing Barber Half Dollar. I also managed to recover two Seated Quarters and two Barber Quarters. Strangely enough, I had not dug a Barber Quarter before two years ago, and now I have 5 of them. Funny how that works...

I was lucky enough to dig two very rare finds, a rare token 8-12 examples known--and only 4 to ever have been auctioned, and a second counterstamped Planter's Bank 8 Reales (75-100 known). The counterstamped coin made the finds banner here, but the token did not. Nevertheless, the token is the rarest find I have ever made (almost 25 years digging).

Before I show all the finds, I want to start with some photos "from the field," showing some of the highlights from this stellar year.























Starting with DiggerGirl's finds. She dug the least of us, due to busy work schedules. But when she did get to go, she did well, as her display case demonstrates:





Next is Shanegalang's fantastic haul of finds, starting with Civil War buttons, bullets, a pair of sword hangers, and some musketballs:



MORE FINDS BELOW IN THE FIRST REPLY!

[BuckleBoy]

More of Shanegalang's Finds: sword belt plate, silver coins, shield nickels, large cent, relics, and more:







And his stunning 1842-O dime!



And fantastic Kentucky Military Institute button!



And last of all, my finds. In many ways I consider 2015 a banner year. I bought a Whites Dual Field PI and had some success at the beach



But my best finds were on land. Mexican War officer's stirrup side plate in center (with eagle), spanish silver, stunning Barber Quarter, Civil War relics, and a Louisiana State University pocket watch fob (middle left).





From a very thin site, with little to offer, an ugly, holed, bent, plow struck Seated Quarter, a Barber Dime, and my first Goodyear Patent 1851 button.



From the front yard of my rental house, a silver Canadian Quarter and wheats.



Dug in Virginia with my mentor in the hobby, over the summer:



More display cases of finds:



Bingham Military School Cap Badge, Louisiana Civil War buttons, watch fobs, Barber Half, New York Button, bullets, silver coins, silver antebellum ring, trade beads and more:



My two best finds this year were both rare ones. Lightning struck twice with a counterstamped, quarter-cut 8 reales from the Planter's Bank of New Orleans. 75-100 examples known, and this is the SECOND one I've dug!






And the rarest find I've ever made, the J. Hall Walker and Walton hard times token. (est. 8-12 examples known)



Non-dug example and an auction listings for the finest example (picture) and an example that was worn smooth:





Here were the finds totals from my signature line. We were light on Spanish and Colonial this year, but heavy on military, Civil War, and Seated silver. Some outstanding finds all around, and some great "firsts" for everyone.

2015 CaneField Bandits Totals:
c.1812-1815 Planter's Bank Counterstamped cut segment of an 8 Reales (75-100 examples known)
1834 J. Hall Walker & Walton New Orleans Hard Times Token (8-15 examples known)
Kentucky Military Institute Button
War of 1812 Navy Cuff Button
TWO Louisiana Pelican Civil War Coat Buttons
TWO Louisiana Pelican Civil War Cuff Buttons
c. 1802-1808 Artillery Button
New York Civil War Coat Button
General Staff Officer's Civil War Button
Two Eagle "I" Cuff Buttons
One General Service Eagle Button
"In Hoc Signo Vinces" Masonic Sword Belt Plate
TWO antebellum coin silver "twin hearts" rings
Mexican War era medallion from an officer's stirrup
Bingham Miliary School Cap Badge
Two 1807's and an 1808 Half Reale
1835 Capped Bust Half Dime
1842 and 1845 1/4 Francs
1858-O Seated Quarter
1854-O (or 1855-O) Seated Quarter
1906-O and 1916 Barber Quarters
1839-O, 1842, 1842-O, 1857, 1876, 1887 and one dateless Seated Dimes
1842, 1849, 1853, THREE 1853-O's THREE 1854-O's, 1855-O, TWO 1857's, 1858-O, and 1860 Seated Half Dimes
1895-O Barber Half Dollar
1899-O and 1900-O Barber Dimes
1942, 1943, and 1957-D Washington Quarters
Dateless Braided Hair Large Cent
Antique Silver Ring
1867 and five dateless Shield Nickels
Two Sword Hangers
Civil War bullets: Minieballs, Maynard Carbine, .69 Round, Colt Pistol, Canteen Spouts, Sabre Belt Rig
IH's, Beefaloes, V Nickels, and GawGag
Two Tungsten Carbide Wedding Bands and a Silver Ring from the Beach


I can't wait to see what 2016 holds.


Best Wishes to all, and good luck in 2016!



-The CaneField Bandits

[gwdigger]

Lots of neat stuff in there.

[Vino]

Great job, and a fantastic year.
I know you haven't got out as much as you would have liked..
Here's to 2016.

[ironhorse]

Great bunch of finds and adventures you had!
Still looking forward to more from you !
Best to you and the gang, continued success!

[BigWaveDave]

Incredible...just incredible. Congrats to all of you on another amazing year!

[gwdigger]

Oh lawd. Forgot about that counter stamped cut Spanish. That is my fav right there. So crude, so beautiful, all at the same time.

[The Patriot]

Amazing year for all but you certainly had a horseshoe somewheres...Congrats and I hope next year is also a Stellar year

[hogge]

Still quite amazing that the cut piece with the counterstamp was the piece you found! Unreal! Nice post! Hogge

[cjon455]

Buckleboy, it was a great year for you!, buttons, coins, relics!, amazing all around, good luck in 2016

[BuckleBoy]

Great job, and a fantastic year.
I know you haven't got out as much as you would have liked..
Here's to 2016.

Good news is that we got out lots in early 2015. Hope to get out a lot this year.

Best Wishes to you, and good luck in 2016!

Buck

[BuckleBoy]

Great bunch of finds and adventures you had!
Still looking forward to more from you !
Best to you and the gang, continued success!

Thanks so much, ironhorse! I have really enjoyed seeing what you guys have found this year. Keep up the good work!

-Buck

[BuckleBoy]

Incredible...just incredible. Congrats to all of you on another amazing year!

Thanks, Dave!

[pepperj]

Good to see you're still kicking, and what a year it has been for you and the team. Congrats on the two headliners been the counter stamped and the token, both amazing finds and I guess lightning does strike twice.

[BuckleBoy]

Oh lawd. Forgot about that counter stamped cut Spanish. That is my fav right there. So crude, so beautiful, all at the same time.

I agree. It's like a little artwork.

Cheers,

Buckles