Bag of coins from 1700s plus Loyalist button

Z.K.

Bronze Member
Jun 16, 2015
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1,412
The Grants
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Hi there. This is my first time posting…finally had something really worth sharing. I had a pretty incredible experience last weekend.

About a mile into the woods of Vermont on what I believe is an old wagon road I discovered all of these finds within about a 1000 square foot area, in less than three hours. It was the experience I had always dreamed of. I found a Royal Provincial loyalist button about 10 minutes before discovering a spill of coins about 30 feet away. The "spill" actually included 4 coins still in the leather pouch that originally contained them all...12 in total, 3 stuck in clumps. I have to say, I’ve never before experienced a thrill quite like I did when I realized it wasn’t just one coin, but a pouchfull! My hope was that they were large cents or colonial coppers.

It turns out that of the 12 coins, 7 were identifiable and all are British halfpennies. Three dates are legible: 1723 (George I), 1729, and 1730 (George IIs). Edit: one of the remaining coins was identified in Sept as a 1694 William & Mary halfpenny.

Before this, I had detected quite a bit as a new hobbyist two summers ago and found 2 mercs and a WWII Victory Medal; the latter was special as my maternal grandfather was a WWII Pacific theater combat vet and I myself work for the VA. Afterward I grew frustrated with endless pulltabs and trash, especially since I have so little free time, and nearly gave up the hobby. But watching inspiring videos and having a thirst for treasure and history drew me back, with a new detector (AT Pro) and new approach (research!). This is just my third time out this season!

Prior to this, the most I had ever hoped for was a silver from the late 1800s. But this experience just blew me away, and taught me things that a 19th century silver couldn't. This find has made me far more curious about the history of my area and New England, and given me a totally new perspective on how deep and enriching this hobby can be.

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy the pictures, and I look forward to connecting with members of this community.
 

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Chizzy

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Feb 11, 2015
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First post and a banner find!!
Great job on the research, the dig and the perseverance to push through...........!!
 

Carolina Tom

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Apr 4, 2014
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Welcome and WOW. Very well done.
 

Loco-Digger

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Jun 16, 2014
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Outstanding find. Some people have all the luck, Congrats on pulling all those old coppers.:thumbsup: Living in Ohio I dream of joining the 1700's club.
 

McClod

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Jun 14, 2013
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Oregon
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Z.K. That's one heck of a way to get on the board LOL! Congratulations on an amazing find, and colonial on top of it!!! Welcome to Tnet. Man, if I had waited until I found a colonial fond (or even 1800's) No one would ever know my name here, fact is I expect most don't anyway as I don't make many nice finds, my "claim to fame" hehe are 2 barber dimes and a no date SLQ! I'm afraid the closest I'll ever get to a banner find is if I find somebody's party banner in a park.

I really enjoyed reading the story of your find! It sure does make a person think about how that pouch of coins came to rest where you found it 2 centuries later! Congrats and I hope you keep hunting now that you got a taste of the real old good stuff!
 

xr7ator

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Sep 2, 2011
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Great story and finds!

Thanks for sharing, grats to ya and HH ALL.
 

Captain Caveman

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May 14, 2015
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That is AWESOME!!! Congratulations!!! :hello2: :icon_thumleft: :hello2:
 

CoinandRelicMan

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Apr 3, 2011
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Sweet story there and great find for sure !! :occasion14:
 

BVI Hunter

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Apr 8, 2013
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Banner from me!:thumbsup:
 

kingskid1611

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Feb 23, 2015
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Holy Moly! I have yet to have that kind of find and to make it my first post. Congratulations in spades! Oh and BTW Welcome to this outstanding place to share all those wonderful finds like that in the future.
 

OP
OP
Z.K.

Z.K.

Bronze Member
Jun 16, 2015
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Wow, what a positive group of people! Thanks so much for the sharing the joy.

As an update: I'm splitting the coins with the landowner, who is a good friend and is also now very interested in starting to detect :) . We're working out a good plan moving forward to share other finds, as, unless I just got lucky enough to discover, in 30 minutes, the one spot where something extraordinary happened (an encampment? a skirmish?), we're looking at about 2 miles of completely unexplored colonial wagon trail, 2/3rds of which is on his property. That trail was already lost to memory by the time the big survey of my area was done in 1869. There is reportedly the foundation of a tavern out there...can I just say that it is tough not to call in sick right now?

Also, I plan to lend the RP button to my local historical society for display in their museum. Feels like something that should be shared with the public to hopefully inspire other people's sense of wonder.

Thanks again for the warm reception, and HH! Will keep you posted...
 

digging440yrs

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Dec 5, 2012
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A W E S O M E :thumbsup:
 

46Wheat

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May 23, 2014
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Congratulations and welcome to TNET
 

McClod

Sr. Member
Jun 14, 2013
285
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Oregon
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Minelab CTX 3030, Garrett Pro Pointer and Whites TRX Pin Pointer.
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Wow, what a positive group of people! Thanks so much for the sharing the joy.

As an update: I'm splitting the coins with the landowner, who is a good friend and is also now very interested in starting to detect :) . We're working out a good plan moving forward to share other finds, as, unless I just got lucky enough to discover, in 30 minutes, the one spot where something extraordinary happened (an encampment? a skirmish?), we're looking at about 2 miles of completely unexplored colonial wagon trail, 2/3rds of which is on his property. That trail was already lost to memory by the time the big survey of my area was done in 1869. There is reportedly the foundation of a tavern out there...can I just say that it is tough not to call in sick right now?

Also, I plan to lend the RP button to my local historical society for display in their museum. Feels like something that should be shared with the public to hopefully inspire other people's sense of wonder.

Thanks again for the warm reception, and HH! Will keep you posted...

Sure sounds like your good friend has a good friend in you! I hope you make many more amazing finds on his property! I am sure you will! Looks like you're set for hunting sites for the forseable future, good luck to you both!!!
 

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