My First Big Coppers!

[KYshooter]

I recently hunted (two weeks ago) an old location where I have hunted several times before. The ground is pretty junky, and I have not found a lot of coins at this location. But I came upon a spot in the woods that looked like an old foundation. There was a rough circle of stones. The spot was slightly elevated. There were some small trees growing out of it. So I hit the spot and started swinging.

About a half hour later I hit on a signal that my Garrett ID'd as a half-dollar at two inches. Interestingly, the signal jumped between a penny and a half dollar. I dug, and out popped a Draped Bust Large Cent! Boys, the happy dance was ugly. It was my first U.S. large copper. I would learn later at home, under bright light and magnification, that it is an 1801!!!

Then ... about a half-hour later, I hit another similar signal. It was located diagonally opposite from the first coin, on the back side of the foundation. This one, also at a mere two inches, was an 1851 large cent! My heart jumped into my throat because I thought for a moment, when I saw the head, that it was a gold coin ...

Anyhow ... it was an awesome afternoon. Two large coppers on a single hunt (and until today I had never found one). I still shake when I think about it.

Here are the front and back pics ... the 1801 Draped Bust is on the left, and the 1851 is on the right ... this is rough, prior to any cleaning.



And here are the coins after some careful cleaning in a warm peroxide bath.




I also dug this beautiful monogrammed clip from the center of the circle. I am not sure what its function was ...



This is my first-ever post on this forum. I've been MD-ing for just over one year now.

Thanks for looking!

Geoff

[DigginThePast]

Welcome to T-net.

You have some great finds. Love the 1801. Congrats.

Keep hitting that spot.

[favored papa]

very good . I have never seen one and out here in the wast not to likely to, you easterner's get all the old stuff .


keep on, and "dig it like a pirate"

[BuckleBoy]

That Draped Bust is one heck of a find for Kentucky. Since I've been digging here, I've only managed to get two Draped LC's. All the rest have been Coronet or Braided Hair design.


Great Stuff!!



-Buckleboy

[arrowhead883]

Very nice finds! Hope to see more of your finds posted.

[Johnlightning]

Hope you find more from that site, looks like a good one. Post some more photos.

[KYshooter]

That Draped Bust is one heck of a find for Kentucky. Since I've been digging here, I've only managed to get two Draped LC's. All the rest have been Coronet or Braided Hair design.

No doubt about it ... I can't help but think that finding it was a complete fluke. The town where I live wasn't founded until 1820. One of my friends who has been a lifelong collector freaked when he found out I dug the coin in this county. It may very well be the oldest coin ever dug here ...

Suddenly, I find myself wanting to break through that 1800 barrier!

[dazoff]

Very nice.

[CRUSADER]

Welcome from the UK

1801 looks pretty good

[capndan151]

Love those early coppers

[Deno]

What a find, until i read this post and saw where buckleboy had dug 2 DBLC's and saw yours I
had never heard of one being dug here. What county did you find it in?