Persistence Pays Off!! A few of my Best Finds From over the Years!!

[Danno]

Hi all, thank you for the warm welcome on my first post on the "Today’s Finds" forum! Though I am a die hard detectorist, I've been a bit shy when it comes to showing my finds from what I feel to be the worlds best Hobby and in my case, the fulfillment of dreams! I started detecting about 20 years ago here on the Eastern Shore of Delaware and Maryland. My first detector was a Radio Shack (Special) which I was tickled pink to have! I started, as most do, by hunting my neighbor’s yards, local schools, churches and the likes and feeling a bit awkward by all of the on-lookers who couldn’t stop staring at me and my "Geiger counter"! In those days my finds varied from modern coinage to the occasional Boy Scout Badge and Costume jewelry, (all of which I still have)! After a year or so I began longing for more but had no new ideas and no connections or resources to find a new direction. My Mother at that time worked for the state in different Museums and specialized in Colonial Life in America. She used to talk about Colonial Homesteads and how small settlements and towns cropped up all over the Easter Shore long before our Countries Revolution. Thinking of that put a spark in my mind and I began looking for those Homesteads. To make a very long story short, after hunting a dozen or so fields, I had my first colonial site and my first British Copper! After that I was hooked and had found my niche!!! Since then my knowledge has grown by leaps and bounds. I have advanced to much better detectors and my finds continue to improve! I am adding a few pictures of some of my favorite finds. It is amazing just how hard it is to pick, (a few), just because each find holds sentimental value, a connection to the past and a "Fun" memory for me. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. A great moral to my story could be that I didn't give up and that Persistence really pays off!! I will attempt to briefly describe some of the items in the photos. All of these items were found on private property with the owner’s permission! There is a 1766 William Pitt "No Stamp Act" button with complete shank, circa 1766, that I actually found on the fourth of July!! It was posted on this forum by my detecting partner gw digger 2 years ago. There is a (UNITY PROSPERITY & INDEPENDENCE) George Washington Inaugural button circa 1789, (only four known to exist). A couple of neat early 18th century rose glass and pewter fob seals for hot wax impressions. A hand crafted possibly 17th century buckle. A 1744 Spanish Pillar button. A few mixed Colonial Spanish silver coins. A Solid Gold pair of decorated late 17th century Cuff links.. Etc… Thanks Again and Enjoy!!! Happy Hunting!!!!

[BuckleBoy]

Oh my GOD...

These are truly some AMAZING finds!

Buckleboy

[bookfisher]

WOW! WOW! WOW! ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC FINDS! THAT STAMP ACT BUTTON BLOWS ME AWAY. HOW COOL AND HISTORIC! I WISH THE SOIL UP HERE ON LONG ISLAND WAS AS KIND TO MY FINDS AS THE SOIL DOWN THERE IS TO YOURS. HERE ARE TWO OF MY BEST FINDS. THE GEORGE IV BARE HEAD GOLD SOVEREIGN WAS FOUND ON MARCH 23 OF LAST YEAR AND THE C1815-1825 MILITIA WAIST BELT PLATE WAS ALSO FOUND LAST YEAR IN NOVEMBER.

[skalleewag]

those are mindblowing.

[dugupfinds]

Hi,

Very good collection, well done.

The cuff-link in Gordon Bailey's most recent book is dated as 18th Century.

[Dunky]

I'm impressed all to pieces!

[Danno]

Wow! Great finds bookfisher! I love the beltplate. It's a Great Show Piece We rarely come accross war ( battle) relics here except for an odd button or two. WTG on the Gold coins as well! They also seem to be quite rare to dig. I still haven't found my first one yet! You never know whats going to be in that next hole!!! Thanks for showing your finds and the kind words!! Happy Hunting!!

[Danno]

Hi,

Very good collection, well done.

The cuff-link in Gordon Bailey's most recent book is dated as 18th Century.

Thanks for the info, it helps alot!! I was never quite sure on its age, 17th or 18th. Those types of relics can be hard to date sometimes. I was guessing late 17th century due to the other relics dug on the site. There were some really early items dug there such as a bat wing buckle, cast buttons and some 17th century Spanish silver. My buddy dug a Massachusetts sixpence in the field next to this one. Thanks again for the help and the kind words! Happy Hunting!!!

[DJ_Quinn]

Wow! Awesome! You have a museum collection there!

[Abbey]

Wow...and oh my god....you're amazing. Just amazing.
This is my first post. I live on the northern Eastern Shore, MD., and have found some 'cool stuff' but nothing that compares. I've waited and waited to say something on this site, and this...is the time! I've only lived here since 2000, so I don't know all that much about the area, but am learning quick!(this site helps a lot!). Not too many treasure hunters from the E.Shore, eh? I mostly surface-seek, but have been known to dig...and dig some more. I have a MD, but no earphones, so I've had a hell of a time figuring out what's what and sorta kinda let it go... but not really. If you ever want another pal to detect w/, I'm about as safe (and unexperienced, and dumb) as they come. A safe bet. There are places up here too, I think- hell, I'm sure. Just not really 'capable' of finding what you have found...and continue to find. I should ad that another reason I've never posted is because I'm a purist who likes real film better than digital...BUT I CAN CHANGE...I REALLY CAN. But I'm technically challenged... I'll get there. I've got some points to share..and metal...and buttons....and odd punched-out shell (buttons?)... Thanks for giving me the nerve to post. Everyone seems to be somewhere else other than here. You've given me the courage to figure out my scanner...finally! Thank you-- and congratulations on your crazy-cool finds!!!

[gwdigger]

Hey Danno,

GREAT PICTURES! And to everyone else out there...I get to hold this stuff regularly. And...I was there to see most of it dug too!

Danno...just heard from Jim and we are all 3 headed out BOTH WED. AND THURS.!

UPS just arrived with the small loops and new detector...Next cob is mine bud!

[Danno]

Wow...and oh my god....you're amazing. Just amazing.
This is my first post. I live on the northern Eastern Shore, MD., and have found some 'cool stuff' but nothing that compares. I've waited and waited to say something on this site, and this...is the time! I've only lived here since 2000, so I don't know all that much about the area, but am learning quick!(this site helps a lot!). Not too many treasure hunters from the E.Shore, eh? I mostly surface-seek, but have been known to dig...and dig some more. I have a MD, but no earphones, so I've had a hell of a time figuring out what's what and sorta kinda let it go... but not really. If you ever want another pal to detect w/, I'm about as safe (and unexperienced, and dumb) as they come. A safe bet. There are places up here too, I think- hell, I'm sure. Just not really 'capable' of finding what you have found...and continue to find. I should ad that another reason I've never posted is because I'm a purist who likes real film better than digital...BUT I CAN CHANGE...I REALLY CAN. But I'm technically challenged... I'll get there. I've got some points to share..and metal...and buttons....and odd punched-out shell (buttons?)... Thanks for giving me the nerve to post. Everyone seems to be somewhere else other than here. You've given me the courage to figure out my scanner...finally! Thank you-- and congratulations on your crazy-cool finds!!!

Hi Abbey!! Thank you so much for the great feedback and Welcome to the Tnet!!!!! I am sure your finds are every bit as good if not better than what I’ve posted! Ya see it’s not necessarily the find but the experience and feeling you have when finding it that counts!!! There is something in all of us that sparks an interest and that jumps for joy when we make a discovery of something (lost) or in connection with history!! Kudos to you for stepping up and sharing it!! I am new here as well and what I get from this site is a Huge connection with people like myself!! I get a rush and become a part of the discovery of the finds from others and almost feed from it!!! In here, there is (No Experience Necessary) just a love of the hobby!! While reading your post, I noticed that you enjoy surface hunting!! I as well love to do that and have made some of my best finds doing it!! In the pictures above, there is one that includes the (colored) stones; there is a giant Amber trade bead and a Cobalt trade bead. Both of those rank high on my favorites list along with countless gun flints, Indian Arrow Heads and Colonial Pipe and Pottery!! All of those were found while surface hunting only!!! When you get the hang of using a digital camera, I am sure everyone on this site would love to see your finds!! And if you need any sort of help, once again I am sure everyone will lend a hand and a lot of suggestions to help you. Keep on keeping on and continue to post and add your comments!! There are wanted, accepted, and well received!!! Thanks Again and Happy Hunting... Dan

[dr-quest]

Danno outstanding finds,love every one of them.One day I hope to detect the eastern US somewhere.Hopefully a few spanish silver found there way up here.
Happy Hunting & looking forward to your next post

[scotto]

Wow Danno, just awesome. Got your own little museum goin on!

[Born2Dtect]

Great finds Danno. One of your cut cobbs pictured looks a lot like the one I found, in MD in November of last year. You didn't loose one did you?

Ed D.

[Danno]

Great finds Danno. One of your cut cobbs pictured looks a lot like the one I found, in MD in November of last year. You didn't loose one did you?

Ed D.

Hi ya Ed!! Yea...I’ve lost a few thousand of em... Please be sure and return them when you find um....Ok.....lol..... It sounds like we are rather close in location, from your e-mail!! I’ve been hunting in this area for about 20 years!! I had to build a special room onto my house for a "collections" room!! (I was a bit beat up from my wife yelling at me for my finds being displayed all over the place)
There is more history in these parts than most know about!! Even most books get it wrong or understated!! I’ve worked as an Archeologist for a while but mostly do my own research and excavations on private property. I hope to publish a book some day!! Man oh Man... Do I ever Love this hobby, it gets in your blood!!! Thanks for the post and HH... Maybe Ill see ya in the field some day!!! Dan

[pgill]

Wow Danno, you are very blessed with those finds. We are also blessed to be shown them.... Thank you. Love the Buckle.

God bless
Peter

[Danno]

Here are few more of my finds! Sort of Like Eye Candy!!
This group makes up only a small fraction of what I've have found over the years! Just thought Id share a few more of them with you! The pics show a neat bell and keg spigot that came off of a colonial site. A few of my colonial coppers and early Large Cents. A few decorated tombac buttons. A really cool thimble from a colonial site that "Still has the silk thread in it"!!! A complete set of Queen Anne cuff links. Some odd and end silver pieces. Finally I have a quite large Eagle Relic!! I have not been able to figure out quite what it is!! It seems to have been fashioned into a watch fob. The clip has an authentic blue sapphire in it!! The chain seems very old but I have found no info on it!
Enjoy and HH, Dan

[MEinWV]

Your finds are incredible! I love them all, but I have to say that I really like those buckles. They are ornate compared to some I have found. Thanks for letting us check-um out!

........HH

[Michigan Badger]

Supreme finds and am so glad you leave those wonderful patinas.

Badger