In my efforts to keep up with Herbie... Haha, just kidding.
My goodness... you ever have one of those days where stuff just keeps coming up? I decided to give the recent field a rest and try my hopes for a silver roosie or Merc. Believe it or not I was looking forward to picking up a silver Roosie!
The day started with a Buffalo nickel after only 5 minutes. Then, about 10 minutes after that, out comes a 1912 V Nickel. Cover the hole and retry... another nickel signal - out pops another V nickel, worn nearly smooth. "If I could just get a Jefferson I'll have a trifecta!" A little while later, out comes a shield nickel - 1870. Obverse is pretty much toast, but good enough for a date. "Huh, never imagined the Jefferson would be the tough one." Finally, after a little bit, I get a jefferson! Sometime later another Buffalo pops out, and also a 1922 Canadian Nickel at some point (it's all a blur).
Sometime in the hunt I get a deep 12/43 reading - expecting roughly a wheat I dig probably 9 inches but instead it's silver! "Now that's a deep merc... no wait.. a barber... no wait... it's Seated!" It's an 1877-S and I think it could go F-VF.
About 5 feet later I get another 12/43 reading. "Ok, this time it's really going to be a wheat..." Dig deep... probably another 9 inches or so but instead is a large copper. "What the heck is this?" Couldn't get any detail then so wrapped it up and moved on.
Some time later a roughly lincoln cent tone rings - dig deeper again - 8 or so inches I'd guess and out comes a sterling pin for "Estevan". Any idea of its age?
Finally, at some later point, I get a sort of scratchy 11-39 signal, usually a zincoln. Not sure how deep it was, but must've been 7 or more inches... Got a deja vu feeling as a small disc came up. "NO??" It's a seated half dime! Higher grade, maybe XF? 1853 with arrows. Did I just get a 5-cent quin-slam?
Got in the car and took another look at the copper. Wet it slightly... and saw the outline of an eagle. No, no no... is this a Mass copper? Yes, yes it is. It's pretty rough but I'm a bit hesitant to drop it in hydrogen peroxide. Could I soak it in mineral oil first?
I suppose this is better than digging a silver roosie eh? For the record, still haven't found a washington quarter this year.
So, for a recap, today unearthed:
1787 or 1788 Massachusetts Cent
1877-S Seated Dime
1853 with Arrows Seated Half Dime
1870 Shield Nickel
2 V Nickels
2 Buffalo Nickels
Sterling Silver Pin
Couple of wheat cents too, didn't check them yet.
Now that's what I call Rock & Roll !
I came home happy cause I found an IH ,
You sure rounded all the bases on that hunt.
Your Half Dime is Magnificent
I think once you oil your copper, no other treatments are effective.
but in it's current condition that may be all you should do
I think the details are laying on top of the metal, I have a lot of coppers I wish I had not 'cleaned', best wishes on that great find !
I think your Maple leaf pin is related to the Estevan SK branch of the 'Royal Canadian Legion' Try contacting them, they state they are happy to take phone calls: http://www.sasklegion.ca/about-us
Note the small pins on the left lapels of Uniformed Veterans Here: http://www.sasklegion.ca/member-activities
Congrats on being the first to recieve the 'Fat Daddy'
Looking forward to hunting together again
Congrates on a great day of hunting! You are now receiving my first "Fat Daddy" award.
You deserve it!
It is truly an honor to receive the first "Fat Daddy" Award! I will print this image out and frame it on my wall!
Thank you!!
Originally Posted by steelheadwill
You sure rounded all the bases on that hunt.
Your Half Dime is Magnificent
I think once you oil your copper, no other treatments are effective.
I think your Maple leaf pin is related to the Estevan SK branch of the 'Royal Canadian Legion' Try contacting them, Congrats on being the first to recieve the 'Fat Daddy'
Looking forward to hunting together again
Thanks for the comments Herbie! I've certainly admired many of your finds!
Thanks for the tip on the Royal Canadian Legion... was wondering if it could be Canadian because of the Maple Leaf... I'll let you know what they say.
I think in this case, the oil soak is the way to go. Not sure when another Mass copper will come my way and I don't want to mess this up!
I still think I'll be visiting the southern part of the state in the next couple of weeks if you'll be around. I look forward to meeting up again!
Now that is a days haul. That Ole Herbie is a tough customer, hard telling what kind of treasure he will be posting next. Hope you can get back to that place soon. Looks like a goldmine.
Another great day for you testing Great variety of coins ! And that maple leaf pin is a beautiful find ! Congrads on the Mass cent and the seated silvers as well . That half dime is in excellent shape Gotta love this hobby ahh ! MaineRelic