Update on large cent and bust property

[bblaha]

Went back to the house where I found the large cent, bust dime and merc and swung for about an hour and a half. Found some keys that the owner lost a year ago and some trash, and a handful of pennies that are in terrible shape. Why would these be in such bad shape if the large cent was in great shape? Also got a button and a wing to what I thought was an eagle or something like that. The owner didn't want any of the coins from yesterday but wanted that wing for some reason. Maybe he knows something I don't? Thanks.

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[TNGUNS]

If they are modern (zinc) pennies they will corrode in no time. After a few years can't hardly identify them in some soil.

[testing123]

like TNGUNS said... those Lincolns are zinc on the inside with a copper plating. They corrode very easily. The large cent is solid copper and tends to hold much better than those "zincolns"

[bblaha]

Thanks guys. I figured it was something obvious like that but they looked so bad so I thought I'd ask

[Michiganne]

Glad you got back to that yard. The eagle's wing reminds me of one that goes atop a flag pole possibly.

HH

[ClovisOak]

Cool finds, wing reminds me of the shape and dimension of a eagle wing at top of a flag post.

[bblaha]

Thanks guys, I thought flag post as well

[aloldstuff]

As far as the eagle wing goes, if it is stamped brass it could very well be part of a hat plate


CAP PLATE, MOUNTED TROOPS, C. 1836

USNM 60319-M (S-K 75). Figure 142.
Figure 142

From the size of this brass plate it can be assumed that it was worn without other ornament on the front of the round leather cap associated with mounted troops. The upper portion of the shield bears 8-pointed stars, an unusual feature. The arrows in the eagle's left talon point inward, a characteristic of eagle representation between 1832 and 1836. The plate is known both in brass and with silver finish. It was probably a stock pattern issued to both cavalry and mounted artillery.