Its been a long time since I found somthing worthy of sharing...

*Dig-Dug*

Full Member
Aug 13, 2008
151
14
Herndon, VA - Kill Devil Hills, NC
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Tesoro - Bandito II
Light Artillary Plate and George Washington Inaugural Button

Long story short.. I got permission to hunt a home site (the surrounding 100 acres are in my future). After 2 hours of digging modern stuff I encountered one little spot next to the 18?? house and within feet of appears to be an old road bed. The location - Approx. one mile East of New Midway MD (Between Frederick, MD and Gettysburg, PA) I dug this light artillary belt plate and George Washington Inaugural Eagle button. Can't express enough how excited I am to finally be back in the Relic Finding Groove.....

I added a couple additional photos - the first is the plate just after it was found - the other is a historical marker approxiimately 1/2 mile from where the plate and button were found. I spent the weekend hunting the house site. Nothing spectacular besides the plate and button though cool enough to make a seperate thread. I'll try to post that tomorrow.
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DSC02115_rs.jpg WAIST-BELT PLATE, LIGHT ARTILLERY(?), 1814-1821

The design of this rectangular plate, struck in rather heavy brass, is the same as that offered as the (p. 34) 1814-pattern cap plate for the light artillery, although it is the product of a different and somewhat more crudely sunk die. The piece is dominated by an eagle with wings upraised, a shield on its breast, three arrows in its right talon, and an olive branch in its left talon. Crossed cannon are in the foreground, and there is a pile of six cannon balls in the lower right corner. The whole is superimposed on a trophy of colors and bayoneted muskets. Above is a 5-pointed "star of stars" made up of 20 5-pointed stars.
 

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Last edited:
Upvote 11

creskol

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Jan 14, 2007
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Beautiful .. Beautiful relics! Dig .. That was an amazing hunt! Great Job and thanks for causing me to drool all over my keyboard!
 

Ground Inspector

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Feb 17, 2012
499
221
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Nice relics!
 

CMDiamonddawg

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Oct 14, 2009
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Breathtaking relics !! Makes me want to put my tector away and go sit under a shade tree and sip on a mint julip .. damn son those are Great finds !!!

:skullflag: Mike Dawg
 

BuckleBoy

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Jun 12, 2006
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Two Banner finds at once! Those are fantastic digs! The plate could be easily restored by a professional relic restorer. That era of military plate is on my list. I've hit some prewar plates, but nothing that early yet. Congratulations!
 

tngirl

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Mar 16, 2012
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N. Middle Tennessee
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I am in awe of those finds, especially the belt plate. That thing is beautiful. Congratulations!
 

coinhound

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Sep 26, 2012
153
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Northwest Ohio
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Although I primarily hunt for coins and jewelry, I'm at aw with your phenomenal two in one day finds. That belt plate is in excellent condition for being two hundred years old. Then we have the Washington inaugural eagle button that is absolutely outstanding. I'm no expert when it comes to relics from the past, but I do see "Banner" on this one. Congratulations.

Coinhound
 

piedmont

Jr. Member
Apr 20, 2007
25
0
Maryland
Super nice finds although it sort of turns my stomach that you found them near my home and I have probably driven past the house in the past week. Seriously, congratulations.

Piedmont
 

Tnmountains

Super Moderator
Staff member
Jan 27, 2009
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11,709
South East Tennessee on Ga, Ala line
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No doubt relic mode is on and you are in a good site. Exciting and great finds. Wow!
 

70monte68

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Aug 8, 2010
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That is incredible! Those two finds are amazing, congrats!
 

Valley Ranger

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Mar 24, 2011
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That's an amazing relic hunting day in anyone's book - congratulations! I vote banner.
 

kuger

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Nov 6, 2007
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WOW!!!Amazing digs!!!
 

Southern_Digger

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May 21, 2012
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Florida
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Absolutely rare and special...both of them. Congratulations. First, the inauguaral button is a high item on my list and for many others- a rare piece of colonial America. As for the militia plate--one of the most attractive and sought after, despite its limited and underestimated value. Both items are repairable. I have dug an 1850's eagle buckle, possibly a sword belt plate. The trouble with my plate is the fact that it was damaged excessively in 1856 when the fort supply house caught on fire. I found it along with melted pieces of brass (once buttons). My plate is beyond restoration (my own opinion). However, both of your items are very restorable. Contact McDaniels. He can bring life into them.
 

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