Best Long Weekend Ever! Some great Colonial finds, silver, buttons and more!

[oxbowbarefoot]

After my car accident a couple weeks back, I haven’t been able to detect as much as I’d like. My left arm, which is usually my digging arm, is continually dislocating at the shoulder, however (with the OK from the Orthopedist and orders to stay active and limber) I can at least drag the shovel without it bothering me too much.
All told, the long Thanksgiving weekend was very good to me. I was able to get out and swing the Deus each day for at least a few hours between Friday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday I hunted in the blistering wind and cold with Worldtalker. I think we are both still shaking out the dust from Saturday. We went back to the 1654 massive farmland that we have been hunting for the past few weeks (same place I pulled 2 Spanish silvers out of not too long ago). This site has been producing like crazy, and there is so much more area we haven’t even explored yet. I’m sure Chris will post his sweet finds. I had a few nice ones myself. I was even able to scratch off quite a few items from my wish list, including a couple pesky Barbers, which have somehow been eluding my coil. Together with the half I got a couple weeks back, this site has now given me a Barber hat-trick. Anyways, here are a few of the highlights: (the best is saved for last)

-My first Barber Dime (1906)
-My first Barber Quarter (1908)
-My first Walking Liberty Half (1943)
-1918 Buffalo Nickel (only my 2^nd Buff)
-1903 and 1899 Indian Heads Cents (brings the total for this site to 13)
-My most complete Colonial barrel tap
-4 Ox Knobs
-8 Musket Balls, including the biggest one I have ever seen
-Half of a brass bullet casting mold, I think mid 1800’s, but not sure.
-a Copper ring (must be the 10^th copper or brass ring I have found at this site, 2 od which are gold plated)
-a decorated Sterling pen clip.
-a whole galaxy of buttons, some good, some bad, and some ugly….

And my best finds for the weekend>>>>

Two absolutely incredible buttons.

The first one I found on Friday in a cut cornfield. It’s an 1840’s era United States Revenue Service Cutter Button (The precursor to the Coast Guard). Its quite rare and in awesome condition. Much of the gilt was left and a little naval jelly made it shine up nice! I am not sure of the value, but the couple I could find listed are priced between $125 and $400. I think mine falls somewhere in between. The back mark reads U. States/Revenue Service

The second is something that I hope is authentic, although I don’t see why it wouldn’t be based on the other finds that have come out of these fields. If it is, I feel it is definitely my best find of the weekend, and maybe one of my best ever. It’s a button with a Rattlesnake intertwined around 13 eggs. I think it is either Revolutionary War era, or just post Revolution. I have only been able to find one picture online. The site is listed below, it describes the button as “American snake and eggs motif silvered brass button imported from France.”

RWb57ds-American snake and eggs motif silvered brass button imported from France.

When I found it, I didn’t have a clue what it was, I though maybe a token, a button, perhaps a piece of broken jewelry, I just had not idea. I asked Worldtalker, he wasn’t sure either. So in the keeper case it went until I got home. When I got home I gave it a little rinse and realized it was a Rattlesnake. I looked at the back and can feel where the shank broke off. There is no back mark as far as I can see. I haven’t tried naval jelly on it to see if the any silver gilt it left, but mine appears to have much better detail than the one on the website.

If anyone has any info on either button, or has any clues to value, I would greatly appreciate it.

This Thanksgiving weekend was amazing. I have a lot to be thankful for besides the great finds. I am happy to have gotten to spend time with my family, my friend and treasure hunting partner Chris (Worldtalker), and even enjoying the little things like my 10^th high school reunion. And of course, thank you in advance for your comments and I hope you all had a great weekend too!

**UPDATE**
The person who purchased the Rattlesnake Button did an amazing job cleaning it using peroxide and lemon juice. This button is now likely one of the finest examples of its kind. The picture speaks for its self.

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[steelheadwill]

Whoa! Super Rev era Button
That is Banner material all the way, Here's my vote!
take Chris with you to that site
Big Congrats !!

[oxbowbarefoot]

Whoa! Super Rev era Button
That is Banner material all the way, Here's my vote!
take Chris with you to that site
Big Congrats !!

Thank you! You're welcome to join us anytime!

[CRUSADER]

Yeap, a couple of nice buttons & silver to top it off...

[StormSurge]

Glad you're feeling better, or at least well enough for a "Fantastic" field raid!
Love the buttons especially the the Snake.

[Erik in NJ]

Great finds and excellent button! I'll vote banner too as this button is rare and a beautiful piece of American history. I found a large brass ring once at the Cape that had a similar snake biting it's tail motif -- wonder if it dates to this era too -- never paid much attention to it...will have to dig it out again. Need more of this kind of stuff on the banner!

[oxbowbarefoot]

Great finds and excellent button! I'll vote banner too as this button is rare and a beautiful piece of American history. I found a large brass ring once at the Cape that had a similar snake biting it's tail motif -- wonder if it dates to this era too -- never paid much attention to it...will have to dig it out again. Need more of this kind of stuff on the banner!

I would love to see a picture of your ring! Thank you for the Banner Vote

[Southern_Digger]

Sounds like you are on a great site that will produce for quite some time. Congratulations.

[BuckleBoy]

OK, that is a First Rate hunt! I am certain that as oddly-shaped as that bullet mold is, it can be ID'ed. I sincerely hope that you'll post that in the "What is it?" section as well! That Revenue Marine button is only the third one that has been posted on the forum. I know, because my buddy Shane dug one earlier this year (a two piece, 1850s), and I searched the site and only found one other. Regardless of price, that is one Difficult button to dig! Now...your snake and eggs button is the real Star Find. That is Banner quality right there, and I am nominating it!

Congrats,


Buck

[oxbowbarefoot]

OK, that is a First Rate hunt! I am certain that as oddly-shaped as that bullet mold is, it can be ID'ed. I sincerely hope that you'll post that in the "What is it?" section as well! That Revenue Marine button is only the third one that has been posted on the forum. I know, because my buddy Shane dug one earlier this year (a two piece, 1850s), and I searched the site and only found one other. Regardless of price, that is one Difficult button to dig! Now...your snake and eggs button is the real Star Find. That is Banner quality right there, and I am nominating it!

Congrats,


Buck

Wow, thank you! I knew the Revenue button was rare, but I didn't check to see if any others were posted here. I will have to check them out. I will absolutely post the bullet mold in the "What Is It?" section. What are your thoughts on the giant musket ball? I will try to take a measurement tonight. Thank you again for the Banner vote, I'm pretty excited with all my finds, but those buttons are high on my list

[Erik in NJ]

Well deserved banner vote! And I thought I had a good colonial hunt this weekend--good (for me), but nothing like yours (will post items in the next day or so). I will keep in touch regarding that ring with the snake motif once I come across it--hopefully as I dig into my archive of finds. I forgot about it until you posted your button. I think it must be from the same era. And I agree, your button is in much better shape than the example you found on the Internet. Best, Erik

I would love to see a picture of your ring! Thank you for the Banner Vote

[Old Stonewall]

What a great variety of finds - way to go!

[Erik in NJ]

What are your thoughts on the giant musket ball? I will try to take a measurement tonight.

Funny, I also dug a giant musket ball this weekend at a 1700's house. Mine is kinda rough as opposed to perfectly round like a true musket ball (dug one of those too, the day before). My best guess is that it's grape shot or something similar, but I guess we'll have to post pics of both of them on the "What Is It?" forum--TheCannonballGuy is an excellent resource for projectiles.

[relicmeister]

great finds. I just found a tap just like yours but didn't realize what it was at first. WHAT I wouldn't do for a site like yours! HH

[davehky]

Wow! What a weekend you had! Congrats to you,and glad your getting out again! Get well soon.

[Steve in PA]

You have some real nice finds there, but the Snake and Eggs button is by far the best as far as I'm concerned. I have found a couple of the Snake and Stars buttons, but your Snake & Eggs is rarer. I am putting my BANNER vote in!

[oxbowbarefoot]

You have some real nice finds there, but the Snake and Eggs button is by far the best as far as I'm concerned. I have found a couple of the Snake and Stars buttons, but your Snake & Eggs is rarer. I am putting my BANNER vote in!

Thank you!

[oxbowbarefoot]

Has anyone seen the Rattlesnake button for sale? I am trying to find something to compare it to, but the only other one like it I have found so far is the one that is on the link that I posted.

[worldtalker]

Man Jason, That button is the Cats Meow dude.My vote for Banner is in!! God Bless Chris

[oxbowbarefoot]

Man Jason, That button is the Cats Meow dude.My vote for Banner is in!! God Bless Chris

Thank you. Hopefully we will pillage some more from those fields this weekend!