Ben Franklin Finally Showed Up!

[Carolina Tom]

I went out to a local elementary school on Friday after work. The place is old and has given a up a silver or two. I was walking around, bottlecap here, pull tab there, some clad.... and a big round piece to a junk necklace. I get a nice hit... really nice... like an aluminum can. It had been raining and the ground was soft, so I went to dig, and noticed that someone had already dug here... then I remembered trying to dig this target up another time. I got about 6" down, but the ground was too hard, and I was sure it was a can anyway. The pinpointer went off at 6"... I dug to about 10", stick the pinpointer in... and nothing. I checked the dirt and sure enough... a big gray electrical box knockout plug... it's a slug... but wait a mintue... it has a little patch of silver on it... as I wipe it off, it's got Ben Franklin's face on it... I just couldn't believe my eyes... What an awesome feeling...

I put a couple of toy guns in here, for those of you that do not like awesome giant silver coins.

Thanks for looking.

 

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[g-olden years]

Fabulous! It pays to go back to dig up those finds that seemed too deep or difficult to reach the first time! Bonanza! Andi

 

[park pirate]

Love that big silver..

 

[Auriemma]

Nice find!

 

[Garrett424]

Beautiful. That's one of my favorite coins and I hope to eventually find at least one.

It pays to follow your instincts and keep digging even if you "know" it's a can.

I actually have a target that I have to dig again because it's under two enormous roots. I'm trying to devise a way to get at it without digging a huge hole because of the location. It's also at an old elementary school. I have a good feeling about it but I didn't have the right tools to get it.

I have another target I'm waiting to dig up because there's a HUGE colony of large red ants living in the hole. There are thousands and they're the kind that bite. I have a good feeling about that one too.

Anyway, congrats on the Franklin. You don't see too many of those anymore.

 

[nscrcr8z]

Never forget my big Ben
Awesome recovery way to go

 

[MaineRelic]

I've been waiting for a big silver on my current site ! 12 silvers all dimes ! Nice looking Franklin ! MR

 

[Pointman]

First and only time I found a Franklin half it was barely sticking out of the loose dirt that I shoveled over. I saw the reeded edge and I couldn't believe that it was a coin at first because it was too thick, I thought. I even managed to barely move the dirt from the face and I still couldn't figure out what it was at first.

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

Still looking for my first Franklin half and Seated liberty Half, Big congrats !!

 

[ShovelNose]

That is one sad looking Ben. Soil in that area has been loaded with fertilizer. Still have that coin on my bucket list.

 

[atprolen]

Nice Ben. Like the old cap guns to. Congrats

 

[Carolina Tom]

That is one sad looking Ben. Soil in that area has been loaded with fertilizer. Still have that coin on my bucket list.

Oh John no... That is a one HAPPY Ben Franklin! He was so glad to be found by me that he actually cracked a little smile.

Nice getting to hunt with you and Smittyman on Saturday morning. It was a shame that we didn't find more, but fun none the less. You let me know if you want to hunt with me after work this week. I would love to have the company.

The fertilizer put some pits into the coin, and it was badly tarnished, however, I am also pitted and tarnished, so we make a good pair.
Thanks John, GL&HH!

 

[ModernMiner]

SWEET large silver Tom. Congrats!!!
Mr. Franklin is still on my list to be found.
-MM-

 

[beez0404]

Beautiful. That's one of my favorite coins and I hope to eventually find at least one.

It pays to follow your instincts and keep digging even if you "know" it's a can.

I actually have a target that I have to dig again because it's under two enormous roots. I'm trying to devise a way to get at it without digging a huge hole because of the location. It's also at an old elementary school. I have a good feeling about it but I didn't have the right tools to get it.

I have another target I'm waiting to dig up because there's a HUGE colony of large red ants living in the hole. There are thousands and they're the kind that bite. I have a good feeling about that one too.

Anyway, congrats on the Franklin. You don't see too many of those anymore.

Take a sawz-all with you and just cut the roots out of the way.

 

[beez0404]

Okay, I officially now have half dollar envy. And now that I've crossed the Indian head penny off my "To Find" list I am moving on to Buffalo nickels and half dollars next. Of course if I dig a silver dollar or shield nickel I won't complain either.

Seeing the before and after photos of your Franklin tells me I too need to set up a mini electrolysis unit for when I get ugly treasures. Very nice half dollar, Tom!

 

[Carolina Tom]

Okay, I officially now have half dollar envy. And now that I've crossed the Indian head penny off my "To Find" list I am moving on to Buffalo nickels and half dollars next. Of course if I dig a silver dollar or shield nickel I won't complain either.

Seeing the before and after photos of your Franklin tells me I too need to set up a mini electrolysis unit for when I get ugly treasures. Very nice half dollar, Tom!

Thanks Jay. I have been very lucky lately.

As much as you hunt, and at the good places you go, I am sure a half will show up before too much longer... knowing you it will be an AU Barber from the 1800s... and I will grumble under my breath about how life is not fair...

Hope to see you soon. GL&HH.

 

[treblehunter]

I see the "hillbilly zappin machine" turned that half in to a beautiful coin again! Congrats Tom I'm glad you saved him. Keep digging, your doing good!

 

[Davers]

Great Coin IMO..

Look's as if he was in circulation for awhile .--[ Tarnex , works well on coins such as yours].

I've only dug Franklin Half in my time.---Oh wait 2 [ the other has a bullet stuck in it.]

Good Job!

Davers

 

[Garrett424]

Take a sawz-all with you and just cut the roots out of the way.

Oh, I know I can get to it with a Sawzall but there's a house very close with a nosy, suspicious looking lady that watches me like a hawk. I want to find a way to find out what's in that hole while still keeping a low profile. I don't want to make any waves because I've had some good luck at the spot and don't want to jeopardize anything. She just seems like the type that would call the coppers or something.

 

[WHADIFIND]

Congrats! There's nothing quite like a big ole silver coin coming out. Really strange ground though, don't recall seeing that coloration on a half before.

Excellent save!