GW Inaugural Button, Fugio Copper, & Trime

[Keith123]

GW Inaugural Button, Fugio Copper, & Trime

Got a new permission recently and was able to get a 4 hour hunt in last week and a 4 hour hunt in today. Hearsay of a school house from the early 1800s is what originally peaked my interest, but as I explored the property I realized there was more than an early 1800s school house here.

Day 1

A few minutes into the hunt I pulled my biggest flat button yet. Also managed to put my shovel right in the middle of it. Ouch. The next couple of hours produced an early 1900s spill (wheat and 1910 V Nickel), a couple more buttons, and a lead seal of some sort. As I was making my way out of the woods towards a pasture, I pulled a shallow fatty IH. A couple of inches away another shallow signal turned out to be my fifth ever flying eagle cent. Third coin of this spill, a couple more inches away, rang a low VDI. Bingo! 1852 Trime! (First bucket list item of the day). Finally make it out into the pasture for what I call the desperate dash (desperate dash is when you're ready to go to the car but you take some quick swings over a couple of nice looking places you passed on the way in to see if you can mop up a couple of good finds before you leave - maybe I'm weird but it's almost like I'm worried the spot is gonna disappear before I get a chance to go back). Anyway, got a deep signal out in the pasture 10 minutes before leaving. Bingo! Fugio Copper (1787)! (Second bucket list find of the day).


Day 2

All pasture today. First couple of finds were small buckles. Followed by a gilt button and a silver Rosie that managed to sneak in there. The final hours were pretty quiet except for a another large flat button. I tossed it in my pouch with the rest of the finds. When got home later and started to clean, I noticed an eagle on the big flat button. I've found quite a few flat buttons but most are plain. This one had me puzzled so I tossed a photo and measurements on the "what is it" forum. The first response shocked me, so I googled 34mm button with eagle. Bingo! GW Inaugural Button (I think)! Third bucket list item from this property.


Thanks for looking!

 

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[Skippy SH13]

Sweet coins. Time to break out the annealing process and straighten that one out! Fugio... freaking amazing.

 

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[Keith123]

I want to do what ever is going to be best for display and preservation. Sounds like I need to get it straightened. I've sent out a couple of emails, including one to Robert per Ahab8. Waiting on responses and direction on what to do with it now.

 

[Vino]

Outstanding finds Keith.
Those 2 finds are high on my bucket list. .
Definitely get it straighten .
George

 

[Erik in NJ]

Keith,

First of all congratulations on an amazing set of finds! As Ahab said there is a guy out there running a site for GW buttons who has a wealth of information. This is probably the link he had in mind or at least one of the very good ones:

George Washington Inaugural Buttons

I'd ID the button before you consider straightening it out as you want to determine the rarity before doing something like that. It's still an open field with new variations being discovered. If you decide to go the route of straightening the button (nice for posterity and display) make sure its not an ultra rare button and also get plenty of references from the guy doing the work. I have seen some fine work done of CW plates in the past. It's worth investing a few dollars in the right man for this job.

You got my banner vote!

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

To be honest I don't know much about them. Can you have them straightened and who would do it?

Keith - if you need a strong recommendation for someone to use for straightening your button, let me know. He's currently working on restoring my 1700s sword guard and has done amazing work for others that I have personally seen. But like others have said, you might need to get confirmation on the rarity and potential value before proceeding with any restorative work.

 

[Steve in PA]

Great couple of hunts Keith! Congrats on all the bucket list finds. How does the Fugio look? You didn't post a close up of it.

 

[Keith123]

Great couple of hunts Keith! Congrats on all the bucket list finds. How does the Fugio look? You didn't post a close up of it.

The Fugio Copper isn't in great condition for obvious reasons. Obverse - the meridian sun is visible as well as 178 of the 1787 date. The last 7 is on the other half of the coin still waiting to be found. Reverse - 7 of the 13 linked circles are visible as well as part of the small center circle and part of the text - "United States" "We are one"
Obverse
Reverse

 

[Erik in NJ]

So you found the much rarer Fugio Half Cent! Still a great find as I think a cut coin has more character. That coin wasn't cut out of boredom, it was cut to make change. The other half of that coin probably went on its merry way in commerce to another part of the state or another state.

Someone is going to post the trite "now go find the other half," but it's highly unlikely that it's anywhere in the area.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Congrats on the extremely nice finds! WOW...

 

[OutdoorAdv]

Wow! That button is amazing. Excellent hunts.

 

[david680]

I call that just tearing it up. Enough there to make half a dozen successful hunts! Congrats!

 

[Evolution]

Still waiting to see that chicken hawk design on a button myself. Congrats on getting one! That's an awesome find.

 

[coinman123]

Banner and a half!!! Congrats on such an amazing hunt, any one of the finds in the title of your post would make my month!

 

[Bubba65]

Congrats on a great couple of hunts, the GW is real cool, straight or not straighten

 

[Keith123]

So you found the much rarer Fugio Half Cent! Still a great find as I think a cut coin has more character. That coin wasn't cut out of boredom, it was cut to make change. The other half of that coin probably went on its merry way in commerce to another part of the state or another state.

Someone is going to post the trite "now go find the other half," but it's highly unlikely that it's anywhere in the area.

I agree! the cut coin is a more interesting story. I knew Spanish silver was commonly cut, but I was surprised to see a copper coin cut.

 

[fever87]

Congrats!

 

[Erik in NJ]

It may not have been done as often as it was with silver, but it was done believe it or not. I found a half a large cent a couple years ago in a farm field in NY state. My first cut copper! Someone used the trite expression one me "Now go find the other half" like that may actually happen -- she obviously had no idea that these were used in trade as half cents.

I agree! the cut coin is a more interesting story. I knew Spanish silver was commonly cut, but I was surprised to see a copper coin cut.

 

[olekyground]

Banner☺️

 

[time machine]

Hey 123, you've filled any ones dream bucket list with your finds. Congrats.

TM

 

[Chestdiesel]

Wow!! Amazing finds!!