1793 Chain Cent

[Kurt Franz THB]

Happy New Year everyone! We were detecting at my buddies house that was built in 1851. It was a pretty slow day until I dug a wiped copper along the driveway. Working the same area I got a perfect coin signal. I thought it was going to be Silver. It was that perfect of a signal. Out pops the fattest copper coin I've ever seen. I gave it a quick toothpick and FREAKED when I saw a chain looking back at me. The verdigris is pretty bad on her, but she's identifiable. I'll I've done is some very light toothpicking to remove dirt. I'm not doing anything else to her. I am open to the idea of professional cleaning, but even that scares me. I love her the way she is for now. We all have some sort of Bucket List of thing we want to find. I also have a fantasy bucket list for a few items I never actually expect to find. Well... I dug one off my fantasy list. 1793 Flowing Hair Chain Cent!!

Other notables this day at a different location. Bill dug a worn Liberty Cap Large Cent (1793-1796) and a thin 22k Colonial Gold Ring.










I actually Live Dug the Chain Cent. If anyone wants to see it come out of the ground, here's the video:

 

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[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Just watched the video. You guys had a great hunt and that chain Cent is thick for sure, huge congrats!!

 

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[DFW_THer]

You are slipping sir, better pick up the pace. How could let KF find this? it seems like a Brad Show find to me.

GL brother.

It's true. I've been messed up for a while!! Hahah

 

[HighVDI]

Awesome find! What this hobby is all about IMO. congratulations.

 

[masterjedi]

It's true. I've been messed up for a while!! Hahah

Its because your not using the fish as much ))))

 

[HighVDI]

Its because your not using the fish as much ))))

^^^^this

 

[Truth]

I love Wednesdays!!!!

 

[pepperj]

Congrats on the copper, a great way of starting off your season.

 

[DFW_THer]

Its because your not using the fish as much ))))

True, I've been about 75% garrett, 25% fish these days. But I don't even quite get out once per week. That has to change. Interestingly enough I found 3 of my favorite finds with the Garrett machine, which is a little bit telling. Two 2reales and the Vermont landscape copper.

But back to the chain cent because O.M.G!!!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on a great coin. I can only imagine !

 

[neodetectorist]

Yes I saw the video the other night. That is a great recovery Kurt. I didn't even know any existed.
I nominate BANNER for this coin.
Bill even had a great day with his gold ring and copper.
Bob got an "episode" with that IHP too.
You all had a great outing.
Teletubby? Come-on Bobbie!

 

[can_slaw]

Holy Wow that is a great find! Congrats from a subscriber and fellow treasure seeker!

 

[billpa]

More great digs guys.

 

[Kurt Franz THB]

Great find!

1) The professionals who clean or conserve coins I doubt have much, if any, experience in dealing with dug copper and have no more know-how or better methods than you do.

2) I don't see what there is left to clean. You start taking off what's on there and the detail will leave too.

Thanks! I couldn't agree more. I love her the way she is.

 

[Kurt Franz THB]

Excellent! Looks like something existed before that 1850’s home and you found the evidence. I would keep that chain cent as-is. The details are in the crust and she’s already beautiful.

Yes. His property wraps around an old grave yard. All the stones are older then his house. It's an older area for sure.

 

[Kurt Franz THB]

The piece on the far left you thought was a piece of suspender is part of a Victorian whale bone corset, its 1 of many of the reverse tie holes.

Thank you for the info.

 

[Kurt Franz THB]

You are slipping sir, better pick up the pace. How could let KF find this? it seems like a Brad Show find to me.

GL brother.

Hahaha!! If Brad was there he would have "found it." I would have dug the wiped copper. While I was filming the wiped copper Brad would have been bottom feeding all around me... #Truth

 

[Kurt Franz THB]

Great find Kurt, Love the videos I think I've watched them all a few times. Just saw an older one where one of you guys got your first Largie and you didn't rub a rosie

Hahaha! Thank you for the support. It's funny how things change over time.

 

[Kurt Franz THB]

Huge COINgrats to you on the Chain Cent Kurt!
My wife and I always look forward to THB Wednesdays after work!
You defiantly had a minor heart attack as did I
And of course you just had to drop it LOL
Keep up the good work. Here is to a productive 2018!

Hahaha! Thank you for the support! That drop was Gods way of reminding me to thank him. A very humbling experience when I look back on it.

 

[Kurt Franz THB]

HUGE Congrats Kurt on your "fantasy" Bucket List 1793 Chain Cent becoming a REALITY! WOO HOO!. Damn, that's even cooler than Brad's puny little silver half dime! LOL! Ya'll done very good on this hunt. Thanks for sharing mate!

That just put a huge smile on my face with a case of the giggles. Thank you! Hehehe

 

[Kurt Franz THB]

Thank you all for the kind words and support! It was an honor to save a coin that actually holds historical significance. I have no plans to further "clean" this one. I've made that mistake plenty of times in the past as I'm sure we all have. Less is always better in my opinion. Especially when it come to coins. I put her in a protective case as soon as i could. Best of luck to everyone in 2018!