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Apr 30, 2018, 12:08 PM
#1
 Max
First GW Inaugural Button and It's a Beauty!
I had two goals for this detecting year and this is one of them! I hiked to a new site on Sunday and literally the third hole I dug was this:

It was only four inches down in some nice clay soil which I think is why it's so well preserved. I hadn't even decided if the site had been hunted before, so to say I wasn't expecting this to turn up would be an understatement. And to top it off the shovel didn't come close to hitting it so no rueful scratches or dings to make me feel bad every time I look at it! After some extremely carefull cleaning here's how it came out:
  
My technique was slow and gentle brushing with q-tips and I purposefully left dirt in the etchings so that I could keep the contrast and have the design really pop. It still has fantastic definition and I love the black patina. After safely stowing this I continued to grid the site and I am now certain in has never been detected before because the find density was incredible! Here are just the buttons:
  
Most are medium or large tombac buttons (including the odd bowl-shaped one in the last photos), but there were a couple brass flat buttons too. Most of those had "London" backmarks so the distribution seems to be from the latter half of the 18th century to just the beginning of the 19th. I was actually surprised since I was expecting this to be a mid 19th century site.
There were a few coins including a 1787 Connecticut copper that would be the find of the day on any other hunt:
 
There's enough definition that I'm reasonably confident that it's a Miller 12-Q which is listed as scarce. I also found a toasted KG III and an 1829 large cent that's in okay shape.
   
My other favorite find of the hunt was this beautiful, intact No 2 crotal bell.
  
I find fragments all the time, but rarely intact specimens and this is only my third with the maker's mark. I didn't find any mention of "RW" in American bellmakers, but I did find one in the UK. Robert Wells from Aldbourne operated a foundry as did his son and grandson. The foundry was established in 1755 and operated for the three generations until bankruptcy in 1825. Since the "RW" mark likely didn't change during that time, it could be from anywhere in that range, but based on the site it's probably from the time of the son Robert Wells II so late 18th century.
There were quite a few bits and pieces, some of which I can identify, and a few mystery pieces:
     
The pewter cone shaped piece is odd, but very decorative. There was surprisingly little large iron, but I've only just started to cover the ground at this site so I'm sure it'll turn up. I have my work cut out for me though as it's nestled in thick brambles. They're mostly flat now, but it's spring so the site is beginning to close up and in a few weeks I doubt I'll be able to swing anywhere near it. I can only imagine what's still in the ground there, but it'll be tough to top this hunt!
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Apr 30, 2018, 12:17 PM
#2
 I'm from Mexico
That’s is a very nice piece. Banner
Profanador de tumbas numismaticas
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Apr 30, 2018, 12:18 PM
#3
Congrats on that GW! Awesome other coins and relics too.
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Apr 30, 2018, 12:21 PM
#4
Very nice button. Congratulations on that find and the other relics too.
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Apr 30, 2018, 12:22 PM
#5
 Colonial relic hound
Home run! That's a beauty; we are all jealous but happy for you. Congrats
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Apr 30, 2018, 12:26 PM
#6
You have been getting on some great sites lately. That GW is beautiful and you cleaned it perfectly.
Spanish Silver Totals
Cut Pieces = 20
Half Reals = 32
1 Reals = 11
2 Reales = 6
8 Reales = 1
2 Reale Cobs = 2
Other Early Silver Coins
1797 & 1803 Draped Bust Dimes
1830 Capped Bust 5 cents
1827 Capped Bust dime
1661 Hammered silver King Leopold
1697 William III 6-pence
Rev War Buttons
3rd Battalion PA, Hartley's Regiment, USA, (4) 18th Royal Irish, (2) Rattlesnake & Stars
Civil War Plates
VA Militia Cross Belt, CS Tongue, CS Wreath, VMM, US Box, Model 1851 Sword, Militia Plate w/Star
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Apr 30, 2018, 12:33 PM
#7
 Dan
Awesome finds. You are on a killer spot! Congrats.
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Apr 30, 2018, 12:36 PM
#8
 Chronic Patriot/Metal Detecting,it`s My Lifestyle !
Beautiful GW button congrats on a great find !
Gary
I`v been detecting for 52 years owned my own detector shop G.A.P. Metal Detectors here in N.Y.
See my old adds in Western & Eastern Treasures and Lost Treasure Magazines through the 90s
I hunt the Sullivan Trail here in N.Y.
"Success is just Rented, Never Owned and the Rent is due Daily"
"Its the Golden Rule who ever has the Gold Rules"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqdSl2jFjlE
WE THE PEOPLE
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Apr 30, 2018, 01:05 PM
#9
 Ryan
What a wonderful post! you really sound like you worked hard for these amazing finds, and the research and work has definitely paid off. Congratulations on all of the beautiful show pieces, with the center piece being the GW. Banner vote from me as well!
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Apr 30, 2018, 01:05 PM
#10
 Coin Rescue Tech
Congrats on those finds, especially the button. My Banner vote is going in.
Rescuing Coins 1 Beep at a time 
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Apr 30, 2018, 01:42 PM
#11
 VL Detecting
That’s a lot of neat finds! Congrats!
Best regards
 VLDETECTING 
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Apr 30, 2018, 01:45 PM
#12
Absolutely a killer hunt! Double killer on the GW button...Banner find!
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Apr 30, 2018, 01:46 PM
#13
 Silver Coin Fiend
Killer post, and big congrats on the GW button. That's one sweet looking specimen.
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Apr 30, 2018, 01:47 PM
#14
Congrats!!
You can't ask for a better looking button. You have some other amazing finds there as well. Sounds like you've found a great old site
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Apr 30, 2018, 01:49 PM
#15
 Title? old fart
beautiful GW button, I agree, Banner material. love the other finds too and that bell is sweet!
LUKE 15 : 8 "OR WHAT WOMAN, IF SHE HAS TEN SILVER COINS AND LOSES ONE COIN,DOES NOT LIGHT A LAMP AND SWEEP THE HOUSE AND SEARCH CAREFULLY UNTIL SHE FINDS IT?" 15 : 9 "AND WHEN SHE HAS FOUND IT, SHE CALLS TOGETHER HER FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, SAYING, "REJOICE WITH ME, FOR I HAVE FOUND THE COIN WHICH I HAD LOST!"
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