Mystery item

[Cobradude22]

Hello everyone. New here. Today I went metal detecting. Probably my 4th time going. I’m pretty sure I hit it big. We have been digging on an old 1800s house site. We’ve found wagon axles. Old water pumps. And today I came across this approximately 8 inches in a hole. I couldn’t contain the excitement. My first treasure. I’m pretty sure it’s gold. But does anyone know what it is? Thanks

 

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[glenn37216]

Whatever it is it looks hand made. Could be a bracelet... or a type of hanging broach charm. Definitely looks old ... Definitely looks like gold. WOW is all I can say. :P

 

[rastinirv]

Wow that is beautiful. My first thought -- and it may be incorrect -- is that it's part of a chatelaine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatelaine_(chain). Whatever it is, congratulations!

 

[Kray Gelder]

Wow. Another super jumpstart to a fun hobby! Way to go Cobradude! And welcome.

 

[Cobradude22]

Thanks for the advice everyone! This hobby is exhilarating. I have the Garrett ace 400. Working perfectly for me. Here is a few more finds from the site. I will try to keep you all updated on what I find out.

 

[Ia.FurTrade]

Possibly a pocket watch chain......with the 3 circles motif,could possibly be Odd Fellows related? Beautiful piece!!

Iowa Dale

 

[ScubaDetector]

Possibly a pocket watch chain......with the 3 circles motif,could possibly be Odd Fellows related? Beautiful piece!!

Iowa Dale

I was thinking the same thing before I saw your post. A pocket watch chain. No clue but interesting. Maybe a jeweler in your area would know.

 

[yardgoat]

Nice find. If it's not marked I'd pick up a acid test kit ( their cheap) and test it. Congrats and Welcome to the site...

 

[Indiana Mark]

Nice finds, congrats!

 

[niffler]

I would look it over REAL closely for hallmarks, and the marks can be tiny. That is one serious chunk of gold. A big congratulations is in order!

 

[Hawks88]

What ever it is it’s a beautiful find. Congratulations.

 

[CRUSADER]

Wow that is beautiful. My first thought -- and it may be incorrect -- is that it's part of a chatelaine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatelaine_(chain). Whatever it is, congratulations!

Thats my guess as well.

 

[UnderMiner]

It's gold for sure, someone long ago must have been very sad when they lost that, looks hand made. A great museum quality find. Big congrats!

 

[Cobradude22]

More items

Just a continuation on some finds. Still digging on the 1800s location. Really wanting to find a coin. So far tons of square nails and these items. Can anyone identify them or approximately guess the age? Thanks

 

[eman1000]

Wow that gives me some hope being in Indiana as well. Been at it for 4 years and haven't come close to anything like that. That's a nice hunk of gold! Sweet Find!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the nice relics and gold find!

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Great site you have found. The gold piece is really sweet. The flat button with no back mark and the leather rivet date mid to early 1800's. I'm sure you will find an old coin if you keep it up. Congrats!

 

[MoonTzu]

I collect antique pocket watches. I'll add my voice to the others in saying it looks to me like either part of a rather wide chain or most of a pocket watch fob. Because all the rings appear to be intact, I'm leaning toward the fob hypothesis. It could be gold or gold filled. If it is a watch fob, then the missing pieces could be the clasp suspended from the single ring (sometimes from a short, thin chain), which would be a likely place to break. At the wide end could be some sort of matching metal endpiece/charm or - in my head more likely because there's no indication of a break - a decorative ribbon made of fabric or woven hair. Whatever it is, it's a very cool find!

 

[grasshopper]

Nice!!!

Don't get used to finding big pieces of gold

Just kidding

 

[Cobradude22]

Jewelry Store

Well I just returned from the Jewelry store. They did the acid test on the piece and it turned black. He said that’s a red flag for gold. He said he thinks it’s gold filled. He said also the way the rings are held together is another red flag. He was skeptical about my story of digging it up on an 1800s site. We’ve done all the test here. It’s not magnetic whatsoever. It sinks to the bottom of a glass of water instantly. I don’t know what else to do or who to ask. My dad and I still believe it’s gold. I don’t know another metal that would be this pretty from being in the ground that long. He told us we could leave it in the shop until next Thursday for a gold guy to look at it... I said hell with that. I guess we will just have to find another opinion.