Vermont Landscape Copper!!! Plus Draped Bust Half Cent and Relics

paleomaxx

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Just before the snow I got permission to check out the yard around an awesome 1760's house. It's been detected before, but the open land is pretty large and the Deus is good at sniffing out what other detectors missed so I gave it a shot and was not disappointed! The area around the house had been done thoroughly so I started further away towards a slope leading to the treeline. After a few of the usual modern trash targets I got a perfect 92-93 tone. It was actually too consistent and shallow so I thought it would be a clad dime, but instead a nice green disc fell out of the plug. It wasn't until later when I started cleaning it that I realized it wasn't a toasted KG copper, but a Vermontensium landscape copper!

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The details aren't that great, but the ground was actually pretty kind to it; I think it was just well circulated before being lost. That said, there's still more than enough features to identify the variety as a Ryder 6. It's an off-strike so the date missed the planchette, but this would be 1786. I like how much of the sun and mountains survived and the reverse is actually clear as long as you get the lighting right. Landscape coppers in any condition are rare finds though so I'm thrilled this turned up! :hello2:

I did find one other colonial copper lurking in the yard. This one was worn down to almost nothing before being lost:

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I can just barely make out Britannia and the left-facing bust so I know it's a King George II half penny. Based on the weight it's actually a regal issue too.

The prettiest copper award goes to the half cent though:

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It's an 1804 draped bust half cent with a crosslet four and stems. This is easily my best looking half cent with lots of detail on the obverse and a nice clear date. It was actually right next to the house too and one of those deep and faint high-tones that the Deus is awesome at catching as long as you're going slow.

I did find a number of more recent coins spread around the house that were also missed:

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A 1905 v-nickel, a 1906 barber dime (in great shape), and a 1907 IHP. It's silly, but I like that the dates line up. :laughing7:

One very cool relic turned up that I think might be sterling:

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At first I thought it was a fishing lure, but after I cleaned it up I saw the pin attachment on the back. There are no hallmarks nor any other maker's marks on the thing, but it seems to be solid silver. I'm not even sure how old it it, but I suspect Victorian. Maybe a locally made piece, but it should have some sort of a mark on it.

Not too much in the way of older relics, but a couple of nice buttons:

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And last but not least an eagle piece:

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I'm pretty sure it's the center of a stamped brass 1850's tongue buckle. Definitely a cool find even if it's broken!

I know there's more around the yard so I'll be giving it another few passes this spring. There's snow on the ground currently and it's very cold, but I think it'll warm up next week so I'll be aiming on a few more spots before the winter really sets in.
 

Upvote 26

Jeff H

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May 5, 2008
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Nice digs Paleo! I have regular VT but still lusting after a Landscape. I think they are the nicest looking coppers. Any half cent is great but you got a real sharp one there. Congrats on several very nice finds.
 

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paleomaxx

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Nice digs Paleo! I have regular VT but still lusting after a Landscape. I think they are the nicest looking coppers.

I agree, it's my favorite design of all the state coppers. Supposedly the design was considered so odd at the time that they wouldn't circulate outside of Vermont which is why the Vermont mint switched to a design that better resembled the British halfpenny. It's probably why they're so rarely dug outside of Vermont as well as the fact that the mintage was low those first couple of years.
 

Bquamb

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I didnt realize the value held by those 1/2 Cent's - Thats got some great detail as well for 215 years young.
 

Digger RJ

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Very Nice!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!
 

CMDiamonddawg

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Awesome Colonial farm , scored some tough early American coppers ,

Good day !
 

Bitdrop

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Beautiful finds, VT Landscape is high on my list.
 

Goldiver

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Man, I love the Vermont copper, that is on my want to dig list! That Half Cent is a beauty too.

Steve
 

smokeythecat

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You did very well! Down here we hardly ever get those kind of state coppers! Way to go!
 

grasshopper

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Dang, awesome man. Congrats on some beautiful finds.
 

toasted

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Congrats on the State copper. Even the Connecticuts are very rare in my area. Only ever found one that I could positively id
 

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HuntH2002

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Awesome finds!! Always a great day after scoring ancient.:occasion14:
 

1KBlueTuber

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Great Hunt! I think your pin may have been a lure at one time, possibly a spinner fashioned into a pin. I’ll check my reference books. Congrats
 

tahomatom

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Good finds on all. Looks as if they may be worth some $N
I'm getting a trip together for next fall to Ludlow & hopefully my friend will be able to line up some old places.
 

villagenut

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Awesome DB:thumbsup:.....thought I was gonna see a half dollar though, your thread title left me hanging as I browsed what's new
 

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Oct 5, 2014
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Congrats on the old coppers! :occasion14:
 

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paleomaxx

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Awesome DB.....thought I was gonna see a half dollar though, your thread title left me hanging as I browsed what's new

I wish; that hunt was good, but not draped bust half dollar good! :laughing7:
 

xcopperstax

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You did really well there! Congrats on the VT, KG, and the half cent is just about perfect! Thanks for a good hunt story this makes me want to get a Deus!
 

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