A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper
The temperature finally dropped to a very comfortable range for hunting in the woods, so I went out this morning with at least the goal of getting the ole swingin arms back into shape after no detecting for awhile. If I found anything good it would be considered a bonus.
I was pleasantly surprised with the results of my 2 hours on a small site that a few years ago produced only a few late 1700s buttons and a thimble or two.
The first find was the button which upon cleaning appears to be a acorn in the center, so rather nice to get one with some design.
The second find was a somewhat iffy coin reading, very deep and I was hoping it was a coin and not a large button or other copper item. To my delight a round copper piece appears. This coin after cleaning was identified as a 1786 NJ copper! The variety is a 14-J (common type) Maris 15-L (Common variety)......
The third find was a reading that was bouncing from a good copper to a iron type reading, but since it was for sure an solid reading I dug and was rewarded with a hunk of rusty something that at once reminded me possibly of being part of a musket. Need help on this one for a possible ID.
The fourth find was another iffy reading and it appears after cleaning just to be a round lead disc that someone drilled a hole in, for awhile I thought it might be a counterfeit coin, but I see no details indicating so.
The fifth find was just a brass round ring shaped type relic, no idea, nothing of significance that is for sure. It is in the group shot at the end of this post.
But, the 6th target was the best find of the day and one of my top finds ever for rarity. I knew it was a large cent by the size and thickness and was fairly certain it was a Draped Bust. Upon cleaning, I saw that it had nice details and I would without too much problem be able to attribute the variety. I got out Breen's book on early year large cents and looking at my coin I noticed the cud on the edge of the reverse so I started by looking for one that matched. Sure enough I found one rather quickly, and believe me, there are many varieties of 1797 so I was pleasantly surprised I found my match within minutes.
Well, then I looked at the rarity for this one, and the Sheldon NC-2 for 1797 is a RARITY 6! That is Very Rare and that made me want to get another opinion before I posted here.. I did so and it has been confirmed that it is indeed the NC-2, the cud is the giveaway for IDing it and I have been told only about 22 of this variety are known. Since Large Cent collectors are a large group, that is good news for me.
I wish it did not have the corrosion damage, but the coin is what the coin is, I did my best to conserve the coin and it is a welcomed addition to my collection.
So, my short hunt, in July (a July hunt is a rare event for me) made my month for sure. I still prefer the 1793 I got earlier this year for the thrill of the find, but it sure is nice finding another rare Large Cent variety.
Don
"The mantra has always been don't clean a (copper) coin or it will lose value.
For undug coins this is true. For dug coins this is untrue.
The value will increase with judicious cleaning."
Re: A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper
Wow...now there's a banner worthy item! Green with envy for those large cents. Wanting one of any of the colonial styles but doubt they will come my way where I am.
I hope the other chunk of iron is what you think it is. The coins are always good but the history/relic is that much cooler!
Re: A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper
I guess this means your back!
Seems like this year is going to be one of your best ever if things keep popping out like that!
I think the holed lead served a purpose because I have found them before, and seen some posted. I also agree on the accorn, and if the iron is a musket hammer it sure is thick with rust!
AMERICAN DIGGERS ON SPIKE: THE TRASH WE WOULD LIKE TO DISCRIMINATE OUT!
Re: A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper
B B B B B BANNNER FIND.
Well done. I think the state of the 1797 is very nice and having the CUD on the coin probably helped allot. A very unique find there I must say. Thank you for sharing and keep on looking in the area.
Be Well
Christian K Thomas
"The borders of our nation are defined by the graves of our fallen soldiers buried on foreign soil" Gen G.S. Patton
Re: A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper
I'll vote Banner on an R-6 Largie. I thought you'd spent all your good karma digging TWO Capped Bust Halves this year! Great to see both of those excellent coins--the LC could've easily been overlooked in favor of the NJ being the star find of the hunt, so Bravo for looking through the 1797's for an ID on the variety. That button is a nice addition to the collection as well. I have not seen a type decorated like that before.
Cheers,
Buckles
Spring 2012 CaneField Bandits Totals: TEN Half Reales:
1740, 1777, 1784, 1796, 1801, 180?, 1806, 1807, 1808, and 1814
1836 8 Reales
A 17?? One Real
1819 Token/Jeton
Two "Russian Blue" Trade Beads
Henry Clay Campaign Button FIVE Early New Orleans Seated Coins:
1838-O Dime (no stars), Three 1839-O Half Dimes, an 1840-O Dime, and an 1842-O Half Dime
1892 Barber Dime
1918 Walking Liberty Half
1866 and 18?? Shield Nickels, and some GawGag V's and Beefaloes. Military Relics: Possible Spanish Colonial Era Cap Badge
FOUR War of 1812 Artillery Buttons
1820s Pewter Militia "U.S." Button
CW Eagle Artillery Cuff Button
CW Eagle Infantry Officer's Coat Button
3-Ringers, Enfields, Musketballs, and Shell Fragments
Any relics, coins, or other items appearing in my finds posts were found on PRIVATE PROPERTY with total consent and permission from the owners of said property.
Re: A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper
You've got my banner vote, as well! The lead thing with a hole is a 19th century nail seal, I believe. I dig them a lot and got them ID'd by a friend at the VA Historical Society.
Re: A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper
Originally Posted by kyphote
You've got my banner vote, as well! The lead thing with a hole is a 19th century nail seal, I believe. I dig them a lot and got them ID'd by a friend at the VA Historical Society.
Hmmmn on the nail seal, it is a round hole, so I would lean heavily against it being a nail seal.
Don
"The mantra has always been don't clean a (copper) coin or it will lose value.
For undug coins this is true. For dug coins this is untrue.
The value will increase with judicious cleaning."
Re: A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper
Originally Posted by VERMONTPACKRAT
Those finds in a two hour hunt would make anyones day The Draped Bust is truly awsome and how many NJ coppers does this make for you?
1 of 22 known on the LC, You have a BANNER vote from me too
VPR
My 15th New Jersey copper, wish it were more.
Don
"The mantra has always been don't clean a (copper) coin or it will lose value.
For undug coins this is true. For dug coins this is untrue.
The value will increase with judicious cleaning."
Re: A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper
Originally Posted by Don in SJ
Originally Posted by kyphote
You've got my banner vote, as well! The lead thing with a hole is a 19th century nail seal, I believe. I dig them a lot and got them ID'd by a friend at the VA Historical Society.
Hmmmn on the nail seal, it is a round hole, so I would lean heavily against it being a nail seal.
Don
Why does a round hole rule out a nail seal? The seal hasn't been used and the hole simply acts as a primer. At least that's how it was explained to me.
Re: A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper
Not many square nails would go through a round hole that small and not make the hole squarish. Also, no nails found at all at this site, not even sure a building was ever there, maybe just a work campsite for the nearby iron stone mining.
Don
"The mantra has always been don't clean a (copper) coin or it will lose value.
For undug coins this is true. For dug coins this is untrue.
The value will increase with judicious cleaning."
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and your other finds are just as impressive, congrats!
Originally Posted by kyphote
