Trip to S.C. = 1853 Longacre "Type I" Liberty Head Gold Dollar!

[{Sentinel}]

What's up guys Just got back from a visit to see my mother, and brothers and sister down in South Carolina. While there, I did some research and found an old Confederate camp that was used to hold Yankee prisoners for about six months. The place is near my parents property and is overgrown with brush and woods now. On Friday I went out there to look around very late in the afternoon. After locating what looked like the breastworks and rifle-pits that would've surrounded it I dropped my
coil and within 5 minutes found a decent Eagle Button and that was all the evidence that I needed, the smoking gun so to speak, and secured my appointment to go back the next afternoon. Here's the video below about 2 hours into the dig and starts with me digging out the hole:





Second video after I took a few minutes to collect myself:






Needless to say I was stunned when that popped out. It was the LAST thing in the World that I would've expected to see come out. This camp was erected late in the war and most Confederate soldiers would not have had access to U.S. Gold coins like this. I believe that this was a Gold coin that was somehow hidden by a Northern soldier to keep until he was released or to use to bargain for goods. A U.S. Gold Dollar could by ALOT in the late war Confederacy and that soldier knew it. He could've used it to barter for foodstuffs (potatoes, bread, etc) really just about anything. He either buried it or lost it but I'm pretty sure it was probably lost because you just didn't bury something like gold and not recover it, unless of course that soldier died or was moved so abruptly that there WAS no time to recover it.
My brother was with me behind the camera and was amazed and he got alittle mad because he didn't find much (he wasn't over the learning curve quite yet with the Ace 250 w/ 10x14 Excelerator Coil). This Dollar was the most minted of the years but is in great condition. According to PCGS the high points are the hair near the coronet and the points of the leaves on the reverse and there's very little to no wear. Comparing it to the PCGS photos of this coin, it grades in the higher AU range. If it had been a "D" or "C" worth more but just to dig a Civil War era Gold coin is a very rare and exhilarating find indeed and something I won't ever forget! Thanks for looking



Photos (Uncleaned)










Photos (Rinsed with alittle water)

[Bunker]

Awesome, you did the research and it paid off!!
HH
Bunker

[VOL1266-X]

What in the heck are you going to dig next Josh-the Crown of the Queen of Egypt Great find. I'm sure you will find a little spot in your collection for that baby. WTG AGAIN and HH, Quindy.

[terpfan]

Sentinel, that is a STUNNING find and a terrific historical find. The emotion in that video was awesome. Congratulations, this one will be on the banner in no time!

[kuger]

Now there is a BANNER!!People dont realize that yes all gold coins are rare but the small $1.00,and even $2.5 is REALLY RARE!For one they are small and dont really give a great signal and two,small denomination gold wasnt extremely popular!Good for you Sentinal!!!!

[Deepdiger60]

That is a great coin beautiful in good shape , one that is always on anyone,s list show the Eagle button also . Real good hunt Banner find !! Dd60

[capri_auto]

Amazing find, great that you caught it on camera!

[pete3370]

Wow just wow....

[Nana40]

I've been about to die to tell everyone what you found! (Someone called and let me in on your fantastic hunt this weekend.)

Absolutely stunning find, Senti! Banner day! And always GREAT to see the videos!

Nana

there................now, I feel better.

[romeo-1]

Hello Banner Gold!!

[mainer]

Glad to finaly see it buddy, been waitin two days to get my eyes on it. What a find. Wow. You have reached the top of the mountain. Hope your right up next to me on the banner board my friend. You obviously have my vote.

[zaxfire69]

Congrats to you on finding such a beautiful coin. Wow. You find some amazing finds.

[kimsdad]

I am so glad you captured that coin coming up on video!

Big congrats on an amazing BANNER find!!!

What a feeling that must have been to see that in your hand!

We have a

[crazyjarhead]

Banner all the way. You have my vote. How do you get so luckey?? That is one hell of a find, Sentinel

[CMDiamonddawg]

Mercy Josh .. That gold piece is a beauty !!! Banner vote .. CMD 8) vid

[civilman1]

" What in the heck are you going to dig next Josh-the Crown of the Queen of Egypt " No he's going to repeal Healthcare all by himself.....You dawg you!!! What a beautiful coin Josh....You got my Banner vote bud.One helluva year for ya.

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Absolutely one of the best gold finds that I've seen in a long time
Loved the video of you finding it as well, did you find anymore gold while you were there!
Banner vote is in!

[poppy in pa.]

FANTASTIC Great videos, I vote BANNER. I think you should visit the folks soon and see what other cool finds are waiting for you. Poppy;

[civilman1]

Oh yeah Josh......One more Bud,one more

[Trezurehunter]

Outstanding find. Still looking for my first gold coin.