Just when I thought I'd seen it all with the double helping of 1840s, Orleans Mint Seated Liberty Goodness last hunt, we moved our game to the next level--and half a century earlier--this week with a double Spanish Silver day!
First off, let's get everyone in the mood with a soundtrack for you to listen to while you read this post, and then I'll tell ya a story. 8)
I met up with Shanegalang and we got on the muddy mucky canefields this morning at Dawn. Stopped by and said hello to Old Bernard Bonnier and he came along with us as our mascot on our hunt. We had noticed some signs of a few other houses on the massive property during our earlier hunts, and decided to go and check one of them out. The amount of brick was intense for this one, to the point that we thought it might've once been an old Sugar Mill. It was almost as if a brick bomb had dropped from the sky and exploded all over the field.
We got to work.
Immediately, we started digging flat button after flat button.
I got a nice tombac, and found a piece of a Civil War sword belt rig. Shane dug a WWI era great seal button. But to be honest, these were the only post-1850s finds made today. I dug a piece of a solid silver spoon bowl (scalloped shell design where it meets the spoon bowl). Shane dug a nice cast pewter domed button with a fat shank on it.
As the clouds overtook the skies we started getting hungry, so we decided to take a little break and grab some file gumbo. We kept getting more and more hungry, and dragging our feet on that break... Well, right before our lunch I got a call from Hill Billy asking what I was doing. "What do you think I'm doing?" I asked right back. He then told me to get off the phone and get hunting so Shane didn't skunk me.
I turned the next row, and got a shallow double-beep signal right on top. I dug a little little baby scoop out of the muck and and saw a flash of something shiny! I immediately got down on my knees to take a photo of the little beauty. I knew it had to be either a 3c silver or Spanish. And when I saw how worn it was, I knew it had to be a Spanish Half Real.
Old Bill Hilly must have called me with the good mojo, because my last Spanish was dug the year I met him. Since then, he has managed to hoover them all up--from Half Reales to One Reales, and even FOUR Big 8's. I had to move 750 miles away to dig one again.
After the excitement and celebration, we decided it would be a good time to break for Gumbo.
When we returned to our new favorite field, Shane was on a mission. He dug a trigger guard piece, two padlock keyhole covers, and a nice Colonial Shoe Buckle Piece.
Then in an instant, he looked at me and said "I found something the same as what you found!" My gears started turning, probably looking at him with a blank expression thinking "Bullet?" "Button?" Did he find a sabre belt rig piece? He looked at me and clarified things: "COIN!"
At that point, I decided to run over. It was a SECOND Half Real!!!
We hit it a bit longer, all the while watching the weather radar as the storm clouds moved in, and the cold rain spat at us off and on. (Translation for the Northerners on the Forum: "Cold" rain is 60 degree rain when it is almost 80 outside. Brrrrr! ) Right after I snapped this photo, the rain moved in and poured buckets on us, ending the hunt.
FINDS PHOTOS BELOW:
Last edited by BuckleBoy; May 16, 2012 at 10:37 PM.
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.
And here are the finds. The beautiful pottery continued this trip. Here are Shane's pottery finds:
And mine. (I'm really pleased with the FANCY piece in the top center). Note the two Colonial Era Clay Pipe Stems.
And what would we do without some GawGag? I'm gonna post it, whether or not you want to see it. Melted, splashed, and hammered-out-thin lead bits...pack studs...etc.
Shane's keepers. Trigger guard piece in the middle. Shoe buckle piece to the left of it. Old-as-hell iron key. Buttons. Spanish. 8) Can anyone ID the big piece of brass?
Shane's WWI Great Seal
My finds, including the CW sword belt stud, solid silver spoon piece, and Spanish.
And my Spanish. Worn, but OLD. Mine is an 1806 Carolus IIII.
Shane really found an excellent coin. His 1807 beats mine on condition hands down:
Now, we've found two Spanish, two 1840s Seateds, a Shield Nickel, and two V Nickels on this massive property. Now I'm not one to complain about finding 200 year old silver...but did none of the folk here ever carry anything smaller than five cents? There is a LC or better out here somewhere. But another Spanish or military button wouldn't be bad either.
Best Wishes and Happy Hunting,
The CaneField Bandits
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.
I knew when I heard your voice on the phone this morning with it raining in here in Tennessee that somebody had found something VERY good. Your first Spanish Silver since 2007 and you were very excited and should have been. Then, when I heard your voice about lunchtime and heard Shane yelling "AIEE" in the background I knew HE had dug something good too. What is the statistical probability of 2 hunters digging the same denomination of Spanish coins far apart in the same field and only one year apart?
Excellent finds and I hope HB calls me and Dman when we hunt with tennessee digger this week-LOl. Congrats on finding some scarce coins and your first sword belt stud, Q.
Best CW Finds:
Tenn.& Ind. State Veterans Pins
CS Buttons: AVC, "I", KY
CS Militia Buckle, Acorn Bullet, Heart Rosette
1851 Sword Belt plate, 2 Breastplates, Saddle Shield
Old Coins: 1797 H. Reale, 1832 8 Reales
CW Pd. Silver Coins: 1830 Dime, 1854 Dime, 1853 HD
Great stuff,I knew I smelt some old silver on them sites you guy's are in. Looks good man, you guy's stay with it.
Best To Ya,
&
Continue On.......
Take Care,
Pete,
Where do I start?? FOUR silvers in two months, what, eight hunts? Maybe six? ALL 1842 and before. I know now what referring to a 1920s site as NEW feels like A big thanks goes out to Bernard and Will I thank you for all that you share with me about everything from research, hunting techniques, detector settings and moral standards that keep this hobby available for everyone. Oh and the finds cleaning advice. I wouldnt be finding this stuff without your help. I'm already getting fired up for the next bandit run!! Until next time.............take 2 of the six nugget special and gimme four! I'm watching my calorie intake Happy Hunting all........Shanegalang
Heres a picture of my display case that I pickjed up at a flea market last week end for 25 bucks!! Everything in it has come from the fields we are hunting.
Spring 2012 CaneField Bandits Totals: TEN Half Reales:
1740, 1777, 1784, 1796, 1801, 180?, 1806, 1807, 1808, and 1814
1836 8 Reales
A Dateless One Real
1819 Token/Jeton
Two "Russian Blue" Trade Beads FOUR Early New Orleans Seated Coins:
1838-O Dime (no stars), 1839-O Half Dime, 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:
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.
Congrats on your VERY productive hunt, guys!! BB, I remember look on your face when you pulled that Reale out in 2008, and I'm sure this time it was just the same. That unforgettable feeling with the adrenaline pumping through your blood. What a rush!! Congrats again, and best wishes for more early silver to come your way!!
If you search long enough, you will find what you are looking for.
I knew when I heard your voice on the phone this morning with it raining in here in Tennessee that somebody had found something VERY good. Your first Spanish Silver since 2007 and you were very excited and should have been. Then, when I heard your voice about lunchtime and heard Shane yelling "AIEE" in the background I knew HE had dug something good too. What is the statistical probability of 2 hunters digging the same denomination of Spanish coins far apart in the same field and only one year apart?
Excellent finds and I hope HB calls me and Dman when we hunt with tennessee digger this week-LOl. Congrats on finding some scarce coins and your first sword belt stud, Q.
Yep, I think you would have a blast hunting down here with us. Keep me posted if you'd like to make the trip some time. You have been a good friend for many years now. Thanks for the moral support when we weren't finding, and the good posts of relics to keep my spirits up. HB should have your number now. Hopefully he will be in touch. He's one of the best--and he is a GREAT personality to hunt with.
Originally Posted by kuger
Good eye Quindy!!
Big congrats B.B.!!!I knew once ya got back in the saddle you would pick up right where ya left off!!!
It's been a while to get to this point here. I had to have a massive amount of extra time to research a new area. Time to drive and explore/meet owners. Time to even detect on top of the research time. And I needed a good huntin' buddy. Now everything is working out.
Thanks for your reply, my friend.
Best Wishes,
Buck
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.
Well you know I'm still looking & you guys get 2 in 1 hunt
'but did none of the folk here ever carry anything smaller than five cents?'
Turn that on it's head & think bigger
TOO BUSY TO DETECT, YOU'RE TOO BUSY!!!
'No good comes from thinking about how much time we waste detecting, as wasted time is good soul time' - me 25/06/08
How do you find Gold coins? Reply: 'By finding lots of Silver ones..'
A real man thinks about detecting every 6 seconds
"Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God the Father, means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us." James 1:27
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We kept getting more and more hungry, and dragging our feet on that break... Well, right before our lunch I got a call from Hill Billy asking what I was doing. "What do you think I'm doing?" I asked right back. 
He then told me to get off the phone and get hunting so Shane didn't skunk me. 
I had to move 750 miles away to dig one again. 
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Good music, good finds, good food, you can't beat that.
Originally Posted by VOL1266-X
