Archeology Field School find turns out to be a Barber Quarter

[thecolonel]

I am currently attending an archeological field school where we are hand troweling an old 1795 home here in New Hampshire. I was working on the north east corner of the foundation, 2nd layer.The context was yielding the typical sherds of cermamics, glass, bone, coal and other things most folks dont have to tend with when using a detector. I was digging through an ash heap within the layer and all of a sudden, the trowel uncovered a coin. A silver coin, from the ash. A 1905 Barber Quarter. Made my day. As a detectorist, I was thrilled. As an archeologist student, pleased that we were able to somewhat date the layer at 18cm down. I was obligated to turn it in with the rest of my finds, but was quite satisfied. Just wanted to share it with you.
Tom

 

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[opee]

She looks to be in good shape. Thanks for sharing.

 

[cjon455]

Now that's neat, tedious but neat!
Good find!

 

[payload77]

Nice!

 

[I-DIG-IT]

Nice digs.

 

[pepperj]

Nice find and one that most here can relate to over a layer of coal ash or similar layers of sedimentation.

Just wondering if you have brought up the fact that you are familiar with metal detecting and how does the archeological community feel about the detecting community?

 

[kingskid1611]

A Wonderful Endeavor blending both archaeological and metal detecting. I have a big interest in both. Thanks for sharing

 

[joeyfresh]

Nice find and one that most here can relate to over a layer of coal ash or similar layers of sedimentation.

Just wondering if you have brought up the fact that you are familiar with metal detecting and how does the archeological community feel about the detecting community?

I registered for the avocational archaeology program here in central Virginia a few years back and in order to enroll I had to sign an oath to not metal detect.......no thanks!

 

[basque-man]

Not to metal detect Omg, there is no way!!!!!

 

[BigWaveDave]

No detecting? Sir Charles says "that's turribul"

 

[Bass]

Great find, great post

 

[villagenut]

I too have done lots of screening,and yes, there is lots to be found using this method....buttons,marbles,chirt,doll parts etc. Quite tedious especially when after a day, you only cover less than 20 square feet if it is a pit dig. Nice that you got the best of both worlds in your blood(md and archae),I am surprised your instructor hasn't discouraged your md endeavors.BTW nice Barber, and are you allowed to pic your other artifacts or are they bagged and tagged soon after being sifted?

 

[thecolonel]

Hello. Just got back to this site. Sorry for the delay. The answer to your question is YES...they are aware of my metal detecting. Having a brief discussion with the staff archeologist i was somewhat surprised about the SLIGHT shift of thought that detectors are slowly ...and I mean slowly, finding their way into the tool bags of a few archeologists and used in the field. The argument is that when a detectorist is ripping into the earth, they take with the target, all the information that can be gleaned from it. And when that occurs, they feel the site is worthless to them.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Great looking large silver! Congratualtions on the recovery.

 

[crabstang44]

im not going to lie, i would have slowly slipped it in my pocket, lol

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on the silver