Draped Bust Half Dime

[tim g]

First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Tim Guthormsen and I live in Hartsville, TN. I have been metal detecting for about 8 yrs. Started out coin hunting, but have progressed into relic hunting. I am the current VP of the Middle Tennessee Metal Detecting Club in Nashville ( mtmdc.com ).

Alright, enough about me, let's get to the find. I met up with a couple fellow club members Saturday and we went to an old pioneer town in Mid TN along the Cumberland River. It was a site that had given up a few decent relics for us before, but nothing like what I was going to find. The last time we were there, I dug an 1833 Capped Bust Half Dime, so I started where I found that. After about 15 minutes into the hunt, I got a fairly good sounding signal, but it also sounded shallow. Most of these type of signals have been brass casings from WWII maneuvers that were held all over the site. I had also dug a couple nice flat buttons, so there wasn't a question that I was going to have to see what the target was. I dug a shallow plug (only about 3-4 inches deep) and the target was in it. When I broke the plug open, I was expecting to see another WWII blank, but instead I saw the glint of silver!! That got my heart pumping a little bit. I removed it from the plug and it didn't register right away what I had found. I was looking at the back of the coin and there was a funny looking, skinny bird on the back. Then it hit me and I realized that I had an early American coin!! Now I was REALLY excited!! I ran over to the guys I was hunting with before I even flipped it over to see the front of the coin. I lightly brushed the dirt off the front and saw that it was a 1797 Draped Bust Half Dime!!! This is the oldest, rarest (only 44,527 minted) and most valuable coin that I had ever found!! It wasn't in the greatest shape, but still the best coin find I have ever made. One of the guys I was hunting with found a 1782 Spanish 1 Reale about 20 feet from where I found my coins. This site has been really good to us, and there is still A LOT more ground to cover!! Happy Hunting everyone.

Tim Guthormsen

 

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[testing123]

Awesome find

According to the Red Book that would grade as a G4 and books for $1100

Congrats and HH,
Brian

This coin would grade as a "Poor-2", (or 1), and qualifier of "scratched" or "damaged". GREAT FIND. Congrats................Hogge

A major congratulations on your superb find!
It may go upwards of an AG3 in terms of wear, but the Redbook lists values for coins in "problem-free" condition, so we should not use the Redbook as a valuation tool for dug coins. As Hogge said, there are some scratches/damage on it after being in the ground for 200 years. Usually eBay completed auction history would be a good indicator of value (need to find one with similar wear and damage), or even the Heritage auction archives. You may want to consider sending it to PCGS to get it into a “Geniune” holder, or even to NGC or ANACS. It can be a little expensive, but a find like that deserves some decent protection.

I checked out ebay's recently sold area and found this. http://cgi.ebay.com/1797-Draped-Bus...mQQptZCoins_US_Individual?hash=item2558cd9802 It looks to be in about the same condition as mine.

That looks like a close match that will give you a good valuation. Your one find is probably more valuable than all of my 2009 finds combined! Congrats again!

 

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[jorge del norte]

You've got my Banner vote! Beautiful dime

Maybe people don't know the guidance on Banner finds, but you can't get one on your first post. Sadly its the rules

buzz kill.haha. nice tho

 

[Kyle PA]

A buddy of mine who used to reside in Upstate NY dug an Extra Fine 1797 a few years ago. Great find!

 

[Jerry1NJ]

Great find!!!!!

 

[hogge]

Tim, Too bad being the first post you won't make the Banner. Really don't think it matters. As regards to having it graded, I think most collectors like to examine the coin in the metal, more than in a holder. Maybe one of the other guys, like Don in SJ, can ID the variety for you. (I don't know the classification of Die Varieties on 1/2 dimes). If it were mine........well.........I think everyone knows where it would go. BIG CONGRATS..........and Welcome! Hogge

 

[gleaner1]

Congratulations Tim. Hope you didn't pass out on that one, I would've.

 

[Mach1Pilot]

Congrats on a great find! They sure are tiny, aren't they!

I'll say banner too, sorry the rules will not allow it.

 

[Tnmountains]

Welcome to t-net. I drove over the Cumberland 8 days ago. That coin is fantastic. Your area is rich in history similiar to Chattanooga. Hope you continue posting your finds and sharing them with us.
HH,
TnMtns

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Once in a lifetime find!

I vote banner on this one!

 

[p2c]

Awesome find! Best US coin I've seen found in a long time.
Banner definitely

 

[Call me a Plumber]

Tim G great find buddy I wish the rest of the Tnet crew would report in with as many facts as you have Its kinda nice to know Y'alls name and where your from it makes the story that much more interesting to read. Oh by the way I kind of felt like I was back in typing class reading your story had to go back and forth four or five times but it was worth it. I vote Banner as well. The Plumber.

 

[KOOTNEY KID]

Awsome ,teriffic,super,excellent,incredible,love that coin,should I say more. CONGRATS ........K.KID...ps welcome.

 

[rjw4law]

These are the ones we dream of.

 

[washingtonian]

Banner!

 

[BuckleBoy]

A buddy of mine who used to reside in Upstate NY dug an Extra Fine 1797 a few years ago. Great find!

Yeah? Well, my Dad is stronger than your Dad.

 

[tim g]

I re-posted this and another coin that I found recently on the coins fourm here on TNet. Maybe that post could be banner? Hey, it's worth a shot. I'd like to thank everyone for their kind remarks!

 

[kane23]

Life is short, but sometimes really SWEET! GH kane 23

 

[CRUSADER]

I re-posted this and another coin that I found recently on the coins fourm here on TNet. Maybe that post could be banner? Hey, it's worth a shot. I'd like to thank everyone for their kind remarks!

cats out of the bag. You needed to be at least a Junior member before posting...

 

[tim g]

Tim,
Welcome to TN. Congrats on the nice coin.
Dman

Thanks Dman, have you done any investigating about those buried coins yet? Let me know when you want to try to go after them!!

 

[Deno]

Tim, that is the find of a lifetime. I wish they would change the rule
on the banner. That should be there for everone to see.