Half Cent, Bullets, Decorative large flat, Enfield with a plug, Wow!!

bearbqd

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Jun 20, 2007
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Hey everyone. Ok, first these are not all from the same day or the same place. I'm just trying to catch up on some of my recent finds to show everyone.

I have tried hard to find another large cent at the property that has produced seven of them so far. I wasn't able to cough one up, but I did manage to find a half cent about 10 inches down. This coin is far more corroded than all of the other large cents though, and the only reason that I can make out what it is is because the profile of the face was some what preserved. It is a 1800-1808 Draped Bust Half cent, but I can't tell you any more than that.

The nice decorative, flat button was found at another location. It is my first decorative flat. It has little corns on it. Check it out. The partial spoon above it is pretty interesting because of the little decorative markings on it. Anyone know what these signify as to its make?

The nice Sharps bullet and the others in the other shot were found in the same field that I have been hitting with civilman1. Such a nice varity of bullets has come out of this place so far. Most of them are usually a little beat up from being knocked around in a plowed field for so long, so you can imagine my pleasant surprise when that first REALLY nice Sharps popped out. It is probably my nicest dug bullet yet. It is nearly flawless as though it was cast a few days ago. I love it. Also, check out the fired Enfield. It still has its original wooden plug in the bottom of it. That's gotta be rare.

Ok, the best find in these shots is obviously the Artillery "A" button. I didn't even think this was old when I dug it up because of its amazing shape. Like the Sharps bullet, this thing looks like it could have recently been cast. The backmark of P. Tait and Limerick confirm this to be a Confederate button made by an English manufacturer from Limerick, England. I found a very similar one online with an asking price of $850.00. Sweet. I can't believe this little thing is more valuable than my nice Union officer sword belt plate.
This button was found at the same property as the decorative flat button.

The other shot with the horse head thing is also from this same house. The buttons are old, but I think the horsehead piece came off of a toy holster or boot or something. It's kinda neat though. Look at the sleeping baby robins. They were in a bush there at this same property. I wanted to get a shot of them with their necks all stretched up waiting for mom and dinner, but by the time I got back there later with a camera, they were all asleep with their tummys full I imagine.

The rainy sunset pic didn't come out too bad. It was taken on my way back from detecting the other day. It started raining on me so I had to pack up. This pick was taken doing 65 mph, still raining, and through the windshield with the wipers going. Still looks pretty good.

Oh yeah, I though I might add that the object with the bullets that looks like a musket ball....isn't. It isn't metal at all. I think it may be a clay marble. I just happened to eyeball it in the field while detecting.
 

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bearbqd

bearbqd

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more pics...
 

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bearbqd

bearbqd

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bearbqd

bearbqd

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BuckleBoy

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Jun 12, 2006
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BRAVO on all of it! The block "A" is quite a good find. Excellent other finds as well. I'm sure someone will help you out with the hallmarks on the pewter spoon handle soon enough. I'm not a hallmark guy...


Cheers,


Buckles
 

Montana Jim

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Sep 18, 2006
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I'm thinking those are not real hallmarks... I'm waiting to see what others say.

OUTSTANDING finds! Of course... a valuable button is gas money! LOL

I like the concho best... or rosette... whatever it is.
 

Dman

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Nice finds. I really like the block A button.
Dman
 

MonkeyBoy

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Feb 6, 2006
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Nice finds!! I thinking "Eagle A" then scroll down and bam... big old Block A!!! Outstanding!!!!

MonkeyBoy
 

civilman1

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Great dig's Barry...and you're right,that was one of the nicest Sharp's I've ever seen.I say we take bet's and remove the plug to see what's there.....57 maybe.I couldn't sleep at night :wink: Congrat's on the "A" button as well,I hope it's worth the $850 or so.Very nice find's.....Talk to ya later!!!
 

jgas

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A bird in hand and treasure under the bush..What a deal. Nice digs. Those are some great finds. jgas
 

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bearbqd

bearbqd

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Jun 20, 2007
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Montana Jim said:
I'm thinking those are not real hallmarks... I'm waiting to see what others say.

I don't get it. What do you mean you think they aren't real? They are on a "real" spoon from a 1700's property. Please explain.
 

brnn53

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Awesome block A! I like the bullets too. You've got a nice place to hunt. Congrats!
Mike
 

Don in SJ

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Your spoon handle appears upside down for the hallmarks, I have not found the answer, but I highly suspect 1800-1830's and made in Birmingham or Sheffield. Hope someone has a definite answer.

Don
 

Montana Jim

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Sep 18, 2006
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bearbqd said:
Montana Jim said:
I'm thinking those are not real hallmarks... I'm waiting to see what others say.

I don't get it. What do you mean you think they aren't real? They are on a "real" spoon from a 1700's property. Please explain.

Yes... I'll explain.

I see marks, I know the marks I see are real, I just don't think they are "hallmarks" or "maker's marks" in anyway.

a1.JPG

Usually the hallmarks are made up of various other individual marks that represent various things... like:

The Standard Mark - indicating sterling percentages for example
The Date Letter - a different letter of shape for each year
The Assay Office Mark - The office that tested the item for silver/gold purity
The Duty Mark - post 1784 - 1890, confirming a tax had been paid
The Commemorative Mark - 20th/21st century - optional mark representing a time
The Assay Master's Mark - Edinburgh marked silver, prior to 1760

American hallmarks/maker's marks are full names or designs... very unlike this set of marks.

None of your marks represent ANY either British OR American.

Hence - I think there are marks that are not real, but they are for decoration and made to resemble a real hallmark.

I DO think it's a period spoon handle for sure, and therefore very cool, and possibley can even be traced to a manufacturer because of the markings... ergo - cool find!

Does anyone out there know of this being an actual halmark? If so - please respond!
 

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