I had a similar experience years ago when I detected an object beside a very old cut down tree. I dug down about 12 inches and found what appeared to be a silver round Alladdins lamp kind of vessel. It had a top on it and when pried off, to my dismay, it was empty. I know how it feels though, heart pounding screaming for my buddy etc. What a rush. I'll post a picture of the container when I get a chance.
First, congrats on finding the purse! Just remember...anything could have been in there, even a few gold coins!
Those first 3 seconds are real heart pounders!
......I had a little..uh hmm... Encounter with a 10 cent euro...,the darn thing was gold colored!!!!! And I thought ...in those first 3 seconds....GOLD COIN!!!!!,....nope!....euro!