Wow what a way to start 2016

[stillrollin300]

First off the weather was beautiful over the weekend so I called my good friend Wes and on Saturday we headed to a site I have been researching. According to research it should have been a early 1700's home site on the property and it was confirmed two weeks ago when we got into a good patch just before leaving. So we hit the field early and it didn't disappoint. If this is how 2016 is going to go for me its going to be a good year.

1st hole 10 minutes into detecting and this 1857? three cent piece pops up.




Then after some searching and picking up some scrap brass and lead we headed back to the truck for Wes to switch out machines. We were looking at the adjacent field and just wanted to give it a quick once over. Nothing was shown on the maps but just to be safe. We struck out but signals were very limited. I dug this which I can assume is some sort of weight




Just as we were about to head back to where the hot spot was I got a killer signal dug down and this beauty pops up?




So this of course caused us to spend more time searching about that area, but to no avail there were no more signals so we went back to our hot spot. Then the buttons and old colonial silver started just jumping out at me!!!

Carolus iii holed real




Philip cut real




Then the find that made the day (as if I hadn't already had a killer day) this 1649-1660 British Commonwealth cut shilling!!! its beat all to pieces because of farm equipment but you can clearly see it!!




Finally here is the group shot


This is a day I won't soon forget!

 

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[stillrollin300]

In case anyone was interested here is the video

 

[toasted]

I would be setting up camp on a site like that. Well done.

 

[Bartek]

That's some nice diggs! Way to start off the year!

 

[OutdoorAdv]

INCREDIBLE! 4 pieces of colonial silver and a handful of relics is a mind blowing hunt. Awesome job Cant wait to see what else you find at this place.

 

[dougj7]

Congrats on an awesome hunt. You scored some real oldies.

 

[CRUSADER]

That is an amazing day, are you sure its the size of a Commonwealth Shilling? That is a very rare coin & one I need, got the Penny & Halfgroat!

 

[stillrollin300]

Cru, I thought it was but I'm no expert in British coins. How can I determine exactly which one it is?

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Man what a site you have there!! Not just multiple colonial silver but a never-seen Commonwealth shilling. I've recovered the silver penny, but have never even heard of the shilling denomination being dug in the US. And if Cru hasn't found one over his way you know it has to be ultra-rare. Although it may not be in the best shape, its a no-brainer for banner. Outstanding hunt!!

 

[CRUSADER]

Cru, I thought it was but I'm no expert in British coins. How can I determine exactly which one it is?

Basically its size, what is its length across the cut?

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Basically its size, what is its length across the cut?

Based on comparing it to his other finds it definitely looks much bigger than the penny or half groat size. I'd say it has to be the shilling.

 

[CRUSADER]

Based on comparing it to his other finds it definitely looks much bigger than the penny or half groat size. I'd say it has to be the shilling.

Or a Sixpence.

 

[CRUSADER]

With the Sun mintmark it narrows the dates to:

If Shilling, diameter circa 32mm - 1649-57
If Sixpence, dia 27mm - 1649-57

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

With the Sun mintmark it narrows the dates to:

If Shilling, diameter circa 32mm - 1649-57
If Sixpence, dia 27mm - 1649-57

I forgot about the sixpence, and it appears that's what it is.

 

[ironhorse]

Some pile of old silver there!
I'm sure a trip back there is due!

 

[CRUSADER]

I forgot about the sixpence, and it appears that's what it is.

Yes most likely, rare but not as rare as the Shilling, but one I may never get, even a cut one.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

With the Sun mintmark it narrows the dates to:

If Shilling, diameter circa 32mm - 1649-57
If Sixpence, dia 27mm - 1649-57

By measuring and extrapolating from the group pic, his coin appears to have a diameter exactly 1.33 times that of the 1/2 reale, which is 17.7mm according to the reference books. That makes his about 24mm which would definitely not be a shilling. Due to some distortion from the bending and possible clipping it would make sense that his coin would be a little smaller than the standard size of 27mm for the sixpence. Anyway, that's my thoughts.

 

[stillrollin300]

My measuring and extrapolating from the group pic, his coin appears to have a diameter exactly 1.33 times that of the 1/2 reale, which is 17.7mm according to the reference books. That makes his about 24mm which would definitely not be a shilling. Due to some distortion from the bending and possible clipping it would make sense that his coin would be a little smaller than the standard size of 27mm for the sixpence. Anyway, that's my thoughts.

Thanks guys, I was really looking forward to your guys input. I knew it was something different as its not like anything I had found before. I will get some exact measurements tonight when I get home.

 

[Gaspipe]

Great finds . For days like that there should be a "love " it icon rather than just "like".

 

[CRUSADER]

PS. It is possible the cut mark/hole was down with a small blade at the time. Its lost none of it weigh in silver & they would check coins to see if they were plated, especially a coin they have never seen.