1793 Chain Cent

[Kurt Franz THB]

Happy New Year everyone! We were detecting at my buddies house that was built in 1851. It was a pretty slow day until I dug a wiped copper along the driveway. Working the same area I got a perfect coin signal. I thought it was going to be Silver. It was that perfect of a signal. Out pops the fattest copper coin I've ever seen. I gave it a quick toothpick and FREAKED when I saw a chain looking back at me. The verdigris is pretty bad on her, but she's identifiable. I'll I've done is some very light toothpicking to remove dirt. I'm not doing anything else to her. I am open to the idea of professional cleaning, but even that scares me. I love her the way she is for now. We all have some sort of Bucket List of thing we want to find. I also have a fantasy bucket list for a few items I never actually expect to find. Well... I dug one off my fantasy list. 1793 Flowing Hair Chain Cent!!

Other notables this day at a different location. Bill dug a worn Liberty Cap Large Cent (1793-1796) and a thin 22k Colonial Gold Ring.










I actually Live Dug the Chain Cent. If anyone wants to see it come out of the ground, here's the video:

 

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[G.A.P.metal]

Wow Kurt
That`s one early Large Cent and a very historic coin congratulations on the find of a life time !
Gary

 

[sandchip]

I'm freaked for you! Great recovery!

 

[sprailroad]

Treasure Net is the closest I'll ever be to one of those. I really enjoy the post from you "East Coasters", great targets below ground out there, waiting to be rescued.

 

[Iron Patch]

Great find!

1) The professionals who clean or conserve coins I doubt have much, if any, experience in dealing with dug copper and have no more know-how or better methods than you do.

2) I don't see what there is left to clean. You start taking off what's on there and the detail will leave too.

 

[GB1]

man great finds the chain cent is cool so is the gold ring ya'll had a full day

 

[creade]

Terrific find

 

[DFW_THer]

ok i guess

 

[Bigdaddybflo]

Great finds guys !! Happy huntings

 

[Scrappy]

Excellent! Looks like something existed before that 1850’s home and you found the evidence. I would keep that chain cent as-is. The details are in the crust and she’s already beautiful.

 

[Argentium]

This is obviously a banner find ! Congratulations on digging a very rare piece of Americana !

 

[GB1]

banner

 

[CRUSADER]

The piece on the far left you thought was a piece of suspender is part of a Victorian whale bone corset, its 1 of many of the reverse tie holes.

 

[Tpmetal]

Any cleaning I would do would be with alternating soaks and cleaning in distilled water only. And using a stero microscope with the proper tools to prevent damaging patina. Then I heat to no higher than 250f (careful here too much can darken patina) to drive off water and seal with microcrystalline wax while still warm so it soaks in. Not sure how collectors feel about this but it seems the safest way and is often used for ancient coins. Oh yeah Amazing find, my jaw dropped when it popped out during The video the other day!

 

[Carolina Tom]

I watched the video last night, and yeah, you freaked out alright. I thought I saw a tear of joy on your cheek.

Big congrats on scoring one of 36,103. Wow wee.

Thanks for the videos. I know they must take a lot of your time. We really do enjoy them.

Best of luck to you sir!

 

[Carolina Tom]

ok i guess

You are slipping sir, better pick up the pace. How could let KF find this? it seems like a Brad Show find to me.

GL brother.

 

[TRanegar36]

Unreal find Kurt. Enjoy your videos every Wednesday!

Voting banner now

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Awesome old copper find, congratulations!

 

[grasshopper]

Great find Kurt, Love the videos I think I've watched them all a few times. Just saw an older one where one of you guys got your first Largie and you didn't rub a rosie

 

[WaterScoop]

Awesome find thanx for sharing!