1817 Large Cent: A mid-tone turned high

lenmac65 · Apr 22, 2026

I detected a former homesite in the woods this week. Shortly into my latest search, I hit a target with a VDI bouncing around 18 or 19 on the Equinox with a mainly mid-tone sound. I was thinking perhaps an Indian Head cent, but when I dug the hole and scanned the pile, it was now throwing off a strong high tone with a VDI of mostly 29. Encouraged by the change in tone, I quickly sifted through the dirt and was excited to uncover a large cent. It is a common date of 1817 and is in somewhat rough shape, but I am thrilled to have it. Happy hunting and good luck out there!

jose159 · Apr 22, 2026

Great find! I only ever found one and I was excited like you!

Almy · Apr 22, 2026

It's a beauty, and nice pictures too!

Trezurehunter · Apr 22, 2026

Great looking old Large Cent.

oldmxrat · Apr 22, 2026

Very nice, that would make my day, congrats!

The Rebel · Apr 23, 2026

That's in great shape!

pepperj · Apr 23, 2026

Congrats on the old copper

Gare · Apr 23, 2026

Great FIND !!! I love Largies

Silvermonkey · Apr 23, 2026

lenmac65 said:
I detected a former homesite in the woods this week. Shortly into my latest search, I hit a target with a VDI bouncing around 18 or 19 on the Equinox with a mainly mid-tone sound. I was thinking perhaps an Indian Head cent, but when I dug the hole and scanned the pile, it was now throwing off a strong high tone with a VDI of mostly 29. Encouraged by the change in tone, I quickly sifted through the dirt and was excited to uncover a large cent. It is a common date of 1817 and is in somewhat rough shape, but I am thrilled to have it. Happy hunting and good luck out there!

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Great job sniffing that one out lenmac65! I'm guessing that it must have been sitting on edge in the ground, resulting in the lower VDI. For a 200 yo + coin, she's in very good shape. Big congrats!

lenmac65 · Apr 23, 2026

Silvermonkey said:
Great job sniffing that one out lenmac65! I'm guessing that it must have been sitting on edge in the ground, resulting in the lower VDI. For a 200 yo + coin, she's in very good shape. Big congrats!

Thanks! I think you are right about the cause for the low VDI (and tone). Despite all the nails and debris at this spot, I don’t think there was anything next to the coin to alter the readings, so its positioning seems a likely factor.