1824 US Bust Half, 1816 2 Reale and 1776 1 Reale Pocket Spill

OutdoorAdv

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Apr 16, 2013
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Metal Detecting
Still shaking with this one. I got 6 firsts today... (*Update at bottom of post with recent pictures*)

My research finally paid off with some mid 1800's maps and I knew I was on a spot from the colonial period until mid 1800's. I was digging a lot of big iron with most of my holes having oyster shells and clay brick fragments so very good signs. I had dug a couple complete axe heads and was pretty excited... after electrolysis those will display very nice. (more pictures of those a few posts down)

Then I dug this spill... here they are!
IMG_20150411_145351376.jpg
IMG_20150411_145408453.jpg

The site is loaded with iron so the "perfect signal" doesn't exist here. So I get one jumping from iron with some repeatable mid tones, and jumping into high 80's. I figured it was another piece of deep iron with a halo affect and maybe another harmonica reed.

First one out... I knew it was silver, had letters stamped on the edge, was the size of a half dollar, and saw "Ame.." and 1824, and knew I had just dug an 1824 US Bust Half Dollar.
IMG_20150411_125618760.jpg

I calm down, recheck the hole... theres more! Jumping iron, mid tones and high tones... pick through some square nails and...
Second one out... 1816 2 Reales. Saw the size, how thin, and pillars and knew right away.
IMG_20150411_130355417.jpgIMG_20150411_130416009.jpg

I'm floating on air by now. Two early silvers. I recheck the hole... theres more! Still jumping iron, mid tones and high tones.
I pull out some more nails, figure screw it... widen the hole and make a pile of dirt.
Two signals in the pile, a high tone and a mid tone.
Third one out... 1776 1 Reales.
IMG_20150411_130845457.jpg

Unbelievable! The brass forked thing was the mid tone, obviously three silvers were the high tone... the pouch had 3 or 4 more nails which were the low tones.

Mix all that iron, brass and silver together, put it in a hole... and you get the best imperfect signal I've ever dug!
IMG_20150411_131510808.jpg

Final view of the hole the spill came from.
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I was only there an hour and after pulling those silvers, I couldn't concentrate... heading back tomorrow.
I'm really excited about the big iron too. Putting them into electrolysis now. I have a few brass items I dug today that I still need to clean up.
IMG_20150411_134105347_HDR.jpg

Any my 6 new firsts are:
1st Bust Silver
1st Half Dollar
1st Spanish Silver
1st 2 Reales
1st 1 Reales
1st 1700's silver

Also, I've never dug seated. Dug barber and later. Dug a lot of large cents too... so the early silver had eluded me until today.

A better picture of the half with the light just right.
Half Obverse.pngHalf Reverse.png

(UPDATE) - Before and after pictures with scale removed
Coin Spill Preserved.png
 

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Upvote 40
Ahab, No worries... Before you posted that, I actually just typed up a long PM to you asking for more info on the Lemon Juice technique.... hit send... and your box is full. haha I've used BuckleBoys technique with good success before. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/cleaning-preservation/442189-how-clean-blackened-silver-coins.html

The 1776 1 Reale is the darkest. I'm not opposed to trying to make these things present better. When I show someone these three silvers I'll have to be like "turn it, get the light to shine at this angle, squint one eye... there... see that, thats King Carolus." ha

A better picture of the half with the light just right. ha
Half Obverse.pngHalf Reverse.png

Thanks again everyone. And in regards to the jumpy signals... I used to sometimes dig them, but ever since one turned out to be a Civil War Union Breast Plate... I always dig anything I can pinpoint. After all.. im there to dig, so might as well see whats down there.
 

Congratulations on the coin spill, it's been a great day for digging for you. I really think Bill's recommendation on digging a test hole or two is a wise suggestion. Best of luck on the return hunt, and waiting for the new pics of the cleaned up coinage and iron.
 

Ahab, No worries... Before you posted that, I actually just typed up a long PM to you asking for more info on the Lemon Juice technique.... hit send... and your box is full. haha I've used BuckleBoys technique with good success before. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/cleaning-preservation/442189-how-clean-blackened-silver-coins.html

The 1776 1 Reale is the darkest. I'm not opposed to trying to make these things present better. When I show someone these three silvers I'll have to be like "turn it, get the light to shine at this angle, squint one eye... there... see that, thats King Carolus." ha

A better picture of the half with the light just right. ha
View attachment 1145368View attachment 1145369

Thanks again everyone. And in regards to the jumpy signals... I used to sometimes dig them, but ever since one turned out to be a Civil War Union Breast Plate... I always dig anything I can pinpoint. After all.. im there to dig, so might as well see whats down there.

Personally, when I decide to clean up a heavily tarnished silver coin I prefer to use light electrolysis. It does no harm to the coin, and you can proceed with the process as slow as you want. Let me know if you want more details. But from what I've heard (and seen) the lemon juice method works great although I would recommend to initially use a diluted solution.
 

Some great scores there , good chance there are more treasures waiting for you , congrats ..cheers Mick
 

That's what I am talking about, early 1800's pocket spill! Good Job, gets me pumped to do some detecting. I know its not but brass forked item reminds me of one of those grass divot repair tools golfers use.
 

WOW!
SUPER lucky!
Very old coinage - for the USA!!
Do it again! :icon_thumright:
 

Great finds, I'm a hillbilly zapper, those (especially the early half) silvers I would not run current through or put acid on.
NGC does distilled water, then acetone, then xylene baths. I was told this. I'm just saying if I found them, I'd call them for cleaning advice. I'm also not saying anyone else is telling you wrong just I don't really know, I'd be real careful cleaning those babys!

Congrats!

Here is a link to your Half

1824 50C MS Early Halves | NGC
 

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Great finds. The half looks to me that it has a pretty good look to it under the dirt. I'd just get everything loose off of it, and check it out for a few days before I decided to remove the patina. It might grow on you.
 

Fantastic hunt! Love all the silver, good luck with future hunts!
 

I got excited just reading that story! Great pics! That's some old silver there! What a trifecta!!!!
 

Thank you everyone. I still can't believe I dug those coins. I was out hunting this morning... Looked at the pictures and still couldn't believe it.

Thank you everyone for all the cleaning advice. They do look nice under that crud. I will proceed cautiously and go with less is more for now.

I'm heading off for family obligations, but will have a post this evening.....

I can't believe what today's hunt turned up... It was relics today. Will post them this evening.
 

Now that is a great find/finds!
 

I'm sorry to post a bunch of pics on your thread...

I'm not complaining, it just gives me an excuse to look at those beautiful colonial silvers again :)
 

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