~~ 1857 FLYING EAGLE PENNY ~~

[Goes4ever]

Today I had no where new to go so I went back to the farm where I dug my 100th indian last fall....almost winter. This yard gave up a ton of wheats, several silver and a lot of indians, and a couple V nickels.

Today I did NOT expect much but I was going to dig all iffy signals I skipped before because of time, I was digging deep shot gun shells, scraps and bits of copper, brass etc...nothing good. I get this 6-7" deep signal that was bouncy but fairly solid from two ways. On the etrac it was 17-21....15-23..around that area. What the heck I am digging everything. I saw a coin in the hole and thought hmm, must be an old nickel of some sort....NOPE...it was an 1857 Flying eagle....wooHOOOOO. This is only the second flying eagle I have ever dug in 3 yrs. And this one is way nicer than the first!

I was on cloud nine, but continued to hunt, I got a real deep signal I was hoping was a nickel but the FE number was REAL low, it was 01-12, 01-14. But it turned out to be a deep V nickel...1906. Sweet...

I also got a 6 wheat penny spill, did not take pics of it yet, but it had five copper wheats and one steel one that was a solid rusted disk.

Last decent item was the knife, it has some cool details.....marked sterling plated.

 

[jeff741972]

Very Nice FE , they come out around here toasted. Ive only found one, and it was bad.

 

[mnixon]

very nice coins .... love the knife also

 

[texjim]

awesome job.. the flying eagle is on my list.....

 

[bootyhoundpa]

nice flying penny.. i should hope to find one some day...

 

[neuseman]

Nice coins!

 

[Deadwood Dick]

An old cake knife. Woo Hoo.
Nice finds.

 

[MaineRelic]

I have only found one in three years as well . I hope my next one is as nice as that one . Nice coin MaineRelic

 

[artzstuff1]

Thats about the best dug flyer I have seen,,, nice ,,
I would bet that butter knife has spread a lot of butter!!!!

 

[Mr Tuff]

very kind soil = very sweet coins!!!! way to go!!! MR TUFF

 

[cntrydncr1]

wow those coins are in nice shape! congrats

 

[ewcoinhunter]

Great find G4E! Congrats.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Sweet finds!!! Congrats

 

[spitfire55]

 

[Nutriasub]

I love those flying eagles, I dont see many trough the forum

Congratulations

Nutria

 

[ihavetone]

Nice FE my ohio friend

 

[Hill Billy]

One day we are going to see a 1856 up here, nice FE in great shape.

HB

 

[steelheadwill]

Those FEs are a rare dig!
Yours is a beauty
It's all about the soil, I pulled one from clay that was in super shape.
I think the density of clay excludes oxygen (THE most reactive element) and that's the key to it's preservative qualities.
3 years of issue & the 56 was only a strike of 2000
as examples for congressional approval, a few proof strikes for collectors.
this is the lowest mintage I recall for a US coin.
this was a radical change from 60 years of the large copper cent.
Great Find

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Those FEs are a rare dig!
Yours is a beauty
It's all about the soil, I pulled one from clay that was in super shape.
I think the density of clay excludes oxygen (THE most reactive element) and that's the key to it's preservative qualities.
3 years of issue & the 56 was only a strike of 2000
as examples for congressional approval, a few proof strikes for collectors.
this is the lowest mintage I recall for a US coin.
this was a radical change from 60 years of the large copper cent.
Great Find

I am not so sure that soil density helps to preserve coins. In fact, I would say the opposite is true. The copper coins we find in the sandy, piney areas of South Jersey look like they were dropped yesterday. Just look at any of Don's posts. The sandy soil is well drained and keeps moisture from sitting on the coin for extended periods of time, and it is the moisture along with the soil that does most of the damage!

Both of your nickels are in great shape! (The Flying Eagles were referred to as nickels or "white cents" at the time. There were no nickel 5 cent coins until years later)

 

[jamesbibb]

Those FEs are a rare dig!
Yours is a beauty
It's all about the soil, I pulled one from clay that was in super shape.
I think the density of clay excludes oxygen (THE most reactive element) and that's the key to it's preservative qualities.
3 years of issue & the 56 was only a strike of 2000
as examples for congressional approval, a few proof strikes for collectors.
this is the lowest mintage I recall for a US coin.
this was a radical change from 60 years of the large copper cent.
Great Find

Im going with Neil on this one. I did in predominately Bright red clay with high iron and acidity levels- It is hard on coppers and brass items- Making it hard to find good preserved relics-I have a 57 FE Cent as well but its ate up this one is a beaut!

I am not so sure that soil density helps to preserve coins. In fact, I would say the opposite is true. The copper coins we find in the sandy, piney areas of South Jersey look like they were dropped yesterday. Just look at any of Don's posts. The sandy soil is well drained and keeps moisture from sitting on the coin for extended periods of time, and it is the moisture along with the soil that does most of the damage!

Both of your nickels are in great shape! (The Flying Eagles were referred to as nickels or "white cents" at the time. There were no nickel 5 cent coins until years later)