1865 Two Cent Piece and a Trigger Guard mystery

[Steve in PA]

Got out for a few hours this weekend in a cow pasture I have been working recently. The cows are doing a good job of keeping the grass low. Didn't make any significant finds, but did manage a decent 2 cent piece, a 1925 Merc and some plain flat buttons (not pictured). I also found a piece of what looks like trigger guard with markings on it that have me baffled.


Here is the Merc peaking out of the dirt


I also found this piece of gun furniture that I believe is the finial of a trigger guard. It is the one on the right in this picture. The one on the left is a similar piece I found years ago on a French & Indian War site. You can see it has the British broad arrow scribed on it indicating it is property of the crown. The latest one may also have a broad arrow and possibly Roman numerals. Any input on these markings would be appreciated.


This page from The Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution shows close ups of trigger guards. I believe mine is most similar to the one to the left of where mine sits on this page.

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on the merc, 2 center and other finds

 

[BeenThere DugThat]

That 2 cent coin is awesome, I haven't found one yet. A sweet find for sure.

 

[Clevelander]

No clue about the mystery find but love the 2 cent piece. Would love to find one of those. Nice find!

 

[Steve in PA]

That 2 cent coin is awesome, I haven't found one yet. A sweet find for sure.

I have found 8 that I can remember. I once found two in a row, back to back signals.

 

[dirtlooter]

pretty cool, could be part of a trigger guard. congrats on the coins, a two center is on my bucket list

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

That 2 center looks to be in nice shape! Looks like your site is still productive. I spent my hunts this weekend doing more hiking than swinging. Many of my researched sites are too overgrown. Taking advantage of the moist soil and relatively cool weather, super! Congrats!!

 

[Scrappy]

Killer guard frag Steve - nice job with the ID

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice old coins, congratulations!

 

[DigIron2]

.Nice finds Steve. Looks like the 2 cent is in decent shape too for coming out a cow pasture. Must be the zinc in it? Most coppers I find around cows are 9 times out of ten roasted and toasted. I think it is something in the cows urine , seems harsher then fertilizer even.

 

[Steve in PA]

.Nice finds Steve. Looks like the 2 cent is in decent shape too for coming out a cow pasture. Must be the zinc in it? Most coppers I find around cows are 9 times out of ten roasted and toasted. I think it is something in the cows urine , seems harsher then fertilizer even.

I got lucky with this 2 center. I've dug about Large Cents and a couple Half Cents from this site and all were pretty toasted.

 

[JeffInMass]

Great finds Steve- Congrats!

-- Jeff --

 

[btjbtj]

Awesome stuff, Steve, and decent detail on all. Congrats. -Lisa & John

 

[SC Keith]

Steve I have found an early gun piece with roman numerals "XIII" on the piece. I think it was from a Brown Bess, but not sure. I cant remember doing research on what the numbers meant though.
Nice 2 center!
Keith