2nd trip to new site produces BOATLOAD of early colonial artifacts and coins!!!

Bill D. (VA)

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After having some difficulty securing permission to hunt this site 2 weeks ago, I again went to visit the owner who had promised to call me but didn't. The reception was a little cool, and she was not too interested in the finds I brought her, so things were not looking too good at that point. But after finding 2 cut silvers and other early artifacts during the first hunt I was determined to not accept no for an answer. Eventually I was able to twist her arm and have her agree to let me hunt that day (yesterday). Since the weather was warm, and not being sure if this would be my last hunt at the site, I pounded the place hard for 6+ hours. I started out where I left off the previous time, but the finds were rather paltry. Then a slight rise about a 100 yards behind the iron patch caught my attention. As I neared that area I started seeing a few brick frags and hearing an increasing amount of iron. Soon I was pulling out a couple of buttons, and shortly after I got a nice high toned signal that I thought might have a chance to be a copper. But I was floored when I saw a huge silver coin laying on top of the dirt after I flipped it out of the hole. Turned out to be a 1782 two reale in great shape. At that point I slowed down even further and began to dig button after button. As I proceeded to grid the area the buttons seemed to be getting older. First they transitioned to tombacs, then to some pre-1700 buttons. While in that area I investigated a deep iron signal as I always do, and recovered a large portion of an early iron pot with all 3 legs intact. It came from over 2 feet down. Later I decided to hit a sloped area near the initial iron patch I hit on the first hunt, and ran into a large area of what I like to call "machine gun" iron. The ground in that area was also chock-full of oyster shells making it very difficult to get any penetration with the shovel. I made a few more recoveries here including a nice 1694 W&M copper. I also dug this cool looking large brass piece with a cherub face along with other designs. This could be from a 17th century sword guard or possibly a harness mount. I also recovered a nice early navy button with a treble gilt backmark. Just before leaving I ventured across the adjacent dirt lane and discovered the heavy iron and shells extended well into the next field. But it was getting late and I was exhausted, especially since this was my 5th consecutive day of digging. More posts to follow about those adventures. Anyway, there seems to be plenty of other promising spots on this site, but not sure if I'll get the opportunity to return unless I can come up with a new angle to help convince the owner to let me do some more digging there. At least it was fun while it lasted.
 

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Upvote 48
Nice.hope you get to go back, there is more there for sure good luck
 

Why is she so against you digging there in the first place?
 

WOW!!! What a place!!! I'm thinking about visiting and uncle who lives in Virginia, about 40 minutes out of DC. I think you helped me make up my mind!!!
 

Why is she so against you digging there in the first place?

This is a fairly prestigious and very historical site, and she just doesn't want folks to be messing around there. Especially digging holes all over the place. I can certainly understand her feelings since if I owned the place I doubt I'd let any stranger out there either.
 

Some great stuff for sure! The face piece may be an early sword hand guard. This type, although obviously if that's what it is yours is a little different judging by the back. Neat find whatever it turns out to be. 18th century French.


PS: William and Mary Halfpennies were only issued one year. 1694.
 

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Some great stuff for sure! The face piece may be an early sword hand guard. This type, although obviously if that's what it is yours is a little different judging by the back. Neat find whatever it turns out to be. 18th century French. PS: William and Mary Halfpennies were only issued one year. 1694.

That was the first thing that crossed my mind too, but the way it was broken made me think otherwise. Maybe someone will chime in the with the ID.
 

That is a stupefying haul of colonial goodies - I'm pretty much speechless !
 

Nice finds for sure!!!!

and the GPS location for this site is where exactly? as you forgot to post those...... :laughing7:
 

WOW...that is all I can say ..lol

That would be a hunt of a lifetime almost...have yet to get into a big producing spot like that...very very very nice. !!!!

Clean up something that you found really nice and give it to her.....that may help a lot.
 

can I go? :) nice finds fella!
 

Nice finds for sure!!!! and the GPS location for this site is where exactly? as you forgot to post those...... :laughing7:

Here ya go: 18 deg 25 min N and 64 deg 37 min W. That should get ya in the ballpark ..... LOL!
 

Wow. That's awesome. I really enjoy reading your posts, hope you can get back in that site!
 

Wow bill awesome finds! I'm really itching to get out up here in NE, but the snow keeps coming...
-1stCR
 

Nice finds mr.bill, if you find out what that brass piece is id love to know I have one like it just a different picture.
 

This is a fairly prestigious and very historical site, and she just doesn't want folks to be messing around there. Especially digging holes all over the place. I can certainly understand her feelings since if I owned the place I doubt I'd let any stranger out there either.

Exactly Bill there's no real reason (usually no incentive either) for someone to grant permission to diggers, that's why we should be VERY thankful when they do. In this case the owner probably quite well off could care less about most of that stuff you dug.

That said you were lucky enough to get a good go of it.

Looks like you were a busy. Lots of goodies.
I've yet to get a W+M, and I'd be pretty happy with that. Any day with a 2R makes me pretty happy too !
 

Glad she let you back in. The Navy button is awesome. Good luck this weekend.
 

Great finds,now go back with a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates,and get back on there.
 

dang Bill - don't go wearing out all of your luck - the real digging begins tomorrow!
 

Well done Bill! You killed it my friend, you never know how the those types of landowners will play out. I have a few like that. One thing for sure is I do not show up often and I always hunt them alone. Congrats, in a big way! HH!
 

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