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

Bill D. (VA)

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Location
SE Virginia
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Detector(s) used
F75 SE (land); CZ-21 (saltwater)
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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
Bill that Spanish silver is a beauty:icon_thumleft:

When you get permission nowadays you gotta hit the property hard you never know when people will change there mind..

Blaze
 

That site has produced more than anyone could expect these days Bill. The coins & relics are impressive. I understand full well how difficult it can be to persuade landowners to let you hunt their land. Unfortunately, the landowners with the best sites are the hardest to convince. WTG, Q.
 

Bill that Spanish silver is a beauty:icon_thumleft: When you get permission nowadays you gotta hit the property hard you never know when people will change there mind.. Blaze

You're absolutely right JB. One of my cardinal rules of detecting is to only ask permission when you can hunt the property right then and for the entire day. Many times you can get a permission only to come back later and find out the permission has been revoked. This is usually due to other family members getting involved, and all it takes is one to get you kicked off a site. For that reason, I always try to go door knocking in the morning so I can at least get in several hours at a site the first time. After that there's no telling what might happen. Getting kicked off a site before you can even swing a detector is pretty disheartening.
 

Ata boy Bill, you're killing it as usual!
 

Congrats on the very old and awesome finds Bill! I agree that taking the elderly Lady is one way to her' heart. However, I would make it a beautiful pot of flowers that she can plant in her' flower garden or keep in the pot and take care of. Also, I believe it really great Hallmark card showing your thanks to her, is another way to her' heart. Even if the gesture doesn't work, you can at least say you tried and you will only be out $20 or less for the flowers and card.

Good luck!


Frank
 

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That's awesome Bill - what kind of site is this, a village? Just wondering, 35 or so buttons at one site is great - I think I found a whopping 5 all of last year!
 

looks like you hit the mother load!!!!!
 

That's awesome Bill - what kind of site is this, a village? Just wondering, 35 or so buttons at one site is great - I think I found a whopping 5 all of last year!

This is the usual colonial house site with an outbuilding or two. With these sites being continuously occupied for 200 years or more its not uncommon to find in excess of 100 buttons in the iron patch and the fields immediately surrounding it.
 

I only have 3 or so sites. ....I just don't have that luck in the iron patches. ...or its probably more that I don't have the patience in the iron. ...I guess I will give it a shot, go small and slow down and stop cherry picking....Thanks Bill.
 

I only have 3 or so sites. ....I just don't have that luck in the iron patches. ...or its probably more that I don't have the patience in the iron. ...I guess I will give it a shot, go small and slow down and stop cherry picking....Thanks Bill.

When I was starting out years ago I ran away from the iron. Now its the main area I'm attracted to. Usually the most (and best) finds can be made in the iron patch, although many nice, random finds can be made in the surrounding area. You just need to slow down, hunt from different directions, possibly try a smaller coil, and dig many questionable signals that are lurking in the iron. Many of the colonial buttons, buckle pieces, tacks, etc, read very low on the conductivity scale so you need to have patience and dig all those tones. Many of the sites we go to have already been extensively hunted, but many like yourself don't care to hunt in the iron, or just cherry pick the high tones, which leaves a boatload of artifacts for us. Give it a try and I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results. Good luck!
 

Hi Bill; In the 13th picture down you show a green button there. I believe it is a Continental Army Button.!!! I would have that researched ASAP. That is a CHERRY find. One of a kind and if so then I say BANNER. !! Let is know ok. PEACE:RONB :headbang:
 

Hi Bill; In the 13th picture down you show a green button. I believe it is a Continental Army Button.!! I would have it researched ASAP. If so then I vote BANNER. That is a one of a kind type find ok. PEACE:RONB
 

Very nice, Bill! Hope you will be able to hit it again.... and that's an awesome coin! I'm still hoping for a coin that starts with "16" but it will be a tough one to find in my part of the world.
 

Killer site you found there Bill , congrats on your awesome finds ..cheers Mick
 

That is killer, I love that silver, I would love to find a 1700's silver. Congrats!
 

Hi Bill; In the 13th picture down you show a green button. I believe it is a Continental Army Button.!! I would have it researched ASAP. If so then I vote BANNER. That is a one of a kind type find ok. PEACE:RONB

The button you're referring to is an early 1800s navy. Definitely post-1800.
 

awesome! way to go. Thanks for showing us your finds. Now I'm inspired to hack through some of our frozen ground here in Canada to go MDing. Hey anyone know where I can buy a flame thrower? or summer? :) just kidding flame throwers are illegal in Canada probably.
 

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