A 7 cent pocket spill circa 1885

[skierbob]

Yesterday afternoon I spent some time hunting along an old trail through the woods. The trail dates to at least the post-civil war era. It is used today mostly by bicyclists and some hikers. I had found some good stuff on and around this trail back in the winter, even though I'm not the only detectorist who hunts there. Yesterday, I walked about 300 yards up the trail and had found only one nickel. Then along the side of the trail, I got a strange, deep signal which I thought was either a screw cap or possibly an Indian Head cent. It seemed to be pinpointing in a couple different spots. I dug down about 5 inches and lifted the dirt out of the hole. There was a target in the dirt, which turned out to be an Indian Head. There were still more targets in the hole. As I lifted each one out of the hole, I discovered three more Indians and a smaller piece, which I thought might be a civil war token. But after closer examination I could just barely make out a liberty head on one side and a Roman numeral III on the other. I knew I had a 3 cent nickel, only the second one I had ever found.

There were two 1883 cents, an 1885 cent and, a semi-key 1872 cent. The 3 cent piece turned out to be an 1865 piece. It must have been laying up against one of the Indian Heads as one side of the coin was somewhat protected from the elements, while the other side shows alot of environmental damage. There was some chemical reaction between the two coins which caused some green corrosion over Liberty's head. This was removed by soaking the coin in lemon juice.

Here's a shot of the whole 7 cents together:



The three cent nickel:



The 1872 cent:



The 1885 cent:



And the 1883's:




Thanks for looking.

 

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[allen]

i found a pocket spill yesterday also,
but they where all 2010 pennies
That trail really paid off nicely for you !!

 

[De.Digger]

Nice finds Bob! You never know what those strange signals are unless you dig them

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Outstanding coin spill probably what happened to the 3 center nice coins

 

[GioTheGreek]

Wicked pennies man...

Continue on that road, no doubt about it there are more goodies.

How long is this trail roughly? Was it well known and well traveled? I'm just curious

I've been looking for old trails in my area too... but I'm a chicken poop around here in the woods by myself. Need a hunting buddy or a gun. lol

 

[DigginThePast]

Sweet pocket spill. Congrats!

 

[Tennessee Treasure Hunter]

Awesome finds Congratulations

 

[teleman 2525]

wow what agreat find

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Good spill. Your soil is kind.

 

[Roger Mn.]

The 1872 Indian Head Cent is a key date. Is it in nice shape?
Could you show a bigger and better picture of that coin?
roger

 

[Mr Tuff]

that is a killer 3 cent nickle!!!!!!!!!! MR TUFF

 

[up north]

Those 3 cent nickels turn up in our hobby VERY seldom. Nice work.

 

[mainer]

Nice spill. Ive only found one three cent nickel, they are few and far between.

 

[history hunter]

That is outstanding!!

 

[nhagan]

amazing find! I just got back from a 4 hour hunt at a local park. found 3.18 in clad a ring and two necklaces.. I would love to come across a coin spill like that. best spill I had today was a hole with two quarters about 2 inches apart in the same hole.

very very nice finds for you bud! keep up the great searchin and good luck!

Neil

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Great finds Looks like you hit a pretty good spot.

 

[civilman1]

Best looking pocket spill I've seen in a long time

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

Awesome spill !!

Keep @ it and HH !!

 

[cntrydncr1]

Bob that is a sweet pocketspill! I've never seen one of those 3 cent nickels. congrats

 

[skierbob]

rodgerdodger,

Here's a bigger and better picture of the 1872 cent. This is about the best I can do. My camera is not the greatest at taking close-ups of coins.





GioThe Greek,

This section of the trail is about a half mile long. It continues on the other side of a road and keeps on going for another quarter mile or so. Also, there are several trails branching off of this one, one of them turns around and comes back parallel to the first trail for another half mile. If you cross over the road, you can continue for another quarter mile and then back for another 3/4 mile. The bikers get a good workout on the trail as it winds around and goes up and down hills. I get a pretty good workout on the trail myself.

I can't really say how well known or well traveled the trail was in the old days. I know that there have been many campers, hunters, picnickers and hikers who used it in the past. It is well known to the bicyclists and to a few detectorists today.

Bob