An old copper, and the boot!

[GioTheGreek]

I drove by an old church today.... on a country road.

It's no longer a church, but a gift shop. I pulled over to check it out, and there was a parking area, which was essentially, all grass.



I checked but the shop was closed, and it was 8 am. I had every intention on asking for permission, eventually. I thought it would be fine to take a few swings in the grassy area where people park.

No harm can be done there right?

Well, I quickly started getting all sorts of signals.

I found 3 bullet casings, a quarter from 1984 (I thought it read '64 for a second, darn)...

And then I cam across a nice big old copper..





Just as I was finished putting the plug back in, the owner showed up.... and told me to leave.

She didn't want anymore "holes".... she had enough to fill from the cars.

I quickly showed her my lesche, and told her Id show her where I dug.... and that I cut plugs. I even have a pinpointer.... but nope.

She wasnt having it... lol. Typical. Too bad, the place has some potential.

Can anyone identify the copper? I'll show a pic once I clean it up a bit...

It's in rough shape.

 

[Kirk PA]

The parking area is still private property.

Kirk

 

[GioTheGreek]

Yeah true Kirk... I know bro...

I shouldve just waited to ask, but she wouldve said no anyway by the sounds of it hehe.

The coin says Britannia on it and has a dimple by the looks of it...

 

[Iron Patch]

You're going to have some pretty bad days if you keep operating like that. I think a lot of people would have just called the cops and had you charged with trespassing.

 

[Marc in VA]

It is acts like this that give us all a bad name and cause good sites to be shut down. What you did is called trespassing. Have you ever read the metal detectorist code of ethics? I think you should. Most diggers hunt by the rules and laws but there are a few out there that dont and they are the ones who ruin it for the rest of us. Think about it...What would you do if you came home one day and saw someone you didnt know walking around your yard and digging holes. I dont think you would ignore the person and let them keep doing their thing. Heck you are lucky the woman didnt call the cops or better yet shoot your butt. Come on man....Do It Right!!!!

 

[Iron Patch]

If you give the copper a peroxide soak I'm sure it will be easy to ID. There's not much point in leaving it as is.

 

[GioTheGreek]

Oh here we go...

 

[GioTheGreek]

Lesson learned...

Maybe Marc... you should write a book or something, perhaps a small brochure...

 

[Iron Patch]

Lesson learned...

Maybe Marc... you should write a book or something, perhaps a small brochure...

What do you expect people to say? You're digging holes on the lawn of their business! That doesn't register as being wrong? ....and now you're going to run your mouth at the people setting you straight. (and you obviously need it)

 

[GioTheGreek]

It wasnt that bad...

She was friendly in the end and I apologized....

It was a "gift shop" with a field next to it that was half destroyed anyway... I wasnt on anyones home.

Regardless, in hindsight, I know not to do it again.

IronPatch, no need to jump down my f*n throat brother... we all make mistakes.

 

[Iron Patch]

It wasnt that bad...

She was friendly in the end and I apologized....

It was a "gift shop" with a field next to it that was half destroyed anyway... I wasnt on anyones home.

Regardless, in hindsight, I know not to do it again.

IronPatch, no need to jump down my f*n throat brother... we all make mistakes.

Well some people are hard in the head. Glad you get it.

Yes, I'm sure many aren't saints on here including myself, but again, what do you expect for people to say with a post like that.

 

[GioTheGreek]

Lol it was stupid of me wasnt it...

Ah well, thats what I get for being lazy and detecting beaches and soccer fields for so long... you forget the basics.

 

[Iron Patch]

Lol it was stupid of me wasnt it...

Ah well, thats what I get for being lazy and detecting beaches and soccer fields for so long... you forget the basics.

As I said I'm no saint. But you learn it's better to put in the time, do the research, and go about it the right way. A post like this might not be all bad because it might make a few people think. Plus.... man you are in a killer area! You'd be posting much better than that if you tracked down some early sites... and the good ones have no buildings left... but you still gotta ask!

Now clean that copper and see how much $$$ you owe the lady.

 

[GioTheGreek]

Lol it was stupid of me wasnt it...

Ah well, thats what I get for being lazy and detecting beaches and soccer fields for so long... you forget the basics.

As I said I'm no saint. But you learn it's better to put in the time, do the research, and go about it the right way. A post like this might not be all bad because it might make a few people think. Plus.... man you are in a killer area! You'd be posting much better than that if you tracked down some early sites... and the good ones have no buildings left... but you still gotta ask!

Now clean that copper and see how much $$$ you owe the lady.

As you can tell Im a newb.

My patina is gone... not sure I couldve saved it. 'Britannia' something it says on the coin.... can't make much else.

And yeah, this post taught me a lesson, perhaps it may teach another donkey a lesson too.

tc

 

[DMN]

Won't beat the dead horse......

About the coin cleaning, there is a spot in this site about it. There are a large # of very smart people here who have taken the time to tell of good ways to clean a coin which is not legible. Check it out and see if one of the methods might be appropriate for your find. Good luck!

 

[GioTheGreek]

Double thanks DMN...

I've had it in peroxide enough that I can make it out now...

I used the peroxide and baking soda and toothbrush technique.

It's a common 1861 Nova Scotia Half Cent.

 

[Iron Patch]

Lol it was stupid of me wasnt it...

Ah well, thats what I get for being lazy and detecting beaches and soccer fields for so long... you forget the basics.

As I said I'm no saint. But you learn it's better to put in the time, do the research, and go about it the right way. A post like this might not be all bad because it might make a few people think. Plus.... man you are in a killer area! You'd be posting much better than that if you tracked down some early sites... and the good ones have no buildings left... but you still gotta ask!

Now clean that copper and see how much $$$ you owe the lady.

As you can tell Im a newb.

My patina is gone... not sure I couldve saved it. 'Britannia' something it says on the coin.... can't make much else.

And yeah, this post taught me a lesson, perhaps it may teach another donkey a lesson too.

tc

So is what you posted the before pic or after the cleaning? Sounds like maybe you used something very harsh and killed it? If not, and it's still like it is in the pics, you can probably clean it better. Not a lot of detail is needed to ID a copper. Even closer clear pics of the way it is now might do it.


PS... just read your last reply... beat me to it.

 

[teleman 2525]

you have been yelled at enough i for give you just sort of goof we all have our moments nice coin though lesson learned

 

[MonkeyBoy]

Glad to see people take the rules of engagement seriously! I guess everyone is allowed a mistake..


MB

 

[DMN]

Double thanks DMN...

I've had it in peroxide enough that I can make it out now...

I used the peroxide and baking soda and toothbrush technique.

It's a common 1861 Nova Scotia Half Cent.

Common for you in Canada, but uncomon for us in the States! Post a pic of the final result when you gat a chance. We all like to see the befores and afters. Thanks!