Another Hour, Another Keeper. Religious Relic

[goldnow]

My alotted time to surf my land is less than an hour this past week per day, and it's land I already hunted silly, but when the grass, blackberry thorn bushes, etc. were higher, bigger, and meaner. On each of these short repetitive hunts this week, I came home with a keeper or three (yesterday a very beautiful ring). Today's hunt produced this baby..A 1700-1800 St. Francis Medallion, with Jesus and Mary on the back in great condition. At the bottom of St. Francis you can still see a remnant of the original gold plating/guilding.

I never paid this category much attention before, but after around 15 finds, dating from 1600 to early 20th century, I'm starting to get the feel for them, especially for these old historical ones, of which I now have three. The workmanship is as good if not better than the coins of the same periods.

 

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[tommyd]

that may be one of the coolest finds ever / ever.
" very sacred "
thanks for sharing ~ tom

 

[kuger]

That type of side ways hasp is early like possibly 1700'-early 1800's nice!!!

 

[goldnow]

My alotted time to surf my land is less than an hour this past week per day, and it's land I already hunted silly, but when the grass, blackberry thorn bushes, etc. were higher, bigger, and meaner. On each of these short repetitive hunts this week, I came home with a keeper or three (yesterday a very beautiful ring). Today's hunt produced this baby..A 1700-1800 St. Francis Medallion, with Jesus and Mary on the back in great condition. At the bottom of St. Francis you can still see a remnant of the original gold plating/guilding.

I never paid this category much attention before, but after around 15 finds, dating from 1600 to early 20th century, I'm starting to get the feel for them, especially for these old historical ones, of which I now have three. The workmanship is as good if not better than the coins of the same periods.

This is the breakthrough moment.

I also found in the next hole, a rare Italian coin, that I was looking, hoping to find, as its only 1927, but as luck would have it, it was the first coin I ever found from this time period that was decayed/damaged. It is worth $150 if in VG condition, but wasn't disappointed with the loss, when I cleaned this medallion.

 

[goldnow]

That type of side ways hasp is early like possibly 1700'-early 1800's nice!!!

If not mistaken, I believe it was you who told me about the sideways loop when I posted the other one I found a few months back. So, thanks for the heads up. I also found another one (loop gone) from also the 16-1700 period with I believe Jesus on the front as an adult, and as a baby on the back, which I posted a few days or a week back. I'm always just as pleased to pull one out from its long sleep, as I am for a coin, an interesting relic, or a nice button.

 

[EpsilonMinus]

Very cool find, man! How did you go about cleaning it? The difference from the first and second pic is pretty drastic, looks good!

 

[kuger]

That type of side ways hasp is early like possibly 1700'-early 1800's nice!!!

If not mistaken, I believe it was you who told me about the sideways loop when I posted the other one I found a few months back. So, thanks for the heads up. I also found another one (loop gone) from also the 16-1700 period with I believe Jesus on the front as an adult, and as a baby on the back, which I posted a few days or a week back. I'm always just as pleased to pull one out from its long sleep, as I am for a coin, an interesting relic, or a nice button.
[/quote
Man,I am sorry I didnt read the text of your thread!I see you already said that!I have tendency to just look at the pics!Very nice piece!

 

[Dman]

Way to go. Nice find.
Dman
Dman
Dman

 

[seger98]

very nice finds.

 

[SkyPirate]

 

[goldnow]

Very cool find, man! How did you go about cleaning it? The difference from the first and second pic is pretty drastic, looks good!

I think I was lucky on this one.. I soaked it in olive oil for around an hour, and pretty much most of the crud melted away with a thumbnail rub. Then a few minutes with a wood toothpick did the rest. The green patina has slowly become a very nice dark brown patina since I took the picture. I couldn't believe the detail and readable lettering after I gave it the first eye-loupe.

This hobby has so many levels of enjoyment!