Bag of coins from 1700s plus Loyalist button

[Z.K.]

Hi there. This is my first time posting…finally had something really worth sharing. I had a pretty incredible experience last weekend.

About a mile into the woods of Vermont on what I believe is an old wagon road I discovered all of these finds within about a 1000 square foot area, in less than three hours. It was the experience I had always dreamed of. I found a Royal Provincial loyalist button about 10 minutes before discovering a spill of coins about 30 feet away. The "spill" actually included 4 coins still in the leather pouch that originally contained them all...12 in total, 3 stuck in clumps. I have to say, I’ve never before experienced a thrill quite like I did when I realized it wasn’t just one coin, but a pouchfull! My hope was that they were large cents or colonial coppers.

It turns out that of the 12 coins, 7 were identifiable and all are British halfpennies. Three dates are legible: 1723 (George I), 1729, and 1730 (George IIs). Edit: one of the remaining coins was identified in Sept as a 1694 William & Mary halfpenny.

Before this, I had detected quite a bit as a new hobbyist two summers ago and found 2 mercs and a WWII Victory Medal; the latter was special as my maternal grandfather was a WWII Pacific theater combat vet and I myself work for the VA. Afterward I grew frustrated with endless pulltabs and trash, especially since I have so little free time, and nearly gave up the hobby. But watching inspiring videos and having a thirst for treasure and history drew me back, with a new detector (AT Pro) and new approach (research!). This is just my third time out this season!

Prior to this, the most I had ever hoped for was a silver from the late 1800s. But this experience just blew me away, and taught me things that a 19th century silver couldn't. This find has made me far more curious about the history of my area and New England, and given me a totally new perspective on how deep and enriching this hobby can be.

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy the pictures, and I look forward to connecting with members of this community.

 

[villagenut]

Congrats for sure...but you know you just set your bar for your next outing

 

[Iron Patch]

Now that's a great relic and coin combination!

 

[basque-man]

AWESOME!!!!!!!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Very nice find but doesn't qualify for banner. Found before joining TNet

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

very incredible find!
I'd say that you are becoming a SUPER treasure hunter!
Great score!

 

[Isaac]

Incredible cache!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

The large copper spill is awesome, but to have a button like that in with it is just insane!!!

 

[FatFingerProductions]

Inspiring to all of us newbies!

 

[Z.K.]

Just an update:

1. Found out from TNET members in September that one of the coins I thought was blank but was later able to identify more detail in turned out to be a 1694 William and Mary halfpenny! Final tally was 1 W&M, 1 KGI, 6 KGIIs, 4 blanks : )

2. What I thought was "an old stagecoach road" at the time is actually a British military route apparently established during the French and Indian War (map found offline this month, dated 1758!). From my other finds (RP Button especially), it appears it was used well into the Revolutionary War.

3. I feel very grateful to have had this find. I'm a little chagrined at this point that I was just an infrequent TNET visitor/non-member before I found it, and joined and posted it a few days later. Banner would have been cool, but I accept the rules and it doesn't take away from the fact that this find changed my life for the better.

Hopefully more to come as I head back up there over the next few weeks...

Cheers,

Ken

 

[Tom_in_CA]

You are officially a stud-muffin. Congradulations !

 

[BigWaveDave]

great finds...and the research after the fact to tie it all together is awesome..... good job by you!

 

[Z.K.]

You are officially a stud-muffin. Congradulations !

I am a bumbling, lucky amateur compared to you sir...anyone that can find that many US gold coins in separate locations is in another league entirely.

 

[Garrett424]

That bag of coins is an incredible find.
To think that the bag has been laying there for centuries and then you showed up to find them is amazing. That could definitely be a once in a lifetime find for you.

Big congrats on an incredible find and an awesome hunt.

 

[Honest Samuel]

Great job. Check the value of the coins before you spent them.