Silver Tree Chaser
Bronze Member
This was a most unexpected find that I crossed paths with after a near full day of detecting for early Colonial-Period finds. I had recovered quite a few musket balls and one ornate pewter button dating from the 1600s but nothing else. Still, the recovery of such an early button was enough of a win for me. As I was nearing the end of the day, I hit on a huge signal. I sought to recover the signal with a little less effort, as I had dug out large root-infested plugs earlier in the date only to recover a few shallow beer cans (whole & fragmented). So, like a surgeon trying to remove a bullet from a shooting victim, I probed down to the target with my pinpointer and hit on the signal a bit deeper than I had anticipated. I peered down into the hole and spotted a curious object black in color with a sheen that appeared to be plastic. Perhaps it was a glass bottle with a cap or foil label? Surprisingly, I reached in with my hand and fished out an old wallet! 
It appeared to be leather with laminate pouches. I figured it for being 20-30 years old and was more amused than anything else with such an odd find.
I checked the contents expecting to find an old license, credit card, or other form of identification. I was disappointed that the wallet appeared empty
until its seams came apart in my hands followed by a distinct double-cling sound. Something fell from inside the wallet. I looked down, and this is what I saw.
This is exactly what I saw - not one, but two silver dollars!
I immediately grabbed my camera and took this picture. This image is exactly as the coins had fallen after a near hundred year dirt nap, and it was quite a sight! In 35 years of detecting, I had recovered several half dollars (Barbers & Walkers), but had no expectations of ever finding a silver dollar and certainly not two silver dollars. But you never know what might turn up every time you’re out there swinging, and you can’t beat luck - two absolute maxims of detecting.
View of obverse side of both coins and a close-up of the Morgan coin
Here’s photos of the coins before and after a quick electrolysis cook. The end result was excellent.
1878-S Morgan Silver Dollar and a 1924 Peace Silver Dollar
Here’s a photo of the wallet after it was thoroughly dissected for a gold half eagle that never materialized, but it’s all good; no need to get greedy. I cleaned up the wallet and plan on keeping it. Why not?
I stacked the wallet back together and noticed that the outline of the silver dollars still protrudes from the leather (bottom left corner of wallet in the middle phote). Surprisingly, gold trim still bears the name of the wallet maker. The wallet also had a metal clasp button, which helps date it to the 1920s. So, there was no license, but should one be expected? We’re many folks driving back then and if so, did they carry a driver’s license? Still no pictures, paperwork, or even remnants of such items were found. That seems a bit odd.
Here’s a view of the 1600s button. These early pewter buttons require quick and effective treatment to avoid deterioration.
Here’s a few final remarks to close-out the post. First, the best part of this experience was the distinct double cling of the coins as they fell to the ground; for a nanosecond, it was much like the distinct sound of slot machines paying out at a casino. Also, this is a great find for a great song, Midnight Rider by the Allman Brothers. I’ve been humming the song since I dug up the silver dollars yesterday.
"Well, I've got to run to keep from hiding
And I'm bound to keep on riding
And I've got one more silver dollar
But I'm not gonna let 'em catch me, no
Not gonna let 'em catch the midnight rider."
I'm Silver Tree Chaser, and I've caught the Midnight Rider!
Finally, the 1878-S Morgan Dollar find is particularly meaningful for me. Another 1878-S Morgan Dollar was given to me by my grandfather about 40 years ago. It was the best coin in a handful of late 19th & early 20th century coins he gave to me, which fostered my lifelong interest in coin collecting and other related subjects – metal detecting, colonial history, archaeology, etc. I think he’d be amazed at the what became of his giving away a handful of old coins – a wonderful appreciation of a great hobby.
Good Hunting!
Silver Tree Chaser
It appeared to be leather with laminate pouches. I figured it for being 20-30 years old and was more amused than anything else with such an odd find. I checked the contents expecting to find an old license, credit card, or other form of identification. I was disappointed that the wallet appeared empty
until its seams came apart in my hands followed by a distinct double-cling sound. Something fell from inside the wallet. I looked down, and this is what I saw.
This is exactly what I saw - not one, but two silver dollars!
I immediately grabbed my camera and took this picture. This image is exactly as the coins had fallen after a near hundred year dirt nap, and it was quite a sight! In 35 years of detecting, I had recovered several half dollars (Barbers & Walkers), but had no expectations of ever finding a silver dollar and certainly not two silver dollars. But you never know what might turn up every time you’re out there swinging, and you can’t beat luck - two absolute maxims of detecting.
View of obverse side of both coins and a close-up of the Morgan coin
Here’s photos of the coins before and after a quick electrolysis cook. The end result was excellent.
1878-S Morgan Silver Dollar and a 1924 Peace Silver Dollar
Here’s a photo of the wallet after it was thoroughly dissected for a gold half eagle that never materialized, but it’s all good; no need to get greedy. I cleaned up the wallet and plan on keeping it. Why not?
I stacked the wallet back together and noticed that the outline of the silver dollars still protrudes from the leather (bottom left corner of wallet in the middle phote). Surprisingly, gold trim still bears the name of the wallet maker. The wallet also had a metal clasp button, which helps date it to the 1920s. So, there was no license, but should one be expected? We’re many folks driving back then and if so, did they carry a driver’s license? Still no pictures, paperwork, or even remnants of such items were found. That seems a bit odd.
Here’s a view of the 1600s button. These early pewter buttons require quick and effective treatment to avoid deterioration.
Here’s a few final remarks to close-out the post. First, the best part of this experience was the distinct double cling of the coins as they fell to the ground; for a nanosecond, it was much like the distinct sound of slot machines paying out at a casino. Also, this is a great find for a great song, Midnight Rider by the Allman Brothers. I’ve been humming the song since I dug up the silver dollars yesterday.
"Well, I've got to run to keep from hiding
And I'm bound to keep on riding
And I've got one more silver dollar
But I'm not gonna let 'em catch me, no
Not gonna let 'em catch the midnight rider."
I'm Silver Tree Chaser, and I've caught the Midnight Rider!
Finally, the 1878-S Morgan Dollar find is particularly meaningful for me. Another 1878-S Morgan Dollar was given to me by my grandfather about 40 years ago. It was the best coin in a handful of late 19th & early 20th century coins he gave to me, which fostered my lifelong interest in coin collecting and other related subjects – metal detecting, colonial history, archaeology, etc. I think he’d be amazed at the what became of his giving away a handful of old coins – a wonderful appreciation of a great hobby.
Good Hunting!
Silver Tree Chaser
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