Coins, relics, and something out of The Godfather

[lenmac65]

I returned to a vacant lot permission where a mid-1890's home once stood. I had hunted this property before when I first started detecting in August last year, and found mostly clad. My first hunt early this week was producing nothing when I got a strong hit. I thought it was a can or bottle cap, but dug it anyways. I was surprised when a horse’s head popped out of the ground, which made me think of the bedroom scene from The Godfather. The head is hollow and appears to have been torn off something, perhaps a weather vane or a hitching post. While happy I had something interesting, I really wanted a coin. On the way back to the car, I re-checked an area I had hit in August and got a clean dime signal: a 1928 Mercury. Shortly after, I dug a small buckle marked Paris — Solide on the back, with BD&R, I think, and the image of either a running dog or lion on the front. Now encouraged, I decided to come back as soon as possible. Mid-week, I hit the area again and got a 1901 Barber dime (only my second) and four Wheats: 1909 (no VDB), 1928, 1941, and 1957. I also dug an Eagle-Anchor button. It has a somewhat pudgy eagle, no markings, and a self-shank, so I am thinking it is civilian versus military, perhaps early 1900s. (I may post that one on the What is It forum.) This Saturday, I hit the same area again and was totally thrilled to find an 1891 Seated Liberty, a well-worn 1917 Mercury, an undated Buffalo nickel, and a 1934 Wheat. Needless to say, I will be going back there again the next chance I get. For newer hunters like myself, I encourage you to re-visit the original spots you went to. I believe I am having greater success now, as I am more experienced and am more comfortable interpreting my detector’s signals. For AT Pro users, get off the Standard mode as soon as possible. I wasted too much time in the Standard Coin mode, as I was drawn to its simplicity. The Pro-mode at Zero setting is so much more interesting and effective. Good luck and Happy Hunting!

 

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[Kray Gelder]

Nice couple of hunts. Four old silver!

 

[Gridwalker306]

Good looking finds, congrats. I found that exact same buckle last year

 

[basque-man]

Looks like your in the groove now! Very nice job!

 

[Digger RJ]

Awesome!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Excellent variety. Nice silver dimes.

 

[mddavis3]

Awesome finds! I have an AT Pro that I started using in April of this year and I'm still learning. This post if very encouraging to me to keep working it. When on zero, I get annoyed with all the iron signals, but after this post I'll give it another go.

 

[Javadroid]

Some nice treasure there - congrats! Looks like that spot was makin' you an offer you cannot refuse...

 

[Steve in PA]

Congrats on the silver dimes. It's safe to say your naval button is from a civilian blazer. The little buckle is a trouser waist tightener buckle and dates 1850s to 70s. Many have 1850s and 60s patent dates. They frequently turn up in Civil War and Indian Wars camp sites like this one I found in an 1850s military camp in Texas.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very nice collection of keepers!

 

[lenmac65]

Awesome finds! I have an AT Pro that I started using in April of this year and I'm still learning. This post if very encouraging to me to keep working it. When on zero, I get annoyed with all the iron signals, but after this post I'll give it another go.

Thanks! I suppose any of the Pro modes are fine; I guess I just got used to the zero setting and really like it. I even leave iron discrimination at zero most of the time. Good luck with the AT Pro. I know there are more powerful detectors out there, but if you choose a good location, take your time, and get to know the tones, you will find some great stuff.

 

[lenmac65]

Some nice treasure there - congrats! Looks like that spot was makin' you an offer you cannot refuse...

.... yes indeed!

 

[lenmac65]

Congrats on the silver dimes. It's safe to say your naval button is from a civilian blazer. The little buckle is a trouser waist tightener buckle and dates 1850s to 70s. Many have 1850s and 60s patent dates. They frequently turn up in Civil War and Indian Wars camp sites like this one I found in an 1850s military camp in Texas.
View attachment 1717216

Thanks for the congrats and insights! As much as i was hoping the button was military, I do agree it is most likely civilian. As for age, I am guessing early 1900s based on the things I have found there thus far. Was it fashionable at one time for adults to wear jackets with these buttons, or were they from kids' clothes? As for the buckle; I wish mine had a date like yours and others I have seen. I was actually guessing late 1800s or early 1900s given the history of the property. I wish I could prove it was in the time frame you are guessing. I suppose I would need to figure out the company name, which appears to be BD&R (or H), i think.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Awesome Seated Dime! Congrats

 

[devldog]

Very nice finds and saves of the silver, the horses head and the small buckle. I dug a buckle just like the one you dug back in the early 80's in a CW camp inhabited by some of Uncle Billy Sherman's boys lost here in Georgia.

 

[dirtdigginfool]

Great finds, lenmac! I'm STILL Seated delete...but I'm hunting a lot of older sites now so I'm giving myself a better chance. I'm actually back to my back-up unit, AT Pro, as the Max has developed a nasty chatter at anything anything over 2 bars of sensitivity. Bounce between zero and coin modes, I usually run zero mode to locate the iron and pop over to coin mode... but I bounce back and forth to compare signals. Again, congrats on your great finds, Ddf.

 

[MrBlueSkyNM]

Awesome hunt! And some good advise!

 

[montcalm]

Great variety of coins and relics! I have the same buckle i thought was younger ( no date) I might look back at mine closely. I had info on it then on a french forum , but it,s been a while.

 

[Gridwalker306]

Great variety of coins and relics! I have the same buckle i thought was younger ( no date) I might look back at mine closely. I had info on it then on a french forum , but it,s been a while.

My buckle is exactly like the one lenmac posted, with the fancy design and the word PARIS on it. I always thought it was in the 1890-1910 date range. If you do have info from a French forum I’d love to hear it.

 

[montcalm]

Here one not sure was the one i was thinking not very accurate on the date,the one i think was just about buckle , Found this one too,( second)boucle et bouton à dater.*-*Detecteur.net Forum,http://samaeldetect.centerblog.net/4115-boucle-dite-de-martingale-xix-xx-ieme-siecle