Colonial French Silver! Oldest Silver by Far!!!

[romeo-1]

Today was day four (and final) of the Iron Patch Marathon Hunt. If I hadn't found the belt plate on Day 1 this hunt would have been the highlight of the week.

Another one off the wish list...high grade silver French colonial 1702 Louis XIIII 5 Sol!!! I have found a billon French from 1742 but this is in a league of it's own! What makes this an even better find is the fact that when I found it there was a 90 degree bend in the coin...what's with my finds this week...the best ones are bent! Anyway I could not live with such a fine coin in such a condition that it could not be attractively displayed so I took a gamble and set about to straighten it. I heated the coin in a pot of boiling water for 15 minutes. I also heated a small hand vice in the boiling water. Very slowly I turned until it was straight...at least straight enough for me. I am very happy with the results!

This has been an amazing four days of detecting. Royal Artillery belt plate, 2 reale Spanish silver, early French billon silver, a handfull of coppers and a high grade silver French colonial to end the trip.

Huge thanks to my host for the futon to sleep on and the sites to hunt! My hunting this year will be dramatically less due to expecting our first born in September so this past few days is just what I needed!

 

[PA]

hi romeo1,

i found one a few years ago. one of my grand child took it to show and tell in kintergarten and lost it. oh well i will find one soon. go get more now.

henry

 

[romeo-1]

hi romeo1,

i found one a few years ago. one of my grand child took it to show and tell in kintergarten and lost it. oh well i will find one soon. go get more now.

henry

That sucks that yours was lost. I actually thought I lost this one. I had it in an old film cannister in my side pocket and near the end of the day I reach down and it's gone! I think about scouring the field but decide to check the car 1st. Fortunately it was in the back with all of our equipment and garbage...whew!

 

[bigjohn835]

You are my new hero

 

[BuckleBoy]

Sweet Jesus, what finds!


The whole lot of them are incredible.




Excellent restoration on that coin. (were you nervous?)




-Buckles

 

[Ed-NH]

Congrats on the coin. It is beautiful! The rest of your finds are just fantastic. I really enjoy your finds.

 

[Iron Patch]

Sweet Jesus, what finds!


The whole lot of them are incredible.




Excellent restoration on that coin. (were you nervous?)




-Buckles

I think it's time to close the gate. 8)

 

[Bob S]

Nice Finds WTG

 

[romeo-1]

Sweet Jesus, what finds!


The whole lot of them are incredible.




Excellent restoration on that coin. (were you nervous?)




-Buckles

I thought my heart was going to stop during the procedure...but I had nothing to lose!

 

[RELICDUDE07]

You sure showed that ironpatch a thing or two

 

[crazyjarhead]

That's a lot of finds and digging, Romeo

 

[BuckleBoy]

I thought my heart was going to stop during the procedure...but I had nothing to lose!

I know the feeling well. One day perhaps I'll get the nerve to send a find to be professionally restored.



Now don't get cocky and try that with the plate!

 

[romeo-1]

I thought my heart was going to stop during the procedure...but I had nothing to lose!

I know the feeling well. One day perhaps I'll get the nerve to send a find to be professionally restored.



Now don't get cocky and try that with the plate!

Not a chance! The plate stays as is...haven't even run it under the tap for fear of losing the patina!