Colonial silver knee buckle. Officer's 18th century artillery button. Some coins.

Aureus

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Sep 5, 2016
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The heat is absolutely unbearable this year. Managed to hunt only twice this week, each time not longer than 2-3 hours. But I still managed to find some interesting relics and coins.

My favorite find was on my bucket list for a few years.
An early silver knee buckle.

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My best guess would be 18th Century.
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The buckle has a maker's mark which seems to be T.W I haven't seen any city marks or a year letter
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I'm not sure who's the maker or if it was made in England or the New World. The English maker's mark that ressembles the one found on the buckle is that of Thomas Wallice from the late 1700's If someone has an idea on why it's missing the other marks and who's the silversmith, your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

An other interesting find was British officer's artillery button from 1780's I believe it's my 4th one this season.
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A very pleasant surprise was awaiting for me at one of my new spots. Not one but two Trade and Navigation Halfpenny tokens from 1813
If only all of my coppers came out of the ground in that condition.
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An other surprise was George IV 1825 farthing. They are very uncommon where I'm at.
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A few early coppers some of which are gone beyond recognition.
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Thanks for the comments.
 

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Wasn't expecting to pull early silver in that heat yesterday. Just spoke to you maybe an hour before that, complaining of a early silver coins drought. :laughing7: Funny how things are sometimes as I'm happier with that buckle than I would be with a half Real.

Iโ€™d take a silver buckle over an 8R in a heartbeat
 

Got a possible ID for the buckle. As I was suspecting it might be by Thomas Wallis. He was making silver buckles among other things starting in 1750's
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Those are all superb finds! I know you colonial diggers all dream of finding a silver buckle, so congratulations! Thatโ€™s just awesome!

Thanks J.Cache. Very happy with this find.
 

You have done quite well for yourself. A Silver buckle is a dandy find. The British Officer's button, 1/2 Penny Tokens, and George iV Farthing is a hoot. You even got some what is it's. All tolled a fine hunt. Kudos.

Thanks Kurios1.
 

Cmon man!!!! I can deal with the killer early military buttons and ridiculous old silvers. But damn you and your silver buckle! Thatโ€™s something I really care about finding.

:laughing7: I knew you'll like this one.
 

Awesome finds man. I love the buckle frame and button. Great to have a makers mark and a possible id.
 

Got a possible ID for the buckle. As I was suspecting it might be by Thomas Wallis. He was making silver buckles among other things starting in 1750's
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I won't be happy with that as an exact match, & they normally are, so I would only put 50-80% confidence on it. However, the date range is spot on which helps it a bit. (& maybe it varied somewhat over the years)

It's pretty normal not to get the full set of marks (which is whats holding back the certainty of an ID), as taking it to the Assayer's to pay the the tax took time & money. Although it was a risky move to do it illegally, like this.
 

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I agree it has ben a real hot summer. You have been on a hot streak yourself with all of those items . They are all fantastic finds .My dumb question is why is that knee buckle called a knee buckle?
 

I agree it has ben a real hot summer. You have been on a hot streak yourself with all of those items . They are all fantastic finds .My dumb question is why is that knee buckle called a knee buckle?

Because it was attached near the knee to hold their breeches/stockings securely in place
 

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Big congrats on the silver knee buckle. Finding one is definitely on my bucket list. Old buckles always ring up like silver on my machine, Iโ€™m always hoping a solid silver one like yours will pop out. Congrats!!
 

Nice finds as always! I always enjoy seeing your posts. You have some great spots there
 

Like everyone has mentioned,A Silver is on many a relic hunters bucket list,including mine.
The button and amazing tokens is icing on the cake.
Amazing hunts

Thanks Relicific
 

Wow those are some awesome finds. Those tokens look like they were dropped yesterday! Very cool finds! :icon_thumleft::icon_thumright:

Thanks Whyme. I just love digging coppers in the gentle soil.
 

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