Colonial silver?? To be, or not to be -- that is the question ....

[Bill D. (VA)]

My buddy Dan and I were finally able to access a very promising site that we've been trying to get into for over a year now, although only part of the property was made available to us yesterday. As soon as we walked out into that first small field we immediately started seeing early brick and pottery scattered over a wide area with a little iron thrown in as well. But after hitting that spot for a bit it became obvious that someone had hunted it hard before as the low tones almost entirely predominated. I did get a bit of excitement when I unearthed what appeared to be a well-worn and very thin silver coin, but we were both skeptical about its true identity. After returning home I tried removing some of the tarnish, which was brown instead of the black we usually see on silver, and didn't have any luck even with electrolysis. I also compared it to a couple slick half reales, and although this "coin" was actually a little thicker, it was much lighter in weight (0.42g vs 1.20g). I finally had to give in and admit this was not a silver coin but probably some aluminum whatzit. I know this will put a smile on Dan's face since I won't be able to make up any ground in our little colonial silver competition . The rest of the hunt was pretty uneventful for me with only a few odds and ends from the 1800s, but it was still great to get out after a 2-week hiatus due to the snow.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[CRUSADER]

Yes its a hammered silver which looks a little debased.

 

[CRUSADER]

I'm thinking some sort of billion French hammered.(you can't fold aluminum)

 

[trapperart]

Very nice finds congrats

 

[joeyfresh]

I think Cru nailed it. It looks like there's a circular counterstamp on that coin, perhaps a fleur de lis.

 

[DigIron2]

Nice finds Bill.congrats on new permission.if someone missed all that I am sure they missed allot more.This is what I use to test for silver

 

[A2coins]

That is really awesome

 

[Gridwalker306]

You did great for a pounded spot, and I hope that disc turns out to be counterstamped Spanish silver. That would be so cool

 

[HomeGuardDan]

I'm thinking some sort of billion French hammered.(you can't fold aluminum)

Cru - I always agree, but am a little torn on this one... aluminum tin can be folded very easy (agreed straight aluminum is more brittle). I went back and forth with Bill on this one. It is just super super light...it actually kept blowing out of my hand with the wind.

 

[HomeGuardDan]

I think Cru nailed it. It looks like there's a circular counterstamp on that coin, perhaps a fleur de lis.

ha I know who Joey is pulling for in this compo ha ha

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

ha I know who Joey is pulling for in this compo ha ha

Well, I think we need an official ruling on this one. Who wants to step up besides Cru (and Dan ). Where are you Joey

 

[Eastcoasthunter21]

Nine find. Hammered silver great digs

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Well, I think we need an official ruling on this one. Who wants to step up besides Cru (and Dan ). Where are you Joey

To be fair...I said you should get a silver tester to be sure...but I would be very surprised if it were silver.

Had fun as always man.

 

[acm3]

Wow ...great finds! Congrats

 

[CRUSADER]

To be fair...I said you should get a silver tester to be sure...but I would be very surprised if it were silver.

Had fun as always man.

Not pure silver, 60/40.

 

[Scrappy]

Cru beat me to it, but I immediately thought debased silver such as billon due to the color and apparent aging. My vote is OLD silver! Nice find Bill.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Hey Bill you always find interesting stuff! Who knows what the story is behind it, a picture is worth a thousand words...but words, go for a lot, especially if it is a good tale they tell!
Awesome finds!

 

[joeyfresh]

ha I know who Joey is pulling for in this compo ha ha

Haha. I'm too worried about finding my own silver..or any coin for that matter. Seriously though, I swear I see something on that aluminum....errr...I mean silver disk that resembles a coin.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Haha. I'm too worried about finding my own silver..or any coin for that matter. Seriously though, I swear I see something on that aluminum....errr...I mean silver disk that resembles a coin.

I see some markings too but can't make them out.

 

[Iron Patch]

A quick lemon juice soak with a little brushing would likely go a long way.