Day that makes it all worth it, and a question on cleaning.

[WHADIFIND]

I looked at the weather coming up and saw that today might be one of the last really beautiful days. So, when I chose a place to hunt, I went to my favorite school ground. This one is built upon a very old section and there's always a chance for a nice surprise. Today was no exception. Thought I'd share the finds:



Here they are before their bath.



And after. First whole pocket watch I've ever found.

Some closer ups:


Dunno, blob of metal.


Another one, might be a bullet.


Garbage button.


Modern button?

This next one was right on the surface, convenient, eh?




Looks like silver on brass/copper.


I said the same thing when I found it, was a nice giggle in the middle of the day though. LOL


A couple wheaties.


All in all a VERY nice day! As I wrapped up this very pleasant day I was already smiling so it had done the job for me.

OH! OH! OH! I FORGOT!

As I was moving toward the car I noticed something just a bit amiss across the street. Evidently there had been a bit of curb restructuring and the ground was a bit uneven. Looked like it had been dug up and filled back in, so, I said, "Why not?!"

Just a tiny slip of grass between the sidewalk and the road but, it had been dug up. I found a TON of junk!! (Next to the road, where everyone seems to think it's a trash can made just for their convenience. MAN! But, I digress.

After a few clads I had this quarter hit and shallow too. I figured as much since the ground had been overturned. What I saw when I turned the clod over was this:



I just KNEW it was my "exit find for the day".

Looking a little closer, I saw, hallelujah!!! A reeded edge!!! I haven't had a silver coin in soooooooooo LONG!!!



I was on cloud 9! I had absolutely NO care what kind of coin it was, I FINALLY broke the silver drought!

Well, when I moved it out into the light, I was kneeling, after I saw what it was, I sat down! HARD! LOL



A HALF!!!! WHO CARES WHAT ONE!!!!!!

HAPPY DANCE! HAPPY DANCE!

BUT..........it got better!

Once I knocked a bit of dirt off, I got very, very quiet!

A smile broke out and it just got bigger and bigger!!!



Not a clad Kennedy, not, a Franklin, not a Standing Liberty, a softly reposing .....



Seated Miss Liberty!!!!! This was before her bath.





The poor thing has had a miserable life thus far. But, that's ok because she will now be put upon a pedestal and be admired for the rest of time.

Ahhhhhh, what a day!!!!

Oh, the cleaning question? Should I use a Brillo pad or an SOS to finish the clean up.

By the by the scratches were there before I got there. Just lucky she didn't meet up with the jack hammer.

Thanks for peeking!

HH!

 

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[Rich in Central PA]

Very nice half. I have never found a Seated Half in the 20 yrs I've been detecting. Congrats on a very nice find. I agree with the others, a soft bristle toothbrush, a dab of dish washing liquid, and a dab of baking soda should do the trick...........Rich

 

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[sonofadigger]

wow what an awesome find thats great for sure looks like the dollar seeds you planted are starting to sprout congrats

 

[webatch]

Great find! Way to be observant and follow up. I'm with Fishstick on this one... everyone on the street would have known.. if not from my whooping then from the ambulance coming to pick me up. (red lights and sirens tend to draw attention)

 

[bblaha]

Wow great find! I have yet to find a seated

 

[WHADIFIND]

Thanks to all the responders. It is so nice to have a place to share a find of a lifetime. There were many suggestions/cautions about cleaning the coin. First let me say, I was completely joking about steel wool pads.

I've done as much cleaning as it's going to get. Below are the results.

I truly appreciate the congratulatory remarks! There was even mention of this being a "banner" find. I don't know how that works here. I think it's to do with a find that one might only expect once in ones' life. Well, this coin has ALREADY reached that status with me. I've been doing this passion for almost forty years now, (off and on). This coin is my ONLY seated ANYTHING! I do not expect to see another one of this sort the rest of my life, in my own hands. At least, not of this denomination or higher. So, it already holds a banner in my life.

Thanks to everyone for the responses and the encouragement. I probably would never have found this without you helping to keep my pilot light going.

Happy Hunting!

 

[WHADIFIND]

I'm thinking banner, seated's are so cool!

Thanks, Double-D. It was a nice thought. I guess it doesn't fit the parameters.

And yeah, they are cool. Only one I've ever found. Guess it's just rare to me.

Check out the new cleaned up pics.

Cleaned up nicely.

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

Very nice half. I have never found a Seated Half in the 20 yrs I've been detecting. Congrats on a very nice find. I agree with the others, a soft bristle toothbrush, a dab of dish washing liquid, and a dab of baking soda should do the trick...........Rich

Only kidding about the soap pads.

I used a bit of washing soda and foil for the cleaning. Turned out pretty nicely.

Thanks for the response!

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

wow what an awesome find thats great for sure looks like the dollar seeds you planted are starting to sprout congrats

Maybe I should have waited? Picked the dollar seed a bit too early?

Thanks!

HH

 

[CRUSADER]

That a good silver in my books!

 

[WHADIFIND]

Great find! Way to be observant and follow up. I'm with Fishstick on this one... everyone on the street would have known.. if not from my whooping then from the ambulance coming to pick me up. (red lights and sirens tend to draw attention)

Like I mentioned in my post, when I realized what it was, I sat down, hard!!!! I was too shocked to whoop. The heart attack? Close, very close!

Thanks!

HH!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Wire wheel on your hi speed grinder would clean it right up

This made me laugh when I read it--sad thing is I'm sure it has been done before by someone!

 

[WHADIFIND]

if your asking about using brillo on the half DONT!!!!!
try placing some aluminum foil in a pan with very hot water add some backing soda to the water then place the coin on the foil
let it sit until you can take it out by hand dry with soft cloth dont rub apt it dry

Pretty much that's what I did. (See the updated pics) Only I used a bit of washing soda instead. Cleaned up nicely.

Thanks for the response and the tips.

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

Man I love it. San Francisco mint, probably silver from the Comstock. That was the mostus and the closeust silver anyhow.

HUH! Comstock silver! I had never even thought of that, makes it mega neat eh?

Thanks!

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

I agree with Frank, don't use anything abrasive on it. Another trick is to wet it then wrap it tightly in aluminum foil (don't rub the foil across the coin, just press it down hard by hand). It should get warm to the touch and smell a bit like rotten eggs....wait a few minutes then wash with soap and water. Repeat as neccessary. If you really want to clean it up put some baking soda on your fingers and massage the coin or use some tooth paste and a soft toothbrush (but beware that this will constitute "cleaning," although the coin will look nice an shiney with the latter approach). The foil will remove the gunk, but not leave the coin as shiney. I haven't tried Frank's approach at all, but sounds interesting.

Congrats on the great half!!

I did Frank's approach but used a bit of washing soda and warm water. No rubbing. Came out nicely! (see updated pics)

Thanks!

HH!

 

[romeo-1]

Nice big silver! If it were mine I'd start out with course grit sandpaper to knock the crud off and then work your way down to fine grit. You may need to use a power sander to take down the dings but when you're done it should be as smooth as silk!

 

[WHADIFIND]

Amazing find... silver cloth would make that thing look good too. Brillo pad? You're kidding right??

Ummmmmm, yeah, kidding. LOL

(see the updated pics)

Thanks!

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

WTG,so awesome oh the thrill,,HH

Oh my yes! The thrill was immense! Almost did me in, (not a bad way to go though ).

Thanks!

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

Congrats on a great day with wonderful ending! Andi

I couldn't have written an ending better than this one turned out.

Thanks!

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

Wow a seated half is sill on my wih list! Regarding cleaning... I usually use soap and water on silver. And however is comes out it is what it is. Very rarely do I use any more than that.

Thanks for the tips. I agree, minimal is best. She turned out beautiful! (At least in my eyes. )

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

Wire wheel on your hi speed grinder would clean it right up
Awesome Awesome Coin, yes Awesome.
IMO dug Silver coins look best with just a bit of thumb polish,
you can buy nice shiny ones...
Regarding your 'lump', I keep all of these that I can't Field ID,
7 metal test kit for $15 on epay is a tool every digger needs.
one of my 'Dirty lumps' turned out to be 14 grams of 14K,
and you'd never have thought it til you got under the crust

Yep, that would sure make it all shiny! Maybe as good as the belt sander! No details, but. very, very shiny!

Awesome? I guess so, but banner and awesome must be 2 different things.

I have a metal test kit but it's only for gold/silver. I'll have to look into the other.

Thanks!

HH!