Eagle Belt Plate and Some Silver

[artifacthunter]

It was great to get out this weekend and enjoy some time detecting. I started Sunday afternoon and went to the local school grounds that have been hunted pretty heavily. I had yet to hit silver there, so I was pleased when a 1943 merc showed up. A piece of iron wire was about 3" to one side, so this gave a bit of a confusing signal. Later that evening I had a few hours to hunt a yard that as far as we know was never hunted before. Within 15 minutes I had a plug with two mercs (1937, 1941) and a wheat, and a second plug with a 1944 merc. After digging a few pieces of trash, I got a strong signal that indicated copper at 1/2" deep. Curious, I cut a plug about 2 1/2" deep and found the target was still in the hole. I reached down to about 3" and found a rectangular piece of what I thought was scrap copper until I saw a bit of design poking out of the dirt. My first plate! A quick check of the internet showed a similar design in both the Civil War time period and post Civil War. The back of this stamped plate is missing the tongue and belt loop - I checked the hole and surrounding area carefully, but found nothing else. It came out of the ground with a brown color - this particular soil did not give it a very pleasing patina (I only lightly washed it with water). Let me know if you think you can date this plate.
I hunted again this morning at another site with plenty of signals, but my best finds were an old lead soldier and a harness bell.
I've included a picture of all of my trash and treasure from the weekend to give you an idea of the mix of items I dug. As you can tell, I've been digging pretty much any signal that gives even a hint that it might be good, so trash to treasure ratio is pretty high.
Thanks!

 

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[drgest]

Every time I start getting lazy on digging targets I run across a post like yours that gives me that needed attitude adjustment. Nice job and congrats! You really earned your finds.

I'm really a novice on belt plates. I suppose that's why a lot of worthy finds don't get nominated due to the viewers' lack of expertise. But I am following BB's and Johnny's lead (thanks guys) and have nominated as well.

As a side note I am always interested in the monetary value of such finds. It gives you an idea of the rarity or collectibility of an item. Anybody (hint, hint BB and Johhny) have an idea on value? both in current condition and a more minty condition?

 

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[BuckleBoy]

Every time I start getting lazy on digging targets I run across a post like yours that gives me that needed attitude adjustment. Nice job and congrats! You really earned your finds.

I'm really a novice on belt plates. I suppose that's why a lot of worthy finds don't get nominated due to the viewers' lack of expertise. But I am following BB's and Johnny's lead (thanks guys) and have nominated as well.

As a side note I am always interested in the monetary value of such finds. It gives you an idea of the rarity or collectibility of an item. Anybody (hint, hint BB and Johhny) have an idea on value? both in current condition and a more minty condition?

Hard to know... Georgia State Seal buckles in mint condition are $8,000-$10,000 pieces... This one has a few strikes against it, even though it is of the same rarity. First off it is dug. Second it is bent. (Do NOT try to bend it back yourself! Have it professionally done if you wish.) Third, since it is a prewar plate, the collector demand will be much less--regardless of rarity. And fourth, it is a Federal plate rather than a Confederate one (which also affects the demand).


In short, I have no clue as to value. I have not seen one come up for auction or sale--ever. I looked for about an hour through old auction catalogs and online resources this morning and couldn't turn up anything. Nor do I know how much these four "strikes" against this plate will affect the value.



Regards,



Buckles

 

[Trond]

Beautiful find.