First field hunt of the season produces unknown colonial silver

Bill D. (VA) · Sep 16, 2011

Hit the first field site of the new season today, but only a small area of this huge property was huntable after the corn was recently cut. I've hunted this part of the site before with only a few turn-of-the-century finds made, so I wasn't expecting much. But out in the middle of the field I got a random signal that was in the flat button range. When the target first revealed itself I could see the edge of a small silver disk. Thought it was a gilted flat button, but I was shocked to see that it turned out to be a very thin colonial silver coin dated 1788. I couldn't see much detail due to the black tarnish, but it had an unusual design that I didn't immediately recognize. But it didn't appear to be like any spanish or british silver I've previously dug. When I got home I did a little light electrolysis which did a good job revealing more details. But I'm still not sure what this is. Can someone help with an ID? The other finds were rather paltry, but I was quite happy with the day's effort as colonial silver is always at the top of my list.

umrgolf · Sep 17, 2011

Indyfan73 said:
nice digs let us know what the colonial coin is i have a thought but keep us all informed

It has been id'ed for quite awhile now. Its a 1738 half reale from spain, referred to as a pistareen.

{Sentinel} · Sep 18, 2011

umrgolf said:
Indyfan73 said:

nice digs let us know what the colonial coin is i have a thought but keep us all informed

Click to expand...

It has been id'ed for quite awhile now. Its a 1738 half reale from spain, referred to as a pistareen.

Nice I.D. Jeff :icon_thumleft:

, some people just don't pay as much attention. It's very apparent it's a Phillip V 1/2 Reale Pistareen, nice find :wink:

timekiller · Sep 18, 2011

Not sure if you know or not but that one piece is from a musket trigger guard.Seen on english Iron Barrel Flintlock Blunderbuss (circa. 1815 )at least.The rest of your finds are cool also. :wink:

Take Care,
Pete, :hello:

metalev4 · Sep 19, 2011

Congrats on your first for the year! I am sure there will be several more to come, nice finds.
-Evan

SouthJerseyRyan · Sep 19, 2011

Love the buttons, is that some fabric I can see still attached to one of them?

Brian(upstateNY-Central Fla.) · Sep 25, 2011

very nice way too start Bill

keep it coming too :thumbsup:

Nate in Ga · Sep 25, 2011

Timekiller said:
Not sure if you know or not but that one piece is from a musket trigger guard.Seen on english Iron Barrel Flintlock Blunderbuss (circa. 1815 )at least.The rest of your finds are cool also.
Take Care,
Pete,

NICE EYE!

Woodland Detectors · Sep 25, 2011

Very nice silver Bill. Way to start off the season my friend. Will you be attending this fall's DIV?

Bill D. (VA) · Sep 26, 2011

Hey Mike

Woodland Detectors said:
Very nice silver Bill. Way to start off the season my friend. Will you be attending this fall's DIV?

I was signed up for DIV XIX, but had to drop out. Good luck to you! And congrats on the newborn. I have a daughter named Christina too, but she's 26 years older and getting married next year. Boy how time flies.