First hunt 2009 - at least there was silver

[Don in SJ]

Had a chance to get out for my first hunt of the year, although it was of very short duration, and unexpectantly wet with a rain shower, I managed a bunch of shotgun shell casings, the copper boot pieces found so often, a bell that at first I thought was one of those bells worn by hunting dogs, but upon looking at it closely, it is much thicker and heavier and older than the others I have found, so not sure the purpose of this bell, but most likely a 1900 or there about time frame.

After getting soak and wet from the shower, I decided just to walk the old road in front of the homestead and detect slowly, and got rewarded with a 1896 Barber Dime. Better than not getting anything at all, but this homestead is a bit of a mystery.

Last year my first hunt of the year was at the same site and I got a few buttons and a 1723 King George I Halfpenny. But after that the followup hunts were finding mostly late 1800 to early 1900 era artifacts and one IndianHead penny. I think perhaps there was an early occupation followed by none and then another occupation in the late 1800s for about 20 years perhaps.
Anyway, glad to get the bell and dime, but hope next hunt for a bit older finds.

Don

 

[aa battery]

like nick says don always finds the good stuff

 

[seger98]

You have two super nice finds there! Congratulations on the barber!

 

[DD-777]

Nice digs Don - glad to hear you got out even if it was a short trip. The site I dug that 1729 KG II "young type" seems to be similar to yours - one trip out we find some 1700s goodies and the next trip out we find nothing but late 1800s to early 1900s goodies. Certainly not in any great numbers either. Eventually these sites will "cough up" some special pieces I'm sure. Congrats on that pretty bell and the dime doesn't look half bad either...

 

[myelo1023]

Must be nice to find a 1896 Barber and hope for a "bit older finds" on the next hunt! Geez...here in Texas....I'd be FREAKIN on the 1896! Awesome finds!

 

[ringfinder]

Nice Barber and really like the Bell!! My first Silver for the year was a 1901 Barber dime, I just found it
today.

HH, Ringfinder

 

[ModernMiner]

Congrats on the silver Don, but that bell is the coolest. Looks old for sure.
-MM-

 

[twistidd]

Nice finds. I found the exact same bell last month in the woods near Chicago. I don't know what it could have been used for, but it is pretty cool.

Joe

 

[DEMERSON]

look's like today was bell day. i wish mine looked that good.

 

[camb1]

You have two super nice finds there! Congratulations on the barber!

I second that.

 

[wildrider]

Maybe it's from one of those miniature churches.

 

[t-bucket]

Congrats on the 96 Barber and cool bell !!!

 

[River Rat]

Great finds, Don Love that bell.

RR

 

[Jack(IN)]

Some times ya gotta dig that new stuff!! I do like the bell!!!

 

[SoreKneesDayton]

Nice find Don. Wonder if the bell and coin are from the same era. Looks like you have a good site with lots of future possibilities.

SKD

 

[azmetaldetector]

Check for a 'O' or an 'S' mintmark on that dime. In either case it would be an $80.00 coin in G4 condition according to the 2008 Red book.
Even the no mintmark 1896 is a $10.00 coin in G4.
Nice find/

 

[Weasel_Loader]

That's a pretty cool find. I'd love to dig up something like that. I usually get boring junk relics, but then again, I'm mostly a turf hunter too. Thanks for posting for us to enjoy.

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Congrats on the barber and nice bell! Must be a German bell as I find many pieces like yours here, never an intact bell like it yet. HH, Mike

 

[dfx willy]

awesome dig there don! great way to start the year bud even if it isnt old as you want. don i got the old stuff fever too. willy.

 

[hogge]

like nick says don always finds the good stuff

SPLENDORIFIC!