Fought the frozen ground and it almost won until the end I snagged a Vermont copper!

[matt092079]

With temps in the single digits we skipped digging yesterday and hit it today. Well quite possibly a bad idea, seeing as how the ground was frozen in most places over 8 inches down. My cousin Ryan and our friend Chris jumped around from site to site hoping one place would be less frozen than the other with not much prevail. It was 4:30 and the last site and the last signal. Bam, solid 80-82 on the f75. I wasn't leaving this hole without finding out what this was. I dig...like digging on a rock. 3 inches down and it was still frozen as can be. I told the fellas I had a killer signal and wasn't leaving til we get it. They come over and help. Finally about 8 inches through frozen mud and rocks, the propointer goes off. I grab my small lesche and retrieve it. Oh...it's a large flat button...all that work for a flat button. Our buddy Chris grabs it and rubs some more dirt away and reveals a bust on the front. I said nooo way. I grab it back and I see it clear as day the bust and "Vermon" on the side. Vermont copper!! Most likely a counterfeit and this thing is thin as a button. Coulda easily been mistaken for a button. This little booger saved the day. Thanks for looking and HH!

P.S. Sorry for the long story. lol Also sorry for the poor quality pics, had to take them inside tonight.

 

[matt092079]

Don....that's why I wanted to see the reverse. I thought it was a Ryder 13. Matt, I happened to have the Taylor sale auction catalog out so I scanned in the reverse of his Ryder 13 which was an AU. As you can see, there wasn't much on the reverse to begin with. It was heavily polished and had a general lack of detail other than the figure. Nice find. <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=927591"/>

Yes, I read about purposely making the back appear worn. Very cool. Thanks guys. Is this a common version?

 

[The Boots]

Wow, nice save.

 

[doninbrewster]

One of the most common Vermonts. Actually, it's a Vermont made in Machin's Mills and believed to be one of the first Vermonts made there. The reverse die was also used with the counterfeit George III pieces made there. In reality you found both a Vermont and a Machin's piece at the same time. What I think is funny is if you go into the Berkshire Bank in Dorset Vermont, not far from the original Vermont mint, they have a display on the wall with quite a few Vermont coppers stating they were made nearby. This includes a Ryder 13 that was made in NY and not VT.

 

[matt092079]

One of the most common Vermonts. Actually, it's a Vermont made in Machin's Mills and believed to be one of the first Vermonts made there. The reverse die was also used with the counterfeit George III pieces made there. In reality you found both a Vermont and a Machin's piece at the same time. What I think is funny is if you go into the Berkshire Bank in Dorset Vermont, not far from the original Vermont mint, they have a display on the wall with quite a few Vermont coppers stating they were made nearby. This includes a Ryder 13 that was made in NY and not VT.

Thanks for all the info. Where did you get the book you refer to? It sure would come in handy.

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

Not quite the info you are looking for but here is a link about early coppers.

VPR

Colonial Coins - A Listing of Tables and Charts

 

[matt092079]

Not quite the info you are looking for but here is a link about early coppers.

VPR

Colonial Coins - A Listing of Tables and Charts

I found some books on Ebay, they are rather pricey though. Thanks for the link!

 

[doninbrewster]

Some of the books on colonials can be quite expensive. I saw on another blog that someone had recently picked up a copy of Studies on Money in Early America at a used book shop for $5. It's a good book that was put out by the ANS in 1976. I have a working copy and the one pictured signed by Walter Breen, Eric Newman and Ken Bressett. Ken wrote the chapter on the Vermont coinage. I would make a list of good colonial reference books and if you ever happen upon a tag sale or a used book shop, pull out your list. Some coin books are expensive to start with and some have become expensive once they are out of print. It's another way to treasure hunt.

 

[matt092079]

Thanks again!

 

[Truk58]

Great finds Matt, sounds like you really worked hard for them. Happy Hunting.

 

[Don in SJ]

For a book that covers most of the Colonials that are found by us in the states, Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins by Q. David Bowers. I find the descripitions generally good, there are errors in the book,(most corrected with a correction sheet) the photos could have been a tad better quality, but overall, I USE the book as one of my first go to books for a coin such as yours. Not sure of current cost or availability, but several members here have the book....
Don H

 

[matt092079]

For a book that covers most of the Colonials that are found by us in the states, Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins by Q. David Bowers. I find the descripitions generally good, there are errors in the book,(most corrected with a correction sheet) the photos could have been a tad better quality, but overall, I USE the book as one of my first go to books for a coin such as yours. Not sure of current cost or availability, but several members here have the book....
Don H

I saw some cheaper ones on ebay, not sure how in depth they are though. Don't wanna waste my money on something that I could probably find out on the internet.