Goodies Galore! Kicking Off Season II At "Spoon Graveyard"

Brendan M. · Nov 11, 2008

Goodies Galore! Kicking Off Season II At "Spoon Graveyard"

Hello Everyone!

It's been a while: Between becoming a dad this past year and hunting out all my prime summer spots before it was even August, I didn't get out much until recently. But now that the cool weather is here and the dreaded ticks are gone for another season, I can now get back into the woods, where all the action is! Not to mention this year I've got a new DFX to try out...

So of course one of the first places I took my new(ish) machine was the "Spoon Graveyard," where I found a boatload of old coins and relics last year (including 30 or so spoons, hence the nickname). If you haven't read my older posts, I'll just sum up that it's old farmland, heavily used from the 1800s to early 1900s then seemingly abandoned, and never searched with a detector before me. So trust me, I pounded this place hard last year, but figured I was almost obligated to go over it again with my DFX. I'm glad I did!

Focusing on severely overgrown/hard to reach areas I may not have searched as thoroughly last year has given me really good results, and the DFX definitely goes deeper and is more sensitive and stable than my old XLT, so even the areas I've already covered are still producing. I've put in a few good hunts there now, and am combining all those finds into one post. Everything is from roughly 1870-1920. Here's the inventory:

Frog-shaped silver and gemstone ladies' brooch (I LOVE this; you had to see when this thing popped out of the ground)
Three Indian Heads: 1874, 1878, and 1887
Antique keg tap, in mint, working condition
Yale padlock, dated 1877-78 on back
Toy fireman's helmet, with engraving in back
Large dinner-type bell
Six silver-plated spoons (of course!), in various conditions
One belt buckle and two suspender buckles dated 1901
Two buttons -- one flat and one ball shaped with floral design
One Vanline's perfume bottle
Three glass/porcelain mason jar lids, and one clear blue-glass lid
Small harmonica reed
Lantern base, largely intact
Brass furniture pulls (ring-shaped)
Two heavy iron axe heads (not pictured)
A slew of little bits and whatsits (Take a look at pics!)

Brendan M. · Nov 12, 2008

Re: Goodies Galore! Kicking Off Season II At "Spoon Graveyard"

topdog said:
Super job on the relics and coins.

Thank you!

Brendan M. · Nov 12, 2008

Re: Goodies Galore! Kicking Off Season II At "Spoon Graveyard"

kdismuke1 said:
I LIKE THE DIAMOND FROG AND THE BOTTLES HOPE YOU FIND MORE GREAT FINDS LIKE THAT.

LOL....Me too!!!!

Brendan M. · Nov 12, 2008

Re: Goodies Galore! Kicking Off Season II At "Spoon Graveyard"

dgaughan said:
wow brendan that frog brooch is incredible your ih's cleaned up nicely a nice haul for sure congrats and hh

dylan

Thanks Dylan. Yeah that frog is pretty sweet, I must admit....and a real shocker to find!

The IHs seem to come up really nice from this particular spot. No idea why. I've got ones from an area very close by that are toast. The key for me with the Indians is cleaning them in hot peroxide and then giving them a light coat of Blue Ribbon Coin Conditioner. You should give it a try if you haven't already....

Nice to hear from you! Maybe one of these days we'll meet up and hit the Island....

Cheers and HH,
Brendan

Brendan M. · Nov 12, 2008

Re: Goodies Galore! Kicking Off Season II At "Spoon Graveyard"

ModernMiner said:
Holy smokes "B"!!! You come back in style.
What a super variety of finds. Love that frog.
Nice IH's, and dated relics.
Congrats,
Doug

Thanks, Doug! It's funny, because I really did think I hunted the place out last season. Obviously I was very wrong.

Yeah it's been a nice fall so far, although I'm already getting antsy about finding some new spots....we'll see. I was almost going to head down by you for Thanksgiving, and would've looked you up for sure, but alas my wallet is thin right now and so we're gonna stay local instead. I'll get back down there one of these days!

Talk to you soon buddy.

Cheers and HH,
Brendan

ModernMiner · Nov 12, 2008

Re: Goodies Galore! Kicking Off Season II At "Spoon Graveyard"

bmanley99 said:
ModernMiner said:

Holy smokes "B"!!! You come back in style.
What a super variety of finds. Love that frog.
Nice IH's, and dated relics.
Congrats,
Doug

Click to expand...

Thanks, Doug! It's funny, because I really did think I hunted the place out last season. Obviously I was very wrong.

Yeah it's been a nice fall so far, although I'm already getting antsy about finding some new spots....we'll see. I was almost going to head down by you for Thanksgiving, and would've looked you up for sure, but alas my wallet is thin right now and so we're gonna stay local instead. I'll get back down there one of these days!

Talk to you soon buddy.

Cheers and HH,
Brendan

I know what you mean about having a thin wallet lately. I'm out detecting for coins to pay for my kids college, and I even made our miniature Dachshund get a paper route to pay for all the food he eats.

If you're ever in the area please look me up. I always have some old spot to detect at. :thumbsup:

Great job on the spoons again. :tongue3:

Those things are everywhere! Do you think they made more spoons or harmonicas back in those days? :icon_scratch:

-Doug-

Brendan M. · Nov 12, 2008

Re: Goodies Galore! Kicking Off Season II At "Spoon Graveyard"

ModernMiner said:
bmanley99 said:

ModernMiner said:

Holy smokes "B"!!! You come back in style.
What a super variety of finds. Love that frog.
Nice IH's, and dated relics.
Congrats,
Doug

Click to expand...

Thanks, Doug! It's funny, because I really did think I hunted the place out last season. Obviously I was very wrong.

Yeah it's been a nice fall so far, although I'm already getting antsy about finding some new spots....we'll see. I was almost going to head down by you for Thanksgiving, and would've looked you up for sure, but alas my wallet is thin right now and so we're gonna stay local instead. I'll get back down there one of these days!

Talk to you soon buddy.

Cheers and HH,
Brendan

Click to expand...

I know what you mean about having a thin wallet lately. I'm out detecting for coins to pay for my kids college, and I even made our miniature Dachshund get a paper route to pay for all the food he eats.
If you're ever in the area please look me up. I always have some old spot to detect at.
Great job on the spoons again. Those things are everywhere! Do you think they made more spoons or harmonicas back in those days?
-Doug-

Oh man that's harsh. I was thinking of selling my old XLT the other day, but times will have to get tougher for that! However if I found a valuable coin I'd have a hard time not taking a pic and then pawning that sucker. :wink:

I'll definitely look you up down there. Hell that was the whole reason I was looking forward to the trip, definitely not because I was visiting the in-laws! :tongue3:

Yeah those spoons keep coming up. No joke, I think it's at least 30 or so by now from that same spot! Many are also from the same set. I almost have a complete service to give the wife this Christmas.

Man I tell you though, you've got it right -- I had no idea how popular harmonicas were. I mean jeez, those things are everywhere!