I'm BACK! Early US Navy Eagle, CW Cuff and big SILVER~

Patriot Relics

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Feb 6, 2014
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Location
Lowcountry, South Carolina / Richmond, Virginia
🥇 Banner finds
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Detector(s) used
CTX-3030, Deus XP II
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Hey guys,

First post since my return from my vacation in the sandbox. While spending time with the family has been the priority, I have managed to sneak away and hit a few colonial sites around the lowcountry. Happy to report that Dirtstaker, Stef45, and Gheenoe haven't completely cleaned out the dirt down here while I was away :laughing7:

Out of the gate I dug an old lot that has been covered in fill dirt. Stef had recently pulled a few confederate buttons and silvers, so my expectations were high. Fired up the DEUS, walked 3 feet from the truck and bam...slamming 79. While I expected trash, I was certainly not walking away from my first target in 4 months. Flipped the plug and saw a beautiful flat button.

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Shockingly, it was the only 18th century relics to come from this site. What I initially thought was a British tutor rose lieutenant button, ended up being a nice civilian variety (to many petals). Still a nice period button. Next target finally broke my military button slump- union eagle cuff (Extra Quality backmark).

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While the next site was productive...the goal was to score a military 1 piece button. Did recover a 1907 Barber half (my first) and a handful of mercury dimes. IHPs were to roached for dates.

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Rotated sites to an 18th century trash pit that has been productive in the past. Sure enough it did not disappoint- CTX picked this beauty from the salt flat. 1802-1808 US Navy button- 16 star variety. I've dug this later versions, but this one is by far the earliest.

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Here's a nicer example

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Other digs included a nice pile of flat buttons and a silver washed rein guide.

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Among the earliest recovered was a pair of pewter buttons from an early 1700s wharf. The smaller has a small ring around the center.

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Rounding out the finds was a small cross from my 3rd/19th Reg of Foot camp. Honestly I didn't give much though to it after I dug it...dismissed as modern. A bit of online research revealed a few 18th century examples that were prefect matches.

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While on the coast also eyeballed a handful of fossils (thanks Irma)- sharks teeth (big one is a Maco I believe), whale & shark vertebraes, and a nice piece of 5000 year old native american pottery.

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That about wraps it up, great to back out swinging in the states- thanks for looking!

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Upvote 51
Welcome home Jon. I figured you got back and might have had to turn right around flying planes out for the storm! Way to knock it outta the park bud!

Hopefully we can link up now that your settled into the new place
 

What a great variety of some AMAZING finds - congratulations!
 

Very nice early Navy button Jon! Love diggin old military relics, best digs in my opinion! Glad you're back safe and best of luck to you down there!
 

DANG NICE FINDS THAT BLOWS THE MIND.
 

Nice hunt VMI
Love the buttons. And who don't love big silver.
Barber halves I've seen a few pulled but I've got none !
Nice recoveries. Hh gl ech

Thanks eastcoast... Not going to lie was really hoping it was going to be a big Spanish, but still beats a skunk.
 

All killer finds Jon. Nice to see you're finally getting to work after your desert vacation. That's a stunning Navy button

Thanks Steve, certainly the earliest naval button I've recovered...looks great in the display with its infantry counterparts :laughing7:
 

Great to see you back safely my friend. Looks as though you haven't lost your touch with the treasure hunting. Great assortment as usual

Great to be back in the dirt Abe, hopefully more early military buttons in that lowcountry dirt.
 

Nice digs, and a great way to come back!!

BTW I have dug that same cross at an early'ish 1800's Spanish Mission era site in California, it's a late 1700's cross, hand cast, with Jesus hand riveted to the cross and hand finished. The earth was kinder to mine, it's complete and amazingly even has the original hand made rosary bead chain (sans the beads which rotted away long ago!).

HH,
Cal
 

Nice hunting! Liking the buttons and silver.

Looking for those teeth was an addiction for me.
 

Nice digs, and a great way to come back!!

BTW I have dug that same cross at an early'ish 1800's Spanish Mission era site in California, it's a late 1700's cross, hand cast, with Jesus hand riveted to the cross and hand finished. The earth was kinder to mine, it's complete and amazingly even has the original hand made rosary bead chain (sans the beads which rotted away long ago!).

HH,
Cal

Thanks, sadly it was intact out of the dirt and after a light cleaning Jesus's torso caved. Congrats on your intact example
 

Hopefully we can link up now that your settled into the new place

Anytime! I'm ready to get back to digging for fun than to be digging for yard work! :laughing7:
 

Welcome back and great work. Always love to see a collecting trifecta (detected, indigenous, and fossil or mineral)!

Look forward to more...
 

Glad to see you're back at it Jon, and with a vengeance for sure. Looks like you had a stellar hunt with a little bit of everything. Keep hitting it hard ....
 

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