LC, Sweet Semi Key Indian & CW Store Card

Metal Illness · Feb 9, 2015

Thawed out just enough to be a muddy mess in the field and depending on whether you were in a low area or on the ridge area it was still pretty frozen below the muddy surface, 2-3 inches down then thawing out below that level. I was a tired, aching back whooped pup after 6 hours Sunday. I did find LC #10, Indian #9 and CW Store Card #3 since Jan.2nd and all from one site. Also found 4 flat buttons. The Indian is really Crisp with great detail aside from slight field corrosion. It's condition is really Sweet for a Field Dug Copper coin. Saturday at a different site (first excursion there) I found 2-3 flat buttons and what I think may be another 1/2 Reale, it is very thin and worn smooth on both sides, no detail at all! This site crossed from the bean stubble across the access road into the corn. Man o man hunting that corn was horrible, it was mostly knee high and hard to swing. I will keep this site on hold until spring and maybe they will knock it down some b/4 it's planted.

Thanks for looking, Bill

coinman123 · Feb 9, 2015

Very nice day for finding copper, is there any way you could post photos of the "reale" I am interested to see what it looks like. I like the details and patina on the 1874 Indian Head cent, it looks like XF Details. The store card is very cool, I have not seen one like that.

Coinman123,

Metal Illness · Feb 9, 2015

Hello Coinman,
I'm attaching 3 pictures. A picture of each side and look close, I laid the worn smooth disc on top of my only found 1/2 Reale and you can see it's even smaller in diameter.

Bass · Feb 9, 2015

Nice finds! Congratulations and keep swinging

coinman123 · Feb 9, 2015

Metal Illness said:
Hello Coinman,
I'm attaching 3 pictures. A picture of each side and look close, I laid the worn smooth disc on top of my only found 1/2 Reale and you can see it's even smaller in diameter.

It could be a 1/2 reale but I'm not sure, there was an open collar so the metal was free to expand so you may see different diameters between coins (not usually that big of a difference though) . If not a 1/2 then it is some other kind silver coin. Most coins in the colonial era, until the mid 1800's, were used until they were lost or worn smooth and melted, especially silver coin so it is very common to see them that worn. I'm leaning toward it not being a 1/2 reale due to size though, from the same time though. It could be a half dime, the diameter is the same, a half dime is slightly smaller than a 1/2 reale so it fits that description. What ever it is, it is a very cool old silver coin.
Thanks for the photos.

Coinman123,

Vino · Feb 9, 2015

Great hunt M.I
Looks as though that 1/2 reale was shaved i little..lol.
Look forward to more of ur posts when the ground thaws..
George

Professor of Engineering · Feb 9, 2015

Fantastic day hunting, love those old coppers! Congratulations!

Ahab8 · Feb 9, 2015

Great hunt bud! You've had a great start to the year

Cross Potent · Feb 9, 2015

That indian is gorgeous!

Metal Illness · Feb 9, 2015

Cross Potent said:
That indian is gorgeous!

Thank you! It really is, especially being a field find. I was very happy being that it is a Semi Key also.

cjon455 · Feb 9, 2015

awesome finds!, I love large cents and Indians!!
never have seen the item in the last pic before, very cool!!

Metal Illness · Feb 9, 2015

cjon455 said:
awesome finds!, I love large cents and Indians!!
never have seen the item in the last pic before, very cool!!

The top row left is the Obverse to the bottom picture.

Carolina Tom · Feb 10, 2015

Very nice coins MI. Congrats on a really nice hunt! GL&HH!

park pirate · Feb 10, 2015

Nice IH nice job..

beez0404 · Feb 10, 2015

I love the condition and patina on the IH penny. And since the silver coin has no detail then by God you can say it's anything you want. LOL

Metal Illness · Feb 10, 2015

beez0404 said:
I love the condition and patina on the IH penny. And since the silver coin has no detail then by God you can say it's anything you want. LOL

Interesting approach Beez, I hadn't thought of that, maybe I just found another 1/2 Reale or a capped Bust Dime or a Half Dime? The wish list is endless..................lol

sandchip · Feb 10, 2015

Luvvin' that IH.

beez0404 · Feb 10, 2015

Metal Illness said:
Interesting approach Beez, I hadn't thought of that, maybe I just found another 1/2 Reale or a capped Bust Dime or a Half Dime? The wish list is endless..................lol

Exactly, as long as it's close in size it can be any silver coin. NOW, might be tough to say it's a Morgan dollar or Walking Liberty half for instance.