Low Country Colonial Finds-GOLD!

tndirtdigger

Full Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2015
Messages
108
Reaction score
754
Golden Thread
2
Location
Middle Tennessee
🥇 Banner finds
2
Detector(s) used
Minelab Equinox 800, Garrett AT Pro, Garrett AT Max
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Took a trip over Thanksgiving to South Carolina and had the opportunity to hunt a plantation that I have hunted at least one day a year for the past 5 years. This place has not been hunted and I was constantly digging signals no matter where I went. I believe this was a settlement from the early 1700s that eventually was lost to history and then became a plantation and house site. Well, the site did not disappoint on this hunt.

The top find of the hunt is a solid gold thimble. The thimble does not have any makers marks or initials but is definitely solid gold. It came out of the ground just as shiny as the day it went in the ground. It is unknown hold old the thimble is but it could date to the 1700s and most likely 1800s. I wish I knew more information on the thimble but from what I understand is that gold thimbles were usually given as gifts and were no used for everyday sewing. They also suggest that the family had some money if I had to guess.

Also found what appears to be a revolutionary war solid shot cannonball. This would have to be confirmed by an expert but it is 2 lbs .6 oz and measures 2.44 inches in diameter. The best I can tell by the ordinance manual is this may be a 2 pound solid shot but there is not much info available for cannonballs under 3 lbs which were very common in the Rev war.

There are several brass items that need identification so if anyone knows what the brass items are please help me out. I have identified the inside of the clock frame, colonial rosette, toy cannon that actually can be shot, KG 3 half penny, 1892 indian head penny, and civil war bullets. Some of the other brass items may be revolutionary war relics but I don't know much about colonial relics as I am mostly a civil war relic hunter. There are several flat buttons ranging from a nice dandy button, tombac buttons, pewter buttons with the P N markings on the back, and various other sized buttons. I am curious about the small screw like object with the ball and hole on the end, as wells as, the other brass items which I have no idea what they are.

Thanks for looking and happy hunting!
 

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Upvote 64
The earlier comment about the solid gold thimble not being as valuable as a chain cent, and therefore not banner worthy, seems really ludicrous to me !!
If that was the standard by which banner selections were made , you could eliminate 75 percent or more of the banner nominees. I'm also sure that another gold thimble made banner here a year or more ago . Really ignorant comment in my opinion ! Great Find !! Banner !
 

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It's not everyday you see a gold thimble posted. I think having one back then in of itself was rare so my banner vote is in!
 

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Very Nice!!! Congrats!!!
 

Holy crap, what an amazing assortment! Gold thimble? I can't imagine there are more than a handful of people on this whole forum that have ever found one of those. Congrats and of course the cannonball and all the other finds are amazing too!
 

This is only the second gold thimble I’ve seen posted on here in ten years. A luxury item, and a super rare dig- totally voting banner on this!

The rest of your finds are top notch as well, congrats
 

Wow! Lots of incredible finds you have there. You have some wonderful colonial finds that must have been heart stopping to find, especially being in a area where so many good things are being un-earthed. I have to agree with what others have said, I'm going to have to vote banner on the gold thimble. There's something about it that says it needs to be up top for people to see. Congratulations on some awesome finds.
 

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Hmmm...the cannon or the thimble, which is cooler? BOTH! Nice!
 

Definitely a banner caliber find. I found a gold cufflink that didnt even sniff a banner vote that was probably as old or older and equally as rare but a gold thimble definitely has that cool factor that a cufflink lacks. Congrats
 

19th C Thimble:thumbsup: (as someone said, only the 2nd I remember posted)

A bunch of cool finds - congrats.
 

You made a lot of great finds and have some really cool history represented here. The gold thimble has got my vote and I really like the toy cannon! Count down the days til next year!
 

Those are some great finds.

That gold thimble is top notch.

Jer
 

That's a lot of nice finds, you must have exclusive access to that plantation for there to be so many targets. I can't even find a silver thimble that isn't smashed flat, so to find a gold one in such nice condition is a bonus. As others have said, a gold thimble has previously made the banner and I think yours is deserving too. Casting my vote now.
 

I say Congratsulations on the Plantation permission. That in itself is a Banner accomplishment.
Excellent Gold thimble dig along with the other cool finds. Man that must have been a thrill on each and every plug dug, even the trash. Thanks for sharing and GL.:occasion14:
 

Thanks everyone for the kind comments and of course any banner votes that were cast for the thimble. I currently have the cannonball in electrolysis and hope to upload another photo if possible to show the finished product. Thanks again and if anyone knows what some of the brass items are please chime in. Also if The Cannonball Guy makes an appearance on the thread please comment on the size descriptions for the cannonball and let me know your thoughts!
 

A nice King George III like that is high on my bucket list, and that thimble is terrific. Congrats on a productive day!
 

You are lucky to have such a fantastic place to hunt. You have pulled some really great artifacts out of the ground with an amazing variety. My favorites are the gold thimble, toy cannon and cannon ball. I believe the thimble is rare enough of a find to be banner worth. My vote is in. Good luck and keep swingin.
 

Wow what a score holy moly that's alot of cool stuff. That thimble is a prize. Great job thanks for sharing
 

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