My 3rd SLQ, but no keeper!

[halfdime]

As a result of my presentation to the local historical society, I was offered two houses to search. I began at the second one this morning, and the first coin out of the ground was this no date SLQ. Shortly thereafter, a man came out the back door and said, "May I help you?" I realized immediately that I was in the wrong yard! He was nice about it, and confirmed that the house I wanted was next door. I left and went over to the right house, where the only coin I found in the time I had was a 62D Washington. Not a bad morning. As I searched the right house, a battle between good and bad Halfdime raged; I decided that I would offer the first man the SLQ. It was an honest mistake, and I hate to lose a coin like that, but it was the right thing to do. I told him I'd clean it up and take a picture for the Internet, then give it to him. He was okay with that.

 

[Rubicon]

Refreshing honesty! 8)

 

[PATreasureHunter]

I think you did the right thing, my friend. I'm sure you will find more SLQ's, most likely in better condition. I think its better to keep that man on good graces, then have him report you, even if he seemed cool about it at the time. Happy Hunting.....

 

[wildrider]

Dang! Dang! Dang!

I feel for you. Sometimes good needs to rage harder than evil.

But, I think you did the right thing.

I'm kinda battling something like that in my head now...unfortunately, good and evil are swimming around in SCUBA gear looking for each other in my mushy oatmeal brain


Burt

 

[Kiros32]

Ummm, well, I hate to be the voice of reason instead of morality, but you didn't damage his yard, he was nice about the mistake, he didn't ask you what you found, I see no reason why you couldn't keep the coin, especially a SLQ.

I understand why you gave it back and I commend you, and under other circumstances, I would have done the same.

 

[CarolinaDigs]

You did the right thing. My crystal ball predicts gold in your future HH

 

[mountainplayer]

Halfdime,

I bet you were pretty embarrassed, but a giving the coin back will be a nice thing for you to do. You might even be invited back to hunt the rest of the yard. You ARE going to ask, aren't you?

MP

 

[Mike Silver -gold]

Thats a tough call. I think I would have kept it. So you made a mistake, A few years ago, I was hunting in a grove behind a very busy store. A new Farrie pulled in and the owner owned the store. He asked to see my finds. I showed him 2 silver quaters I had found. He said he collected silver quaters and took them out of my hand. Like he realy needed the money. The next time I hunted that spot his partner told me to stay out of their grove. Mike.

 

[Mirage]

Nice finds. That would be a little embarrassing to be hunting the wrong yard. Too bad the person was home - you could have hunted the whole yard without any guilt! I suppose you eventually would have found out and then have to give it all back. :P

I have given nice coins to the owners of the properties I have hunted. The hardest would be if it was a first.

Bob

 

[txkickergirl]

good luck is around you!

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

Thats a tough call. I think I would have kept it. So you made a mistake, A few years ago, I was hunting in a grove behind a very busy store. A new Farrie pulled in and the owner owned the store. He asked to see my finds. I showed him 2 silver quarters I had found. He said he collected silver quarters and took them out of my hand. Like he really needed the money. The next time I hunted that spot his partner told me to stay out of their grove. Mike.

I would shoot that guy!! People are so greedy, nice finds. I don't think I would have given him the SLQ, but then again its only worth a buck or two.

Keep @ it and HH!!

 

[Capefearsman]

Everybody makes mistakes the difference is you owned up to yours!! Good deal!!
I would hate to part with the SLQ myself but it came off his land so I know you did the right thing. Just post the gold when you find it... HH WTG

 

[ivan salis]

you did the right thing--your mistake was a honest mistake thats true--- but honest error or not --the fact is you were digging in his yard without permission and thus had no "right" to find the coin or keep it after you found it---you told him you were sorry and gave him the coin ---- thus totally making amends for any mistake you made--- you are therefore a honest man worthy of respect---doing the right thing when only you and god will know if you don't is the mark of a just & moral person. *** now go tell him there maybe more coins out there and strike a deal with him on searching that lawn ---Ivan

 

[paul1410]

Very nice, Halfdime! Your gesture will be repaid tenfold.

Who knows, the owner may even tell you to keep it when he sees that the coin means more to you that to him.

 

[packerbacker]

Or maybe, if he knew Mudswat was willing to shoot him for it, he'd let you have it.

 

[halfdime]

Make no mistake, I will inquire about the rest of the yard!

 

[goldgrubber]

What goes around comes around. It was a tough call, but what you did, not only makes you look good and honest, but also helps all the rest of us treasure hunters look good in the long run. Thanks!

 

[Dman]

Its good to see a good honest man. They are hard to find.
Dman

 

[Colonial Copper Zeus]

Back in 1990 I was invited to detect my wifes(who is now my ex) aunts house. She told me that I could keep everything that I found. I found quite a few wheaties and things when about an hour later I found this really cool 1933 cheaufers license. She saw me cleaning it off and asked to see it. After seeing it she all the sudden changed her tune and said that she was thinking of doing some collage of the house that she lived in and that she wanted it. I wasn't happy but to avoid a problem later with my ex I gave it to her.I have had nothing but great luck recently with landowners who gave me permission. I'll never forget last year when my nephew and I asked permission at a house. The landowner was a huge guy with giant meaty paws that could have put a hurtin on both of us. He said with a serious face that he wanted everything that we found,he paused and then broke out laughing and said "sure you can detect on my property and if you get thirsty we could help ourselves to some soda in the trailer on the hill above his house" we made a good friend that day. we found numerous colonial coppers and a few silver coins. After a few times of detecting he and his gracious wife even asked us how they rated with the other landowners hospitality. Man if everyone we asked permission was that great it would be easier on us all.
Chris

 

[desecrator]

It seems to me to be a nice, but unnecessary gesture. If he didn't even know the coin existed, it was no loss to him. Now, if it was a ring or other personal item, give it to him for sure... but it was a coin that was most likely dropped decades before he even lived there. Not to mention, had it not been for you, he'd of kept on walking over it blindly for the rest of his life. The only thing you owed him was an apology, and that you gave. Hell, I'd have offered to come reseed his lawn before I'd give up an SLQ that I dug. Remember this: metal detectors are available to everyone. People have all the opportunity in the world to buy one and search their property. If they don't choose to do so, IMO, they don't care enough to deserve what's under their feet.