My first big silver

Mi$terG · Jan 25, 2013

Back on December 5, I decided to head out to the woods next to the local lake to see what I could find. It was a crisp, clear and sunny New England day and I had a good feeling. I had found a few mercs in this area since just after Thanksgiving, and was hoping for another. It was going really slowly on the footpaths, so I decided to head down to the water's edge to try my luck there. The undergrowth was incredibly thick with saplings and especially thorns... But I made my way down to the water. There were a few large rocks there, and I thought to myself, what better place to sit on a hot summer day- and possibly drop something! So I started to sweep the coil around the first rock. Nothing there- so on to the next. Nothing on one side... Then as I came around to the water-facing side I got an unquestionable half-dollar signal- repeating from every angle- at about 6 inches. I was really excited- was hoping for a Walking Liberty actually. I knelt down between the branches and thorns and dug out 5 inches of soft, black soil and got the pinpointer in there, at which time it was screaming (that Garrett pinpointer sound that we love!), so I reached in with a bare hand and out comes a slightly bent, BIG coin. The first thing I recognized was that it was seated... I think I yelled out loud "seated!"- and then I saw the date and mint mark- 1858-O. In awesome shape except for the bend. Was thinking that maybe it saved someone's life by deflecting a bullet? No matter. A question for you all- should I try to get it flattened out- and if so, how? Thanks all!

Daffyduk · Jan 25, 2013

Honestly, Id keep it as is. Your not gonna be able to get it completely flat without damaging it more than what it is. Awsome find though!!!

Sooper Dave · Jan 25, 2013

That is a great find! To me there is more to story of the find when it has some "character". It is a beautiful seated half with a great story, Congrats!

dig kzoo · Jan 25, 2013

I would keep it as it is, it has great character and what a conversation piece! what a great find!

hamiddetecting · Jan 25, 2013

Wildcat1750 · Jan 25, 2013

Awesome Seated Half Dollar. I wouldn't get it flattened if it were mine. There's got to be a story behind the bending, even tho you'll never ever know it. It's a handsome coin just the way it is. :icon_thumleft:

63bkpkr · Jan 25, 2013

And I look below the half dime post to find your post on the bent half dollar. Great story, great pictures and a great coin. I would love to find anything with the O mint mark!!

If I may ask what detector are you using? Super Find...........63bkpkr

WHADIFIND · Jan 25, 2013

I wouldn't do anything to it, quite the show piece! I'm not opposed to cleaning up a find for oneself but, this one has such a great story and possible stories associated. Set it up as a display piece and just enjoy!

Great find!

HH!

boris · Jan 25, 2013

Mi$terG said:
Back on December 5, I decided to head out to the woods next to the local lake to see what I could find. It was a crisp, clear and sunny New England day and I had a good feeling. I had found a few mercs in this area since just after Thanksgiving, and was hoping for another. It was going really slowly on the footpaths, so I decided to head down to the water's edge to try my luck there. The undergrowth was incredibly thick with saplings and especially thorns... But I made my way down to the water. There were a few large rocks there, and I thought to myself, what better place to sit on a hot summer day- and possibly drop something! So I started to sweep the coil around the first rock. Nothing there- so on to the next. Nothing on one side... Then as I came around to the water-facing side I got an unquestionable half-dollar signal- repeating from every angle- at about 6 inches. I was really excited- was hoping for a Walking Liberty actually. I knelt down between the branches and thorns and dug out 5 inches of soft, black soil and got the pinpointer in there, at which time it was screaming (that Garrett pinpointer sound that we love!), so I reached in with a bare hand and out comes a slightly bent, BIG coin. The first thing I recognized was that it was seated... I think I yelled out loud "seated!"- and then I saw the date and mint mark- 1858-O. In awesome shape except for the bend. Was thinking that maybe it saved someone's life by deflecting a bullet? No matter. A question for you all- should I try to get it flattened out- and if so, how? Thanks all!

If I remember correctly the NCS has a place to fix our soiled coins, I think they are in Florida?

JohnnyMac · Jan 25, 2013

Looks great as is,,I'd leave it alone :icon_thumleft:

Davers · Jan 25, 2013

A BEAUTIFUL SEATED HALF IN SUPER CONDITION [ My opinion better bent than " holed" ]Davers

chkn · Jan 25, 2013

Wow, keep looking!!!

Doc Arey · Jan 25, 2013

joesdigs · Jan 25, 2013

Amazing coin... I wouldn't touch it... Think it's got a story as it is

wheatfinder13 · Jan 25, 2013

Awesome silver

webatch · Jan 25, 2013

Wow great find.

I doubt that it was bent by a bullet ... I would think anything that applied enough force to bend the coin would have cause significant damage to the surface image.

It almost looks as if it had been hot enough to flex of its own weight. Strange? Anybody have any theories?

SilverPirate · Jan 25, 2013

Awesome coin! I would leave it the way it is..

Mi$terG · Jan 25, 2013

Thanks all. 63bkpkr- I am still learning (only started MD last March- first find ever was an 1895 Indian- hooked instantly!)- and I'm still using an Ace250 and a Garrett Pro Pointer.