My First Flying Eagle Cent, More Injuns, And Of Course, Spoons!

[Brendan M.]

Hello Friends.

I sprinted out the door after work today so I could squeeze in a determined two-hour hunt at the "Spoon Graveyard," which for those of you who don't know, is this nice old cellar hole area I've been working that's been producing lots of old coins, relics, and as you may have guessed, TONS of old spoons. Today I found half of a silver-teaspoon, bringing this one site's spoon total up to 8.5 in just a few hunts.

But enough about spoons; today's highlight was my first Flying Eagle Cent, an 1858. It was pretty toasty, I must admit, and the nickel content in it made it turn thick red like those old V Nickels and Buffalos you see. So I tried the vinegar and salt method to try and salvage some detail, but it's still pretty rough. You can't make out the date in the pics but in the flesh it's visible to the eye. Iffy condition or not, I was still pretty thrilled to find it.

I also nabbed:

• Two Indian Heads (seven total for this site) -- an 1865 (my second-oldest after my 1863) and an 1884 in pretty nice shape
• 1918 Wheatie
• Two knives -- an antique wood-handled pocketknife (second from this site) and just the handle of a larger table/carving knife, as well as another pocketknife fragment
• Silver-plated spoon half as mentioned above
• Horseshoe
• Miscellaneous green whatsits and the ever-present shotgun shells

As long as this spot keeps producing like this, I'll keep digging, and will keep you posted. Hope you enjoyed the pics.

Cheers and HH,
Brendan

 

[Brendan M.]

Thanks Bridgeendfarm, NJ T.H.er, and Neil in West Jersey. Your congrats are much appreciated.

Cheers,
B

 

[Brendan M.]

GREAT JOB FELLOW LONG ISLANDER -- 1 QUESTION NASSAU OR SUFFOLK SECOND QUESTION HOW DID U DIG I BROKE MY SHOVEL TODAY(THE ONE KELLYCO GIVES U }ONLY 40S HERE IN SUFFOLK WARMER BY U MAYBE?LOL KEEP IT UP MAKE US PROUD CHRIS

1.) I live and mostly hunt in Suffolk (I'm based in East Islip). You?
2.) It's been pretty chilly here too, but luckily the spot where I hunt hasn't frozen yet. I have no idea why...Just lucky I guess... However for you it may be the shovel's fault -- I've seen people break 'em before in warm weather. Invest in an authentic Army folding shovel -- the quality is much better. Better luck next time! Let me know if you ever want to hunt.

Thanks for the congrats. Representing Strong Island!

Cheers,
Brendan

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

GREAT JOB FELLOW LONG ISLANDER -- 1 QUESTION NASSAU OR SUFFOLK SECOND QUESTION HOW DID U DIG I BROKE MY SHOVEL TODAY(THE ONE KELLYCO GIVES U }ONLY 40S HERE IN SUFFOLK WARMER BY U MAYBE?LOL KEEP IT UP MAKE US PROUD CHRIS

Chris:
I would like to recommend you order a digging tool from Lesche Tools. Their digging tools are designed for metal detecting and are guaranteed against breakage. You will pay a little more, but they are worth the extra $$. Here is the link:

http://www.predatortools.com/

Brendan:

The Whatisit on the left looks like the strike plate from a door.

 

[coda]

bman,

What a great spot you got! Keep hunting...

 

[Master Sarge]

Great finds!!!

 

[Brendan M.]

The Whatisit on the left looks like the strike plate from a door.

Thanks Neil! Pretty soon I'm going to be able to put this old house back together! 8)

 

[Brendan M.]

Thanks for the congrats, Coda and Master Sarge!

Cheers,
B

 

[UnEarthed72]

Sweet finds,i also found 4 IH's and an 1857 F.E. last year <<<was my best and oldest coin too date.

if you let them soak in oil over night all that crud comes off no problem(i used a toothpick to lightly clean the stubborn gunk off after soaking with no harm to the coin)

keep the finds comming
~Shawn~

 

[John Deere Digger]

congrats on the flying eagle. Always wanted to find one.
JDD

 

[kuger]

Congrats!!I went for a long time never dreaming I would dig a flyer then dug two in two years!!Here in Calif!

 

[Brendan M.]

Congrats!! I went for a long time never dreaming I would dig a flyer then dug two in two years!!Here in Calif!

Wow! And they are both in lovely condition!! Did you do any cleaning? If so, how?

Cheers,
B

 

[Joe G]

I'm free Saturday. Nuff said

Joe G

 

[UnEarthed72]

5 posts up or so......i put my method of cleaning the ones i have found

 

[Brendan M.]

I'm free Saturday. Nuff said

Joe G

Haha! What, suddenly you're not interested in checking out your North Shore spot? :P

I wish I could say I was free...I'll let you know if I am though. It looks like I may not get out again until Monday... I'll keep you posted, bud. Hope all is well with you.

Cheers,
B

 

[Brendan M.]

5 posts up or so......i put my method of cleaning the ones i have found

Gotcha. Thanks. I've tried olive oil before; I was asking Kuger about what he used on his Flyers, because man, they look nice!

Thanks again for the info, bud.

Cheers,
B

 

[Joe G]

2.) It's been pretty chilly here too, but luckily the spot where I hunt hasn't frozen yet. I have no idea why...Just lucky I guess...

Leaves? Insulates the ground...

However for you it may be the shovel's fault -- I've seen people break 'em before in warm weather. Invest in an authentic Army folding shovel -- the quality is much better. Better luck next time! Let me know if you ever want to hunt.

That would be me I bought a cheap Army / Navy store folding shovel that didn't make it past the 3rd hole as Mr B can attest to I then bought a Lesche (predator) Eagle. This puppy will never break.

Joe G

 

[kuger]

Congrats!! I went for a long time never dreaming I would dig a flyer then dug two in two years!!Here in Calif!

Wow! And they are both in lovely condition!! Did you do any cleaning? If so, how?

Cheers,
BThanks!!I was very fortunate as I have horrible soil in most my spots.Nearly all my Sheild nickles are hardly recognizable!Both of these were in mining camps near creeks in a sandy type soil which wasnt so hard on them.I boiled peroxide and dropped them in that a couple times and then used a little E-Zest

it seemed to do a fair job

 

[Brendan M.]

2.) It's been pretty chilly here too, but luckily the spot where I hunt hasn't frozen yet. I have no idea why...Just lucky I guess...

Leaves? Insulates the ground...

Could be...Must be all that poison ivy I rolled in last week. One thing I've noticed is the earth around the trees seems to be more likely to freeze up first. Man, I knew I should have paid attention in Earth Science.... 8)

However for you it may be the shovel's fault -- I've seen people break 'em before in warm weather. Invest in an authentic Army folding shovel -- the quality is much better. Better luck next time! Let me know if you ever want to hunt.

That would be me I bought a cheap Army / Navy store folding shovel that didn't make it past the 3rd hole as Mr B can attest to I then bought a Lesche (predator) Eagle. This puppy will never break.

Hehe I wasn't going to say anything, Joe. Like I said, I blame the shovel! And yes, I still covet that new Lesche of yours. Have you had a chance to break it in?

 

[Brendan M.]

Congrats!! I went for a long time never dreaming I would dig a flyer then dug two in two years!!Here in Calif!

Wow! And they are both in lovely condition!! Did you do any cleaning? If so, how?

Cheers,
BThanks!!I was very fortunate as I have horrible soil in most my spots.Nearly all my Sheild nickles are hardly recognizable!Both of these were in mining camps near creeks in a sandy type soil which wasnt so hard on them.I boiled peroxide and dropped them in that a couple times and then used a little E-Zest

it seemed to do a fair job

Thanks. Yes, they DO look nice!

 

[Nana40]

WoW! That one is on my list to find! But I don't think I'll be gifted with another miracle! That is ONE AWESOME site you have! Fantastic finds and good hunting on your return!

Nana