My First Indian Trade Silver Plus Other Nice Finds

[462]

Got back out to what my buddy and I call the "Button Field" (50+ buttons found). Found my first Indian trade silver brooch, a saddle shield with Prince of Whales type engraving, 1810 and 1838 large cents, a couple tack buckles, 3 more flat buttons, what looks like a flattened 3 ringer (weight matches within 1 gram), and some pewter spoon pieces, three of which match up to make a nearly complete spoon.

 

[romeo-1]

That trade silver is great...something that has been on my list but has avoided my coil for 11 years and counting!

 

[Diggin Dude]

Really super finds!! Congrats and HH

 

[trapperart]

Very nice assortment of finds congrats

 

[462]

Thanks for the comments everyone! I went back yesterday to the same place and found this.

 

[diggingthe1]

What a spot! I'm sure you will be back!! Amazing finds!!!

 

[shoague]

how does one know its "Trade Silver"?

 

[shoague]

neat 3 cent piece

 

[462]

how does one know its "Trade Silver"?

I don't believe, their is a definitive way to prove that it was traded to or intended to be traded to native Americans. It is similar in style and size to silver brooches that were made for the purpose of trade, during the late 1700s to early 1800s. It is possible that it's not trade silver, but instead a "Lukenbooth" brooch brought over by someone from Scotland, as a personal possession. If only the objects we dig from the ground could talk!