My first Shield nickel - two sides to this story

lenmac65

Silver Member
Jul 28, 2009
2,687
8,448
Massachusetts
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Garrett AT Pro, Equinox 800 (as of 10/2019)
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… the reverse side is awesome, the obverse side, which has the date, is wiped. Still, my first Shield nickel, so I am pretty happy. It was about 10 feet from a cellar hole and came out looking good, as you can see in the photo. Also found a small, thin knee buckle at another site nearby. It is a little bent, but seems complete. It is an anchor chape style, so it is maybe 1660s to 1720s. Good luck and happy hunting!
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Silvermonkey

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Apr 24, 2013
4,650
10,405
Eastern Massachusetts
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Great finds lenmac65! It never fails that the crudded up side of the coin is always the one with the date....always. I have only ever found a few shield nickels...They are mostly in awful condition. Yours looks pretty great. The buckle is fantastic. I would very much agree with your age estimate. Nice work!
 

fishstick

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Oct 28, 2012
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7,239
Indiana
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Congratz on your 1st shield nick!! Always nice to scratch one off the list. Surprised it being the first one you've found being from Mass and all the early history there. Myself I'm really digging the buckle!! Would be killer to find something like that here in Indiana.
 

JeffInMass

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Jan 14, 2006
4,717
7,159
Cape Cod
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Way to go fellow Mass hunter for knocking that one off the bucket list- don't know if I've ever seen a better looking reverse on a found shield nickel!
 

Jason-ks

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May 2, 2012
30
26
N.E. Kansas
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Awesome day out detecting and huge congrats on your first shield nickel! I'm pretty certain that your location has a few more coins and relics to give up. Head back soon✌️
 

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lenmac65

lenmac65

Silver Member
Jul 28, 2009
2,687
8,448
Massachusetts
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Garrett AT Pro, Equinox 800 (as of 10/2019)
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Great finds lenmac65! It never fails that the crudded up side of the coin is always the one with the date....always. I have only ever found a few shield nickels...They are mostly in awful condition. Yours looks pretty great. The buckle is fantastic. I would very much agree with your age estimate. Nice work!
Thanks Silvermonkey. It certainly does seem that way with the date side of coins -very frustrating. Only my first Shield Nickel in 5 years, but I am doing better with buckles. This is my third intact buckle this year, all older varieties too. Good luck out there and I look forward to your next post.
 

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lenmac65

lenmac65

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Jul 28, 2009
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Congratz on your 1st shield nick!! Always nice to scratch one off the list. Surprised it being the first one you've found being from Mass and all the early history there. Myself I'm really digging the buckle!! Would be killer to find something like that here in Indiana.
Thanks! I don’t know why it took me five years to find one, as I have searched a lot of old dirt and they made millions of them, but better late than never. Good luck on the buckle hunt; one must be out there somewhere.
 

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lenmac65

lenmac65

Silver Member
Jul 28, 2009
2,687
8,448
Massachusetts
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Garrett AT Pro, Equinox 800 (as of 10/2019)
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Awesome day out detecting and huge congrats on your first shield nickel! I'm pretty certain that your location has a few more coins and relics to give up. Head back soon✌️
Thanks! I bet there are more finds at this spot, but it will be tough. This is the most overgrown spot I have ever detected, and the thorns are brutal.
 

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lenmac65

lenmac65

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Jul 28, 2009
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8,448
Massachusetts
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1866-1883…. I’d take any of those years. Great buckle too. Congrats 🎈
Thanks! This coin has no rays, which narrows it down a bit more. Would like to have a date, but I won’t be greedy. 😁
 

jewelerguy

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Jun 28, 2011
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Oklahoma
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the tin content in the alloy mixture turns to rust and always takes it's toll on nickels. I'd be willing to bet that yours laid in the ground with the shield side facing up where it held ground moisture longer than the side facing down which would see the moisture drain away. Many years of that action caused severe pitting. Regardless, it's cool find. I've only found one shield nickel in my life and it was worn almost completely slick on both sides.
 

Lenrac2

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Congrats on your shield nickle! At least it has one Great side! The only one I found was bad on both sides!
 

Digger RJ

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Aug 24, 2017
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… the reverse side is awesome, the obverse side, which has the date, is wiped. Still, my first Shield nickel, so I am pretty happy. It was about 10 feet from a cellar hole and came out looking good, as you can see in the photo. Also found a small, thin knee buckle at another site nearby. It is a little bent, but seems complete. It is an anchor chape style, so it is maybe 1660s to 1720s. Good luck and happy hunting!
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Very Cool!!! Excellent Shape!!! Congrats!!!
 

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