My first silver coin could make you cry

[pakeha63]

Hello all,

I've been detecting for about 5 months now, and have dug almost $450.00 in clad coins gold rings, silver rings, but no silver coins
Well today was my day. Put on a 6" Excelerator coil on my Minelab SE Pro, and off I went to the parks. I targeted 3 parks dating from the 1800's, hoping to dig a silver. Found almost $12.00 in clad, but these parks just didn't want to give up what I was looking for. It was getting a little frustrating too, as these parks were riddled with screw caps. First park, I decided to leave after a group of shady looking guys(10) started to congregate. Second park, my detector was singing a song to me all the time because of the large amount of screwcaps(they call this wino park here in Stockton). So I went to the third. Was pulling coins all over the place. Ever had that feeling someone is watching you? Sure enough this strange guy was nearby. He leaves, and comes back with a buddy, and they follow me everywhere I go. That was my time to leave.
Decided to hit a newer park just to find coins. Got a strong quarter signal, and started digging. Dug my plug, used my pinpointer- no signal Ran my detector over again, and it was still there. Dug down to about six inches, and out the coin pops. I looked, and thought this coin is extremely large for a quarter, and noticed the edge didn't have the copper line on the rim. Hooray!!, a silver half dollar 1954 Franklin. I couldn't believe it. I carefully wrapped it in tissue, and put it in my pocket. Went home.
When i was washing it under water, with a soft toothbrush, my heart sank as I could see I had got it with my digger
I'm sad, but I'm happy- my first silver is a half dollar.
Happy hunting everyone.

 

[Nullers]

Grats on the big silver

 

[Joe Hoo?]

YOUR A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF PATIENCE.... CONGRATS ON THE SILVER AND MANY MORE TO COME

 

[mlayers]

Well ou did alright on your hunts. Lots of clad which help pays for everything that you need plus you got your bonus a silver half now they will start popping out like crazy. keep on hunting and stay safe...Matt

 

[hikeinmts]

Good hunt!!! Smart hunter.....whenever the shadows/shadowy ones begin to follow, it is time to pack it up, and head for some place else.
Another day, another dollar.
I think I caught that you are from Stockton. My daughter and son-in-law lived there about 2 - 3 years ago. I visited them several times, and went detecting at least once in a couple of the parks. And I think I was in one of the parks that you mentioned......bottle caps, wine caps galore.....sometimes would dig them 2 or 3 out of the same hole. But, it really looked nice, some old, old trees, etc.
Have you went out to the small military post just outside of Stockton? I can't remember the name of it. When my kids moved, they moved there....he was in the military at the time. I never visited them, but all the barracks that I saw in pics they sent me were WWII construction.
You might get into some good, smaller silver if you can get permission to hunt there. I did go there once, to see about getting some meds, and if I remember right, there was no security guard looking at IDs.....let me know if you do any hunting there......and I can drool over what I might have found.
Keep up the great hunting....

 

[DrJoePrime]

Congrats!

A nice BIG Silver to start with...Great!


HH Joe

 

[Jack(IN)]

My first silver coin was a Walking Liberty Half!! Congrats on a great coin and we all have a scratch on a coin here or there!! Still a sweet find for a first silver!!

 

[Fish-Gate]

Congrats! The first silvers that I found were always Rosie dimes. For a while, I thought I couldn't find anything else. And it took me a very long time to find a Franklin for some reason. Great work!

 

[rjw4law]

I used to hit Stockton when i lived there. Try some dumpster diving when the University lets out every spring. You would be amazed at what the kids through away!

 

[Twin Digger]

Alway see them on here at t-net but still searchiing for my first silver coin..

Nice find. The ground is still Rock hard here in Minnesota. I got out for about an half a hour. My digger was bending on my first hit. It was a penny just a 1/4" under. I'll have to wait another week if the temps stay in the high 30's.

Nice find.

 

[girardpaguy]

You must be proud. I would be.

Awesome dig dude.

w2g

 

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

Wow,

Awesome first silver coin, mine was a Rossie. Since then I have found Seated, Barber, dimes Washington quarters all kinds of silver coins but.... I have never dug a Silver Half Dollar or Silver Dollar!!

Good job!

Keep @ it and HH!!

 

[Nate in Ohio]

Nice! Still haven't found a Franklin half. And it coulda been worse regarding the nick...you could have gashed it accross the face. Congrats, I'd see if more older stuff isn't around there.

 

[JP]

Congrats on finding a nice half dollar. Don't feel bad about the scratch, it happends to all of us. I found a Walking Half, that I put a little ding on it, a few years ago and some expert on here told me to learn to pin point and that won't happen. I had written that I believed it was just another piece of wire, there was no reason to believe that a nice coin was down there, so I wasn't digging with care. But, I've also dinged other coins (thank God clad) that I thought I had pin pointed well.

If you found one there, there might be more. Good luck and post some pics.

Again, don't feel bad about the scratch, not even that noticeable. It still looks good. Congrats....

 

[pakeha63]

Thanks everyone for the great comments- I feel better now. Lesson learned. I think if my Garrett pinpointer wasn't malfunctioning I would have targeted it a lot better. Not to freak anybody out on the Garrett pinpointer, it's just that mine has lost it's vibration capabilities, and I can hardly hear it through my headphones. FYI. I did have my headphones off for this one. Garrett wants me to send it back for a free replacement. Have to admit, this pinpointer is the best I've ever had, I think mine may be worn out from all them clad coins I got.

 

[kuger]

Nice find!!!That happens,at least it wasnt a gold coin!!!

 

[UTcoinshootR]

Very nice first silver. Mine was the typical rosie dime, so that half is really cool. i scratched my dime too btw. As far as the weirdos go, I pack a gun. Its concealed, but if I feel like I'm being watched I'll "adjust it" in my wasteband. Seems to instantly repel scum. Just throwin it out there. GL

 

[coltdavis]

Awesome find! and to have it be your first silver to cool

 

[halfdime]

Congrats on the Ben, especially for your first silver! That nick isn't so bad; at least it's on the rim and not a nose job . None of the Franklins are real valuable anyway, though I suspect you'll be keeping this one!

 

[Schrecky]

Well thats not to bad of a scratch and if your like me it might be the last one you scratch. The first IH I found was a beaut but I really gouged it. After that I was much more careful on pinpointing and watching the depth readings before I dig. Haven't signed one since.

 

[extractor]

wtg!!