Newbies First Finds

[LizB]

Newbie's First Finds

Hello everyone,

First, I would like to thank all of those who offer input and advice on this website. I think my first month of md'ing could have been long and frustrating if it wasn't for all the helpful posts I've read. I really learned a lot.

I love conducting historic reasearch and I found out my house was built around 1890 and used to be used as a public building in the 1920's so I thought my yard would be a great place to learn the basics (as suggested on this site).

I received my md a couple of weeks ago and after a few hours each week my daughter and I have found many items (and I think I have just touched the surface). I do have one question - Any suggestions on cleaning coins. I have about 15 pennies that I can not read the dates (stuff is stuck to it).

My MOST exciting finds:

1926 Mercury Dime & a sterling silver ring (Pictured below) (Any ideas on age of ring - The inside is marked "sterling")



1 Highway Token from State of NH.



Next 4 quarters, 1 dime, 1 nickel & 11 pennies (all 1960's - 1990's) (OH - & a spoon)



One interesting item - No sure what it is. Heavy granite with what looks like wire wrapped to a nail through it. I've read farmers use to attached wire to the tops of their stone walls. Anyone else have any ideas?



The best part was - it was so much fun. I loved finding the mercury dime & thinking about the person who may have lost it & how long had it been since anyone had touched it.

Hopefully I have just touched the surface and there will be a lot more finds.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[kyleeskastles]

The problem is I can not read the dates at all so I am not sure where to start in the cleaning process.

Get you a decent magnifying glass or if you got a thick pair of old reading glasses around that might suffice for now. helps me terrible eyes for just about everything, and coins. But ya i totally forgot to mention the key date thing, glad someone posted it right after me. Your regular rag with put a hurting on a good silver, but if it just a silver bag worthy coin a lil scrubbing wont hurt it. I seen a few guys mention tumblers around the forum, but i have no idea about them things or what they are even. Something that cleans is all i know. Might have to check those out myself if i ever get a decent stash in the booty chest going

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!

[Jarl]

Congrats on your finds and new found form of adventure.

 

[Michiganne]

Congrats on your first Merc, neat token and ring. You're off to a great start!

Yeah, I like to think about the last person who could have held an old coin or relic when I dig them.

HH

 

[Beepin Husker]

I seen a few guys mention tumblers around the forum, but i have no idea about them things or what they are even. Something that cleans is all i know. Might have to check those out myself if i ever get a decent stash in the booty chest going

Just a plain 'ol rock tumbler. I picked one up at the local Harbor Freight Tools store and use aquarium gravel, water and dish soap and turn it on and let 'er roll for about 12-18 hours. Silver clad with silver clad. Copper with copper (pre-1983) and zincoln with zincoln. I bought the tumbler that had 2 tubs so I can tumble 2 different kinds of coins at once. Keep em dirty, just throw them in and let the machine do the work...they turn out fabulous!!!!!

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

You are no longer a newbie.
Sad, but true.
Kudos!
Carl