Nickel & Dimed And A Copper Plate Surprise

Sooper Dave · Nov 17, 2013

I got out for a couple of hours on Saturday evening. I got permission to hunt an old brick house that has a huge front yard. I was told that It had been detected before, so I focused on some of the remote spots to see if I could luck up on some keepers. I headed to some large trees in the front corner of the yard close to the street. I got a deep nickel signal on one side of an old tree and was a 1911 V nickel, I worked my way to the other side and dug a 1912 V. I dug up a few wheaties and then got a really nice high tone and dug up the 1917 Merc. The soil at this place is very dark and was caked on all the coins. I finished out this corner of the yard with a 1916 and a no date buffalo. I was sad to see the skeleton key was broke, it's been a while since I have dug a complete one. I didn't dig any clad, these were the only coins I dug, which is nice. I hoped to get more time here to go over the rest.

I went on a short hunt Wednesday after work and found a Rosie, some wheaties and a few odds and ends. I didn't know I had dug an Indian until I got home and cleaned my finds. I had also dug a copper plate that didn't seem like much. I brushed it off with a toothbrush but couldn't tell there was anything on it. Today as I was cleaning my nickels with an SOS pad I decided to go over the copper plate with it. The image of the man came popping out as clear as a bell, that was quite a surprise. It's hard to see in the photos but would like to know if someone can ID the time period this would have been done. HH David

wheatfinder13 · Nov 17, 2013

Very cool coins and photo

dig kzoo · Nov 18, 2013

Sweet finds!

Argentium · Nov 18, 2013

I think that plate is amazing - I've never seen one posted here or anywhere else - can't wait to learn more about it !

Damian77 · Nov 18, 2013

wow all that and not any clad.. lucky!

treblehunter · Nov 18, 2013

Great finds, nice spot. Is that plate a plate they would have used in photography in the old days? How big is it? Very interesting.

TNGUNS · Nov 18, 2013

Wow........ good hunt no doubt. Congrats :icon_thumleft:

Sooper Dave · Nov 18, 2013

treblehunter said:
Great finds, nice spot. Is that plate a plate they would have used in photography in the old days? How big is it? Very interesting.

Thanks, It is a plate with the image etched on to it. I think it is a plate for printing. It is about 1 1/4" wide by 2 1/2" long. It also has a brad or pin at each corner where it was attached to a block of wood. The back is smooth with no writing.