One of the Most AMAZING Relics I've Ever Found... And it's GOLD!!!

[FoxHound0985]

I got together with a couple buddies last night to hunt a Civil War camp that we recently discovered, and I found something completely unexpected! I was using my Garrett AT Pro with the NEL Storm coil attached to try and sniff out some really deep bullets that come out of this site. We had only been there for 20 minutes or so when I got a very deep signal that sounded like iron, but would occasionally jump into the 60s. I dug down about 7 inches and the target was still in the hole, but was now reading in the low 50s. Using the pinpointer, I located it in the hole and switched to my small digger. I popped out a chunk of dirt that contained my target. I broke open the dirt ball and I saw the bright shimmer of GOLD staring back at me!! It turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL handmade gold pin!! Well, I think it's a pin anyway... There are two spots on the back where something was once soldered. The whole thing is very nicely engraved with intricate detail in the leaves of the flowers. It's completely unmarked, but it tests between 14 and 18 karat! There is some kind of deep purple inlay in one of the flowers and the bottom of the vase. There is also a black inlay (maybe onyx?) in the square behind the vase. It amazes me to think that this could have been lost over 150 years ago! Was it given to some soldier by his sweetheart to remember her by while he was at war? Did he buy it for her and planned to give it to her when he returned? Who knows!

The rest of the hunt went well, but I couldn't top this piece. I ended up with a William's Cleaner bullet, a 3-ringer, a .31 caliber Tranter bullet, a cuff button back, and a piece of a suspender buckle. One of my buddies found a 3-ringer and two J-hooks, any the other found a William's Cleaner bullet.

Thanks for looking and HH!

PS: I apologize for the blurry closeup pics, but it's really hard to get detailed pics with a cell phone!

 

[Terry Soloman]

SUPER find - Congratulations!

 

[civilman1]

What a beautiful find!!!! I'm voting banner No doubt,gotta Love it.

 

[mindcrime1988]

That is an amazing find. Congratulations.

 

[GB1]

i'm voting banner nice find

 

[Argentium]

It does look as though the flowers were presented against a black enamel background - that has me thinking this could be " mourning jewelry " Also the underside is deep enough to have contained a small locket of hair or other memento of the deceased (typically under crystal) this particular jewelry became popular again after the death of Prince Albert in 1861-(Queen Victoria's husband)

 

[Tnmountains]

The craftsmanship is fantastic. You have to wonder if a soldier carried that to remind him of his love back home. Sure beats a Williams cleaner any day!

 

[Shakakka]

That's definitely banner from me, bud! And CONGRATS! Must be heavy as hell.

I'd lay a touch of gold leaf foil over the missing/broken flower, which would clean it up totally. Probably do the same over the flowerpot. Looks amazing as it is though. Great find!

 

[against the wind]

It's great to come home with gold,, that piece has some history.
Congratulations

 

[sandchip]

Man, that's purty!

 

[dognose]

Nice find!

Any theory on what it was for? Could it have been on a ribbon? like those on a GAR ribbon?

What is the measurements?

 

[peruna]

Incredible find ! Looks like some tiny stones are missing from their settings - though it's a longshot I might be inclined to go back to the hole and take away a 5 gallon bucket of dirt to sift or pan for the stones- not because they are valuable , just the idea of restoring as much as possible.

^this^

Presuming that these are in fact "stones" or pieces of a stone and not lacquer, it would be worth the time and trouble...regardless, it is an amazing find.

 

[BLK HOLE]

What incredible save!!

 

[ecmjamsit]

Probably silver solder

You could try polishing the black solder areas with a metal polish and a old tooth brush. Lots of silver items buried for a long time turn dark. That will show the naysayers it really is solid gold...

 

[FoxHound0985]

Thank you all so much for the comments, likes, and banner votes!! I rarely ever find anything worth posting, and this find has definitely made my year so far! I'm going to do (or at least try to do) a video tomorrow showing this pin close up and point out some interesting things about it. I haven't had a chance to weigh it yet, but it's REALLY heavy! I love this piece. Every time I look at it, I notice more intricate details that I missed before. Thanks again and HH!

 

[FoxHound0985]

It does look as though the flowers were presented against a black enamel background - that has me thinking this could be " mourning jewelry " Also the underside is deep enough to have contained a small locket of hair or other memento of the deceased (typically under crystal) this particular jewelry became popular again after the death of Prince Albert in 1861-(Queen Victoria's husband)

Argentium, I believe you are right! I looked up some other mourning pins of the era and a few were pretty close to this one. Especially with the filigree on the top and bottom.

 

[FoxHound0985]

Incredible find ! Looks like some tiny stones are missing from their settings - though it's a longshot I might be inclined to go back to the hole and take away a 5 gallon bucket of dirt to sift or pan for the stones- not because they are valuable , just the idea of restoring as much as possible.

That's a great idea! Unfortunately, I don't think I would ever be able to find that specific hole again... When I dig a plug, it goes back in almost invisible usually. I'll definitely try to find it the next time we go back though!

 

[NZ49er]

that Pin is awesome. A dropped Tranter bullet isn't too shabby of a find either.

 

[NZ49er]

that Pin is awesome. A dropped Tranter bullet isn't too shabby of a find either.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Awesome recovery. Huge congrats!!

 

[sprailroad]

Well it sure isn't AVON, what you found really does have that "WOW" factor.