Penny for your thoughts...well maybe not THIS penny

[Dragonscaletattoo]

Took a break from detecting for a few years and decided this spring to get back into it with a good friend. One of
the first coins this year was this low mintage 1804 Large Cent, possibly underwater for over 200 years!
What is neat about this find is that the coins were about 2 feet apart in the same flowing stream about a foot down.
One came up with great detail and the other encrusted and corroded away. The lock was nearby and is said to be
of British make. Upon finding
this stuff there was various flailing about, hopping and even some fern licking.

 

[vpnavy]

Super finds Dragonscaletattoo. Thanks for sharing...

 

[pong12211]

Great find.. That's an awesome coin.. Thanks for sharing and congrats on the success..

 

[TheCoinKid]

Super find. Any idea on what accounts for the difference in condition of the two coins? Something obviously shielded/protected the 1804.

 

[Dragonscaletattoo]

All I can think of is that the angle at which they laid in the sandy gravel of the stream bed had something to do with it. Even the condition of the coins at the time they went in. Maybe one had some type of substance on it that protected or eroded it more. I was blown away at the detail left on that thing.

 

[McClod]

Amazing finds! Just think, Lewis and/or Clark may have held or dropped that coin, depending where found of course, but its fun to think of the history that was happening at that time! Can't wait to find out what its graded as! Congrats!

PS: What is "fern licking"?? Must of been very excited !

 

[Dragonscaletattoo]

Fern licking is where you are so excited you drop to your knees and lick the nearest plant life..in this case a fern. Luckily there wasn't a poison ivy patch instead.

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[Chuxter]

Wow! The detail on that coin is incredible! What's your prediction on the grade?

 

[Dragonscaletattoo]

I suppose i'm hoping for F or VF but like i said i will let that to the pros hehe. It does have some corrosion but a lot of the fine lines are there which I think will push it up on the scale a bit. Very happy I had the big shovel that day (i like to take big scoops so there's less of a chance of damaging whatever i'm digging out)

 

[lab rat]

Awesome find! (But I think I'd keep the fern licking to myself...)

One thing about grading, I understand most graders won't grade a weathered coin, even if it is in really nice shape. Let us know how it goes?

 

[McClod]

LOL. Poison ivy tongue and lips suck!

 

[Dragonscaletattoo]

Nah they'll just give it a "details" grade, listing corrosion or environmental damage on the capsule, along with the regular grade.