Persistence pays off!

[HoosierDiggin']

Working the fields of iron finally yielded a silver! Been working the old ghost town from 1830's to 1870's. 153 platted lots of which a little over half were occupied. All cabins were burned to ground when vacated and nothing remains but woods and fields. Finally gained permission early this spring for a grass field that was home to at least two cabins. The adjacent field had 2 home sites and a blacksmith shop which has yielded several large cents and a boat load of relics, buttons. I try to hunt in and around planting and harvest. This new permission I have been to 3-4 times including a day with another TN'er member and we found nothing. Knowing what I found just over the fence line, this field had to hold some goodies. The grass was baled yesterday and I had an itch and hunted for a couple hrs. Going super slow with a smaller coil has proven effective in the past. The iron here was worse than the other side. Just a bit of advice for new folks.....tell yourself to go slow and investigate every mid and high tone blips from multiple angles. And when you slow down in the iron, push yourself to go even slower. This is usually what I do in massive iron infested sites, and it pays off. I got a high tone blip. Circled it and then from one angle got a lock on the half dime, iron audio is on. I swear, it was the most distinct, crisp sound my machine had ever made. When I turned the dirt my first though was a washer. It wasn't. You just don't find 180 year old coins in my area. This town, as a matter of fact, was one of the very first to be settled in the County. I was excited and this to me is what makes the hobby. Persistence pays off eventually. It's not about monetary value of the things found, the payoff is the satisfaction I get knowing the research is "validated". Some folks out East seem to find old stuff every time out, we just don't in Indiana, but when you do, it makes you young again and wanting to get back out ASAP. Here are some pics for you.

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[sugarcreek]

Persistence is right up there no doubt. I have found some neat stuff by sticking it out a little longer...

 

[kingskid1611]

Wonderful persistence. Nice finds!

 

[dgrs2]

The half dime is pretty valuable. Numis has it listed G@$161. Nice find.


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[Tuberale]

From my perspective, a pretty great hunt day. Congratulations!

 

[HoosierDiggin']

I'm not a collector "per say" of coins. I mean, a collector of the things I find, yes, but not knowledgable in the area that "coin collectors" have. Did that make sense? Lol. Anyways, I did read up on it and found that this half dime is a more collectible version due to the coin not having the Stars. Learning about our finds after the hunt is another element added to what makes the hobby fun too.


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[Captain Caveman]

Congratz on a New Orleans mint Half Dime! The 1837 Philadelphia mint and the 1838-O were the only two half dimes minted only as Type I, meaning no stars. Curiously, the 1838 Philadelphia mint was minted only as Type II.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Very well done! Those are really nice old coins. It is good to see research and persistence pay dividends.

 

[tanz 82]

Nice

 

[DFW_THer]

I'm dying for a no stars variety! Great coin!!!!

 

[can]

very nice finds

 

[Calabash Digger]

nice finds! I know that sound the pro makes on silver its very distinct.

 

[ARC]

Congrats on a killer day.
Well done.

 

[trapperart]

Great job congrats on some very nice finds

 

[testing123]

The half dime is pretty valuable. Numis has it listed G@$161. Nice find.


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beautiful coin! I wouldn't use price guides for a valuation though. Better bet is checking completed auction history at eBay for similar-looking coins. Plus, price guides try to value problem-free coins at full retail.

 

[david680]

Nice finds! What part of the Hoosier state are you from?

 

[xr7ator]

The best 5cents I've seen in some time. Still on my wish list. Grats to ya and thanks for taking the time to share. HH ALL

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Sweet! Congrats!
Not easy pulling silver from the "fields of iron".

 

[WildWildBill]

1838 New Orleans no stars half dime is a pretty tough snatch! Awesome find! Only other no stars half dimes are 1837 small date, and 1837 large date. I'd keep hitting that site for sure.

 

[CASPER-2]