Several oldies and a whatsit.

NJ Garrett · Apr 10, 2015

Hey all!

I managed to get out after work today and found a few oldies and goodies.

Starting at 11 o'clock, going clockwise....
First, another British halfpenny. 1741, I think. Good shape on the front.
Next, my very first Indian Head penny 1903. So proud to have found this!
Next, a gigantic thing. I suspect that it's a button. Nice design on the front. Nothing on the back. IF anyone has an idea what this is, please let me know.
Finally, my very first large cent. Yay! It's a beauty. Scrappy was just telling me that I'd find one! He is visionary!

I found another Indian head penny, but I couldn't get a date on it. I'm working on it now. I suspect it's an 1877 (lol).

Of course, I also found a variety of other items. A humongous silver plated spoon, and a very old lock (I think). There's also a fragment of something that had a very nice design on it. Looks like the letters OBO on it. Any ideas, just let me know.

Great day. I love being out there!

Kevin

bonepicker · Apr 10, 2015

Interesting finds. Nice injun and LC. The LC eludes me, when I get one it will prob be worn slick. Got my first SLQ the other day and you could barely tell what it was.
OBO Looks like pottery, artists intials?

relicmeister · Apr 10, 2015

You sure had a great day!

Evolution · Apr 10, 2015

That's a piece of an old crotal bell you have there. The OBO is the makers mark. Nice finds. :thumbsup:

Evolution · Apr 10, 2015

Actually I think the two o's are just for design. I'm pretty sure the B stands for Barton. The Barton's were bell makers in the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Evolution · Apr 10, 2015

CRUSADER · Apr 11, 2015

Evolution said:
That's a piece of an old crotal bell you have there. The OBO is the makers mark. Nice finds.

Yeap, Crotal Bell, but the 'B' is part of the makermark & the 'o' are decor.

CRUSADER · Apr 11, 2015

Evolution said:
Actually I think the two o's are just for design. I'm pretty sure the B stands for Barton. The Barton's were bell makers in the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Oh, I didn't read the whole thread...lol

Iron Patch · Apr 11, 2015

Your halfpenny is probably not 1741 as it's the one year they did not make em.

Counterfeits exist, but are quite rare, and your coin does not have the look of one of those. But since your indian head is 1877, then maybe you do have the very elusive 1741!

NJ Garrett · Apr 11, 2015

Thanks for the feedback guys! That crotal bell pic is awesome. Perfect match!

Thanks bonepicker for the info on the halfpenny dates. I will see if I can make out any numbers. That area of the coin is worn a bit... If you have suggestions for how to bring out relief on these coins, I'd love to hear it! I've heard olive oil soak helps, but takes a long time.

I did an olive oil treatment on the mystery indian head penny last night, and it did help. I can now clearly see that it's an indian head. Still can't see a date.

Any ideas on this big button with one hole in it, and the starburst in the middle? It's a strange item. It thought it was a coin at first, but it's very thin, and no coin markings on it. I suspect it's a button, but very strange that there's no evidence of a shank....and a hole in it (that's off-center).

Kev