Trifecta of III Cent Silvers! Could it get any better?

[Elad]

I almost didn't get up this morning. Just the night before, my friend and fellow metal detector hunter Neil, asked me to get up super early (early for me, on a sat ) to do a saturday morning hunt with him and his friend Jason. I almost slept in, but after hitting snooze a few times, I decided to slap that rooster in the face! I hopped out of bed, got ready, kissed the wife goodbye, and off I went. Am I lucky I went....

It was like spring outside. Perfect blue skies for detecting in NJ. Neil picked me up and we went and met up with Jason. Jason had this spot he wanted us all to go to. He told us he had some luck with modern silver in this remote field, and wanted us all to gang hunt it and see what we could dig up.

After some really muddy backroads, we got to the field. We didn't take long to start our hunt.

About 10 minutes in I hit a 13-33 on my E-Trac. I had no idea what I was about to find. It was tiny tiny silver coin with III on it. What were the chances of finding one of these? Pretty good because... not one hour later, Neil finds another one!

Just when we thought it couldn't get any more bizzare or awesome... I find my second 3 cent piece not too far from the first one. Just amazing!

A handful of old buttons, fasterners and other relics were also found. 8)

Neil and I left early, and Jason stayed and treked on. From what I hear, he was lucky he stayed because he ended up finding a half-dime!

This is truly a field that deserves return visits, and our gratitude!

The 1851 3cent was found by Neil, the other 2 me. I wish I had a pic of the half dime Jason found, but I do not.

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

I should have known why my 3 center came in like a nickel and yours came in like silver. 1851-1853 were .750 silver and .250 copper, after that they switched to .900 silver.

Congrats again, and I love the avatar!

 

[Detectingfreak]

Nice job on the III cent coins!

 

[muleskinner]

Dang!!!!

 

[Imnengr]

I dream about finding one of those... and you guys find three. AWESOME!!

 

[pepperj]

Very high on the want list, would be a dream hunt for sure.

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

Wow you guys, great hunt !!

Neil you could have a very rare coin. Maybe one of a kind, I can't find anything about a 1/1. I'd send it into get graded for sure make sure they research the error for you.

Keep @ It and HH !!

 

[SouthJerseyJim]

Awesome find's guys!

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Wow you guys, great hunt !!

Neil you could have a very rare coin. Maybe one of a kind, I can't find anything about a 1/1. I'd send it into get graded for sure make sure they research the error for you.

Keep @ It and HH !!

I found out that what I have is known as an 1851 "Repunched 1". I cannot find any additional info on it except that it is a known Breen variety.

 

[Rickiowa2009]

wow, congratulations

 

[2bits]

Most excellent! HH

 

[MoonWalkThePlank]

Holy crap! The oldest coin I have found so far is a 1965 dime, you sir are lucky and skilled

 

[Elad]

Found out some information about these tiny coins.

Varieties.

Three major varieties exist for the series:

1. 1851 to 1853 No outline around obverse star(75% silver and 25% copper)
2. 1854 to 1858 Double outline around obverse star and olive sprigs & arrows added to reverse(90% silver)
3. 1859 to 1873 Single outline around obverse star and olive sprigs & arrows added to reverse(90% silver)

The coin was initially composed of 75% silver and 25% copper to ensure that the coin would be considered real currency yet not worth melting down for the silver. The coins were physically the lightest weight coins ever minted by the United States, weighing only 4/5 of a gram and with a diameter smaller than a modern dime and only slightly greater than the smallest gold dollars. The silver coins were known as "fishscales". The term "trimes" is often used today for these coins but that was first used by the director of the United States Mint (James Ross Snowden) at the time of their production.

The worn one I found that day, has no visible date. By using this information about the varieties, we know at least its a viariety 2, which means it could be dated anywhere form 1854 to 1858. I am currently working on getting a date using photoshop techniques. I will mess with it later and post my findings.

 

[Elad]

Very nice. Do you think you are around an old pocket spill that has been scattered by the plough?

I have a theory!

The farmer paid his absent minded workers in 3 cent pieces, which they apparently routinely lost...

 

[HCW]

Holy@#$%, that is definitely BANNER material .

 

[Iron Patch]

"Trifecta of III Cent Silvers! Could it get any better?"

Well it "could" potentially get a lot better.

The silver is nice, however it's the button that's a little more interesting to me. Are you aware the British 5th Regt. of foot who were in NY, and several other places, issued pewter buttons with a V. The V on your button isn't a match for the patterns in my book, but the fact it's pewter with a pie crust type border, and the constuction appears early, it seems to be right for that time period. Can you post closer pictures of both sides? (If it is a 1 piece pewter button)

 

[minton7]

VERY kool digs! I have yet to find or even see one of the silver 3 centers in person... WTG

 

[hikeinmts]

Banner written all over this group of finds.....and even better if the button is a rare one. Way to go, guys!!! When are
you going back to that field? Hope you find some more.

 

[fir469]

It was a spectacular day for sure!! I'm glad I stumbled onto this field and even more happy I brought buddies along to share in the wealth this site is giving up!! After they left I managed to find an 1861 Half Dime in incredible shape and also a XF++ 1859 Indian Head Cent. I returned the following day and pulled a beautiful 1863 IH and a 1887 IH. Pics to follow.

I also landed my first ever Eagle "I" Civil war infantry button and a Civil war Navy button along with about 15 other flat buttons some with snowflake designs. I also found 4 belt buckles and 3 sling buckles and 1 shoe buckle. All of the relics and coins here come out in absolutely marvelous shape. Very little in the ground to eat em up. I'm now glad to know we have a spot that will produce for years to come!!

-Jason-

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

It was a spectacular day for sure!! I'm glad I stumbled onto this field

-Jason-

Hmmm. Who suggested this as a possible good site

 

[fir469]

I did lol... you were looking across the street haha. You wanted to leave the field due to nothing good turning up, then the 3 centers rolled in LOL. Well we discussed it together I guess so I went and scouted it... you were thinkin it was gonna be a bust and it turned out incredible... Hey you guys found 3 centers at least give me the claim to finding the site hahaha.