Unusual Colonial Button with Gem and a Semi Key Date Indian with Repunched Date

West Jersey Detecting · Nov 30, 2010

First of all, welcome back TNet! I know I am not alone in saying it was not easy getting by without it!

I have not done much detecting, except a bit here and there. On one of these outings I had an hour at dusk while waiting to pick up my son at the movie theater. I hit a very hard hit site and dug an unusual suspender buckle, and then I got a twist top type of signal at 0 inches. I pushed aside some dust and was surprised to see an Indian Head on the surface. It turns out to be an 1869 with a repunched 186! I am not familiar with the Breen varieties, but I think it is a scarce variety.

Then one day last week I returned to the field that has produced more than 200 buttons and a dozen coppers and some Spanish Silver. The signals are getting very sparse now, and there are many deep bits of iron. I dug many of these questionable signals and one turned out to be an awesome button (more than 10 inches deep) with a gemstone. I have never seen one like it before. The backmark on top says GILT, but I cannot tell if the bottom one is just a design or if I just cannot make out the mark. Any ID help is appreciated!

Welcome back TNet!

jamesbibb · Nov 30, 2010

Neat button Neil WTG

pro778 · Nov 30, 2010

It always amazing how you find old coins right on the surface and clad down 10 inches. I can't believe what great shape that indian is in. You've really been on a roll lately. HH

Potter Poker · Nov 30, 2010

Nice finds Neil, more history dug up. :hello2:

Elad · Nov 30, 2010

Neil, tearing it up again! I am curious, what lead you to the theory that the button is colonial? Not saying you're wrong, just curious.

Also, did you end up getting an ID on that large cent you dug on our last team hunt? I still haven't ID'd the one I found that day, for I plan to send it away to get cleaned professionally. Yes, the anticipation is killing me!

West Jersey Detecting · Nov 30, 2010

Elad said:
Neil, tearing it up again! I am curious, what lead you to the theory that the button is colonial? Not saying you're wrong, just curious.

Also, did you end up getting an ID on that large cent you dug on our last team hunt? I still haven't ID'd the one I found that day, for I plan to send it away to get cleaned professionally. Yes, the anticipation is killing me!

It is colonial or more likely "post colonial" (1770's to early 1800) based on the shank, which is an "alpha" shank. Alpha shanks are shaped like the Greek letter Alpha. Similar to Omega shanks, but without the typical Omega feet. Omega shanks are soldered onto the back of flat disc buttons leaving "feet" which are slightly raised. Omega shanks are post 1800.

As I originally suspected, the "Large Cent" was not a large cent at all, but a toasted colonial. It was too thin and the VDI was a bit too low for a large cent. It may be another Irish Halfpenny, but it is too far gone to know for sure.