War of 1812 US Infantry Button! US Box Plate! Possible 1600s Copper!

flyinryan2 · Sep 21, 2014

War of 1812 US Infantry Button! US Box Plate! Possible 1600's Copper!

Back to button hill today and once again it didn't disappoint. Found a total of 27 buttons, cuff links, script L wax seal stamp, two colonial buckles ones a neck stock buckle. A very beautiful US Infantry Button and a US Box plate. Strange because of the lack of CW relics found on the property that there would be a plate!! Also a possible William III 1690's Copper! After today this makes 130 buttons I've dug off the property, 256 total.
Hope you enjoy the pics and HH!

screwynewy · Sep 22, 2014

Amazing day you had. Enjoy it while it last because sites like that do not come around very often. Without giving away too much information can you share any history for this site? Must have been a meeting house, tavern, or some encampment.

park pirate · Sep 22, 2014

Damn nice finds, love the button..

Bill D. (VA) · Sep 22, 2014

That was an outstanding hunt Ryan - you killed it on brass! That coin looks familiar but can't place it for some reason. The large bust reminds me of a William III or W&M halfpenny, but with that raised edge it can't be one of those. Any detail visible on the back? Measuring the diameter would also be helpful.

parsonwalker · Sep 22, 2014

LOTS of good stuff. but I'm really jealous of that plate! As nice as they come . . .

Steve in PA · Sep 22, 2014

That spot just keeps giving and giving. Looking at your finds from this visit I would think you just walked into a virgin site! The US plate definitely seems out of context but I'm sure you're not complaining!

diggervet · Sep 22, 2014

that looks like a site I would camp out on for weeks and weeks and weeks! Great finds! Congratulations!!

flyinryan2 · Sep 22, 2014

Bill D. (VA) said:
That was an outstanding hunt Ryan - you killed it on brass! That coin looks familiar but can't place it for some reason. The large bust reminds me of a William III or W&M halfpenny, but with that raised edge it can't be one of those. Any detail visible on the back? Measuring the diameter would also be helpful.

Thanks Bill

There's no detail on the back, it's slick. I can measure it to find out the diameter.

SilverDreams · Sep 22, 2014

Congrats on the awesome finds!

Don in SJ · Sep 22, 2014

Bill D. (VA) said:
That was an outstanding hunt Ryan - you killed it on brass! That coin looks familiar but can't place it for some reason. The large bust reminds me of a William III or W&M halfpenny, but with that raised edge it can't be one of those. Any detail visible on the back? Measuring the diameter would also be helpful.

Bill, I am the one who said to him it is probably a William Copper, what appears to be a raised edge like on a KGI Halfpenny I believe is nothing more than the letters being mushy for wear and the William is probably one of the cast counterfeits, thus mushy letters to begin with. The ribbons screams William III and sticking with that ID. Don

Criteria for determining a William III Halfpenny

1. Ribbons are usually distinctive from any other coin

2. On the Obverse, the left side wears the least, almost always see the ribbons, left side outline of bust and some of the letters

3. Reverse is usually worn smooth or nearly so.

Those 3 things are what I use when not much else is showing on the copper.

Don

Bill D. (VA) · Sep 22, 2014

Don in SJ said:
Bill, I am the one who said to him it is probably a William Copper, what appears to be a raised edge like on a KGI Halfpenny I believe is nothing more than the letters being mushy for wear and the William is probably one of the cast counterfeits, thus mushy letters to begin with. The ribbons screams William III and sticking with that ID. Don

Criteria for determining a William III Halfpenny

1. Ribbons are usually distinctive from any other coin

2. On the Obverse, the left side wears the least, almost always see the ribbons, left side outline of bust and some of the letters

3. Reverse is usually worn smooth or nearly so.

Those 3 things are what I use when not much else is showing on the copper.

Don

I agree Don. You're right about the lettering around the periphery. Thanks for confirming. And great find Ryan!

DigIron2 · Sep 22, 2014

Sweet finds.you killed it on that one!

flyinryan2 · Sep 22, 2014

johnnyi said:
Wonderful finds. I dug a seal at a rev war site years ago very close to the one you found (is your's pink carnelian?) . It will be interesting to see the wax impression your's makes once you've cleaned it. Again, wonderful and congratulations!

Thank you!
It looks like a script L but I guess I should try it in some wax to find out lol.

Rick (Nova Scotia) · Sep 22, 2014

What a crazy place. So many good things to mention.

I agree with Steve (I think) looks like you just walked on a virgin site, not something you hunted a few times already.

Would like to see another pic of the seal. I've never got one of those or a linked set of buttons.

flyinryan2 · Sep 23, 2014

Rick (Nova Scotia) said:
What a crazy place. So many good things to mention. I agree with Steve (I think) looks like you just walked on a virgin site, not something you hunted a few times already. Would like to see another pic of the seal. I've never got one of those or a linked set of buttons.

Thanks. This was my 5th trip to the site. Keep finding little areas that are full of buttons.
I'll post a cleaned up pic of the seal later.

46Wheat · Sep 23, 2014

Thank you for sharing your hunt and those pictures with us .

CoilyGirl · Sep 23, 2014

What a dream hunt and congrats on all your wonderful finds! Your box plate looks like its in great condition too!

Ahab8 · Sep 23, 2014

Ryan great job on making the most of that incredible site! You have absolutely killed it. That's a lifetime of good recoveries for most

flyinryan2 · Sep 23, 2014

Ahab8 said:
Ryan great job on making the most of that incredible site! You have absolutely killed it. That's a lifetime of good recoveries for most

Thank you.
When I started I never thought I would ever dig a CW plate, now I have three. These buttons are amazing to dig, you've got to check every flat button you dig here because you just never know when one will be a great one!
Thanks again!