A Couple Firsts and Assorted Oddities

KantoDave · May 11, 2013

I often go door knocking on the weekends in the old section of town. I can typically just handle 3 or 4 "no" responses before I give up and go home or go back to the same parks I've pounded time and again.

Last weekend I scored a big yard and was told I could come back anytime. So I did. Below are my keepers after three separate hunts (3, 1.5, and 1.5 hours respectively). Of course some of that was talking with the very chatting home owner. He cleaned me out in clad the first day, but let me keep everything after that. I always find it so strange when owners take my hard earned pocket change.

I found 2 firsts in this yard. I found my first "V" nickel (which I forgot to put in the total picture), and my first gold earring. I also found my oldest coin to date, an 1891 Indian, which put off a very strange signal. I probably miss a ton of them. Only my 3rd Indian ever.

ID help on the large metal ball? ID help on the Ford key's age? Also the spoon says "Silver Plate." Any ID on value?

Diggin Funatic · May 11, 2013

Looks like a great place to hunt! Definitely worth surrendering the first hunt's clad. Congrats!

HighFlyer · May 11, 2013

I'd happily turn over the clad for those silvers, Indian, and V!

HullGuitars · May 12, 2013

Nice condom tin! Offer that to the home owner!

BB_in_Maine · May 12, 2013

Wow, that soil is kind to Indians! Amazing condition... Congrats on all the silvers and the condom tin is a laughable, but cool find - just found my first 3 Merry Widows a couple weeks back...

If I'm not mistaken, that 'Fifty Cents' version is one of the older ones, if not the first....

big r · May 12, 2013

Nice spot! Congrats.

Swinglow · May 12, 2013

Lol at asking for the clad.

abbynormal · May 12, 2013

Great hunt! I love finding Indian Heads. I don't know what you are seeing on the AT Gold but the AT Pro sometimes shows them as more of a brass signal, like 68-72, but it's usually steady. I dig anything steady in that range as I've found some cool brass artifacts.
Congrats also on having the courage to go knock on the doors and ask. That is not an easy thing to do.

Seven · May 12, 2013

Looks like you found a great location. You leg work paid off.

KantoDave · May 12, 2013

bb_in_maine said:
Wow, that soil is kind to Indians! Amazing condition... Congrats on all the silvers and the condom tin is a laughable, but cool find - just found my first 3 Merry Widows a couple weeks back... If I'm not mistaken, that 'Fifty Cents' version is one of the older ones, if not the first....

It was by far the best condition penny I've pulled out of the ground pre-1950's. The dirt just clings to the others, even after a toothbrush, hot water, and soap. When I pulled it out of the ground there was so much dirt on it, I could only tell it was a indian by looking at the back. I'm ashamed to say I nicked the top right edge when I pulled it out. I used a spit shine and my gloves to get most of the dirt off. I know that's poor form but I couldn't wait till I got home to know the date.

KantoDave · May 12, 2013

abbynormal said:
Great hunt! I love finding Indian Heads. I don't know what you are seeing on the AT Gold but the AT Pro sometimes shows them as more of a brass signal, like 68-72, but it's usually steady. I dig anything steady in that range as I've found some cool brass artifacts.
Congrats also on having the courage to go knock on the doors and ask. That is not an easy thing to do.

I think you're right, I remember it being something I typically don't dig. I always pull out old 7up screw caps or the like at that range. I only dug it because I was scoring so many keepers. No telling how many i've passed up. I'll take all my indians with me next time and do a test to see what they ring up for future reference.

KittyInChico · May 12, 2013

KantoDave said:
It was by far the best condition penny I've pulled out of the ground pre-1950's. The dirt just clings to the others, even after a toothbrush, hot water, and soap. When I pulled it out of the ground there was so much dirt on it, I could only tell it was a indian by looking at the back. I'm ashamed to say I nicked the top right edge when I pulled it out. I used a spit shine and my gloves to get most of the dirt off. I know that's poor form but I couldn't wait till I got home to know the date.

My husband put together one of these http://www.restorationplace.typepad.com/restoration_place/2008/03/diy-electrolysi.html for cleaning up coins. Do it outside though on your porch because it can produce toxic gasses. He did this as well for a blackened silver ring he found in the water and it's shiny new now. The only thing it didn't work on was a black quarter that had been exposed to some kind of chemical.

Hook · May 12, 2013

congrats on some good digs!

louiefinch · May 12, 2013

Cool Finds! The ford key is an ignition key to a model T which were manufactured from 1909 through 1927.

Captain Silver · May 12, 2013

Congrats on the V nickel, the Indian and the silvers...Nice digging!

Dirtfishn350 · May 12, 2013

Congrats. on the silvers, love the old FORD key!

mrbks22 · May 13, 2013

Congrats on a great hunt. I haven't been finding much in the older yards I've been hunting lately. Probably been hit hard before. I'll keep trying though because I'm sure I'll find a good one like you did!

Pacivilwarluke · May 13, 2013

That ball could just be a big ball bearing or a mill ball. Nice old coins that Indian is crazy! :shock:

A Couple Firsts and Assorted Oddities

KantoDave

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