1784 half reale

[Tom_in_CA]

Got out on Sunday with a buddy here in CA. First stop was a location that an old 1859 map showed as a habitation site. Meaning that some activity was there *at least* by 1859. And a 1910s topo map of the area, showed a black dot (structure) was there in the 1910s. And then the next topo map date is mid 1940s, and no dot is shown (thus gone by the 1940s). And a little bit of history knowledge of this particular area led me to believe it was dozed over the cliff by about 1940.

So we were essentially going to hunt what you east coast guys would call a "cellar hole" site. A probable single family concern (as opposed to stage stop or something that necessarily entertained passer-bys). But intriguing enough that we had to go give it a try.

We ended up with typical frontier homestead knicknacks. Like rimfire shells, harmonica reeds, etc.... My buddy got an 1854 p seated quarter . Quite worn, so probably an 1880s loss. I got a Chinese cash coin, and this interesting Civil war veterans medal . Anyone have any info on this ?

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Next stop was an "old faithful" spot, that we've hammered hard over the years. In past years it's given up lots of reales and early seateds, a bust, 2 gold coins (a $10 and a $5), lots of phoenix buttons, etc.... I haven't been back here for a few years, since it had gotten "stingy" . But we wanted to give it another whirl.

I ended up with an 1845 P dime and a 1784 half reale. And a few flat buttons (one gilt and one plain). My buddy got 2 gilt buttons. And we each got the obligatory "green copper", pistol ball, a few rimfires, etc... Fun fun !

And no, if you're thinking of asking, we did not get any LC's. Those are SO BORING after all. I mean, seriously now, wouldn't you rather have an 1845 dime instead of an 1845 LC ? And wouldn't you rather have a 1784 half reale than a boring 1784 colonial copper ? I mean, shucks, it only stands to reason, right ?

 

[Cherry Picker]

Next stop was an "old faithful" spot, that we've hammered hard over the years. In past years it's given up lots of reales and early seateds, a bust, 2 gold coins (a $10 and a $5), lots of phoenix buttons, etc.... I haven't been back here for a few years, since it had gotten "stingy" . But we wanted to give it another whirl.

I ended up with an 1845 P dime and a 1784 half reale. And a few flat buttons (one gilt and one plain). My buddy got 2 gilt buttons. And we each got the obligatory "green copper", pistol ball, a few rimfires, etc... Fun fun !

And no, if you're thinking of asking, we did not get any LC's. Those are SO BORING after all. I mean, seriously now, wouldn't you rather have an 1845 dime instead of an 1845 LC ? And wouldn't you rather have a 1784 half reale than a boring 1784 colonial copper ? I mean, shucks, it only stands to reason, right ?

Killer coin Tom. I can only dream of a 1700s here in Kansas. But you never know.

 

[CharlieT84]

Congrats Tom. Some nice finds there!

 

[Buellride]

Dang Tom, you are making me want to travel back south to the "bay area" and mess around down there...super awesome locations you sleuth out and even better finds as a result of your research.

 

[LovestheShiny!]

Very nice EARLY goodies!

 

[Dave_e]

Fantastic Grand Army of the Republic medal Tom! I found one a few years ago here in Ohio.
Check the rim for a serial # you may be able to use to figure out what year it was issued!

Grand Army of the Republic Wiki

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Fantastic Grand Army of the Republic medal Tom! I found one a few years ago here in Ohio.
Check the rim for a serial # you may be able to use to figure out what year it was issued!

Grand Army of the Republic Wiki

Bingo ! Thanx Dave !!

 

[markinswpa]

Next stop was an "old faithful" spot, that we've hammered hard over the years. In past years it's given up lots of reales and early seateds, a bust, 2 gold coins (a $10 and a $5), lots of phoenix buttons, etc.... I haven't been back here for a few years, since it had gotten "stingy" . But we wanted to give it another whirl.

I ended up with an 1845 P dime and a 1784 half reale. And a few flat buttons (one gilt and one plain). My buddy got 2 gilt buttons. And we each got the obligatory "green copper", pistol ball, a few rimfires, etc... Fun fun !

And no, if you're thinking of asking, we did not get any LC's. Those are SO BORING after all. I mean, seriously now, wouldn't you rather have an 1845 dime instead of an 1845 LC ? And wouldn't you rather have a 1784 half reale than a boring 1784 colonial copper ? I mean, shucks, it only stands to reason, right ?

I'm with Dave e on the Grand Army of the Republic medal. Outstanding find ! A bucketlister for sure. Highlight of the hunt IMO. Congrats to you and your buddy on the old silvers and other cool relics. Good luck. Mark

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I'm with Dave e on the Grand Army of the Republic medal. Outstanding find ! A bucketlister for sure. Highlight of the hunt IMO. Congrats to you and your buddy on the old silvers and other cool relics. Good luck. Mark

You got a good point. Have you ever noticed that, whenever persons come to your house (Christmas party, or relatives over for a visit, etc ....), and you "break out the display cabinets" to show your stuff, that the following phenomenon happens :

You go to show them key date old coins, and the interest is lack-luster ho-hum. But then you point out a horse shoe, a star medallion, a bell, etc.... THEN they brighten up with interest. Ie.: the things that conjur up the C.W., or the wild wild west, etc.... I have even had to keep drawing attention back to my gold coins, saying "look at this ", but the person remains riveted on the relic stuff.

So in a way, yes : The relic stuff (even if not necessarily more valuable than coins), is actually the fun stuff.

 

[Jamflicker]

Awesome finds Tom. Love the variety and seeing the 1700's and early 1800's coins. That GAR medal is Awesome. I found one several years ago. Thanks for sharing and keeping my hopes alive of finding a 1700's reale here in California.

 

[aj0421]

Congrats Tom, tho I am not sure how a lone reale escaped from here on the east coast. Lies?

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Congrats Tom, tho I am not sure how a lone reale escaped from here on the east coast. Lies?

Well the reale came north from Mexico . During our west coast Spanish/Mexican period. So neener neener.

As for the 1845 P dime and 1854 P quarter, those did indeed escape from the east coast, and crossed the Mississippi. And ...... no you can't have them back. Tsk tsk

 

[FliesOnly]

1700s!! Nice. I'm sure that there are probably one or two 1700s coins here in Michigan, but finding them will be quite the chore. But then, I guess that's the fun part, eh? Congrats are some pretty awesome finds.

 

[MasonDixonMding]

You guys had a great hunt. Congrats
It does amaze me how much silver you find out there.

So in a way, yes : The relic stuff (even if not necessarily more valuable than coins), is actually the fun stuff.

All of the great finds that I have found my favorite is two worthless relics from a 1800s school house. The one is a eraser top to a pencil and the other is a broken children’s scissors. You just never know what you will find and what puts a smile on your face.

 

[volksbeetle28]

Congrats on those great finds! Killer day!

 

[teotwawki12]

It's not your turn to show the gold coin all you California guys pass around and pretend you "found" every other month?

 

[hoser]

Good going Tom. I'll never see one of those here and I'm ok with that. Ya'll did great.

 

[itsaring!]

Tom you may need to answer the door with gold coins in your eyes? Unless your friends are Vikings, as that will scare the Carp out of them.

 

[deeper]

I’m always impressed with your great research! Way to go!!!