UPDATE: today I went back out after work and covered the driveway and and old wagon trail ( there are many acres). I first pulled some 1940's & 50's relics, some older relics, buttons/ part of a pin or broach. Then I focussed on these 2 areas. They paid off...giving up a couple of nice finds that confirm I am on the right ground.
The Indian head looks like it was dropped the day it was minted. 1890, so I can suspect there was activity here around that decade. Then I got to the wagon trail and the nox hit 26 right by the side of the trail by a rock wall. it was indicating shallow... 4".. but as soon as i dug the shovel into hard pack dirt that fought me for 2", I knew it was old, whatever it was. just about 5" down was the large cent. It was a great way to end the day!
Unfortunately, the date is gone as far as I can tell, and I don't think anything I can do will increase its visibility. The good part is, this is my first large 1 cent piece! ( previously pulled a 1/2cent, 1832, but never a full large cent) I'll check it off the list.
Also, somewhere in the 1900s the place hosted a real cowboy of a kid who wasn't too careful with his tools... so far I have logged 4 toy handguns of all varieties.
Long story short, 3 hours of strategic, quick paced, high discrimination swinging with the nox has given some insight to the lay of the land, specifically, the areas that have seen modern traffic and those that haven't. My next step will be mapping out the historic aerial views with what was found and where.... and connecting the dots. I'll probably pull out the 15" coil and take a day or 2 off.
I will be sure to keep you all posted with additional interesting finds. Any feedback, especially from you more experienced folks is appreciated. ( any chance of me determining that large cent date?...
( haven't attempted any cleaning aside from rubbing off dirt dry with my thumb, and a little tooth-picking on the Indian.
Only logged 10 hours at this site so far, so hopefully more to come...
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Even very worn reales are excellent finds; the condition doesn't alter the historic significance. (If our finds could talk, the fact that yours is worn just means that it would likely have more stories to tell. 
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