Find's Treasure Forums

Welcome to Find's Treasure Forums, Guests!

You are viewing this forums as a guest which limits you to read only status.

Only registered members may post stories, questions, classifieds, reply to other posts, contact other members using built in messaging and use many other features found on these forums.

Why not register and join us today? It's free! (We don't share your email addresses with anyone.) We keep email addresses of our users to protect them and others from bad people posting things they shouldn't.

Click here to register!



Need Support Help?

Cannot log in?, click here to have new password emailed to you

Changed email? Forgot to update your account with new email address? Need assistance with something else?, click here to go to Find's Support Form and fill out the form.

Big old silver in the bean field

C&RHunter

Active member
During my shelter at home time, I did some research for old home/cabin sites. I used Historic Mapworks and brought up the 1877 County Atlas for the area that I have hunted arrowheads for more years than I will say. Since I am familiar with the small river bottom fields there, using the atlas and google earth I can get a good idea of where the locations of the old structures should be. I saw that in the 1800s the old road used to go south along the east side of the field, but was relocated about a half mile to the west in the 1930s-40s. I imagine that is when the structure was removed and any foundation stones removed. The atlas showed a home about a quarter mile down the east side of the field, so Monday I went out to the bean field. The beans are about 5”-6” tall so I still have some time to hunt. (I have had permission for many years to be on the property) Locating the site was easy, as there were pieces of cork top bottles, dishes, crocks, etc scattered in an area about 250’ in diameter. Monday, during my 3 hour hunt, I found lots of bits and pieces of nonferrous and ferrous items. I did find three Fitz overall buttons that date from the 1930s and an aluminum Palmolive-Peet Company token for a free cake of Crystal White Laundry Soap from the 1920s. Nothing to get excited about for sure.

It was supposed to rain Monday night and Tuesday, but that never happened. About mid-day, I had this relenting feeling that I needed to go back and give it another shot, so away I went. I had only been there 10-15 minutes, and was still going down the first rows of beans, when I got a signal that sounded good, kind of, if you know what I mean. I criss-crossed the signal, to find the center, and then cut a about a six inch plug. I scanned it but the target was still in the hole, so I used the pinpointer and the target was in the side of the hole. I cut that out, and I couldn’t believe what it was. A totally unexpected find, an 1854 O Seated Half. I saw the eagle on the back first, and thought it might be a Spanish coin. But when I turned it over I saw the seated Lady! The half was about 4”-5” down and must have been tipped in the ground is why the signal was okayish. The coin is holed and nicked on the edge, but as far as wear very little if any. Not bad for large silver coin that has been in a farm field that has been plowed, disked, plated, and chiseled for 160 years or so. (I may have scuffed it but don’t think so.) I recovered other typical items from the 1800s over the next 2-1/2 hours, before I gave it up for the day. I will return!

I was using the Nox 800, Field 2, 5 tones, 15 khz, recovery speed 5, and iron bias 4.
 

Attachments

  • 1854 O Half Dollar.jpg
    1854 O Half Dollar.jpg
    228.5 KB · Views: 223
  • Finds 6-08 and 09- 2020.JPG
    Finds 6-08 and 09- 2020.JPG
    858.8 KB · Views: 225
  • Half find in field.JPG
    Half find in field.JPG
    2.3 MB · Views: 229
  • 1854 Half Front in field.jpg
    1854 Half Front in field.jpg
    779.5 KB · Views: 212
Your research truly paid off for you!! Congratulations on the beautiful seated half!!
 
That research paid off for you indeed!!
That half is in great condition and the hole gives it character... I don’t think it was circulated long before it was lost either from the looks of it.... very nice save!!👍
 
That's very nice indeed. good for you
 
Awesome silver....your settings are almost identical to what I often use in farm fields...being a long time arrowhead picker you should have a good idea of other fields that have potential.. the threaded brass piece appears to be a reign guide..
 
Awesome silver....your settings are almost identical to what I often use in farm fields...being a long time arrowhead picker you should have a good idea of other fields that have potential.. the threaded brass piece appears to be a reign guide..
Thank you. Im still hoping to find more coins there. If that half was on a string, it might have had others with it. ..When ever I'm out in the fields, during hunting season or whatever, I am always on the lookout for the signs of a home location: broken dishes or glass, large stones that have no reason to be in that location, etc.. I have located sites from observation, that were not indicated on the old atlas maps. Thanks for the ID on the rein guide.
 
I also watch for glass shards. I have found the site of an 1870s store that is in a bean field. Should be interesting hunting! You have done a fantastic job on your research! Congrats!
 
Seated halves for all! It’s INCREDIBLE how many are popping up lately, and it’s a sign of people looking in the RIGHT PLACES most of the time anyway....that’s a dandy CR! Ya might want to go BACK!
 
Real nice find love big silver! Still looking for a seated half !
Mark
 
Awesome find. I absolutely love those seated coins. Finding a big one is certainly special. :thumbup: Research + patience + persistence = success. And you just proved that once again. :please: Nicely done. HH Randy
 
Top