I finally found the big one!

[D&P-OR]

I usually don't post my finds but this is just too good of a story not to tell about.----On 4/1/'11, I found the coin that I've been looking for since 1975 (35 years)--a 1916-D Mercury dime.---It was found in pretty (moist) mineralized ground with the Etrac & 10X12 SEF coil at about 6 inches deep and about 15 minutes into the start of the hunt.---The Sunray X-1 probe really "sang out" when it hit that rare coin down in the hole, that probe is an invaluable recovery tool.----About 10 minutes later my wife recovered another 1916 merc, only it was an "S" mint. --It was found with her Etrac with 11" Pro stock coil and at 7" deep.-------A bit of irony--2 years to the day earlier on 4/1/'09, I found another rare dime, an 1870S Seated Liberty (50,000) mintage (found with the Etrac & 11" Pro stock coil)-------To put this in proper prospective--since 1975, I have recovered hundreds upon hundreds of silver coins and literally thousands of wheat backs--so it took a LOT of hunting (at least for me) to find the king 1916D merc.-----I know one thing for sure, when I cleaned that dime enough to put it under the glass & verify (FOR SURE) that it was indeed a 1916D---the FIRST thing I did was thank The Lord for my good fortune.-------Here are pictures of the silver coins found by my wife & I on these three hunts 4/1 thru 4/3/'11, (2 silver coins.-----Walking Liberty half-1929D----Wash. quarters-1939D, 1948S & 1952S----Barber dimes-1903P (philly), 1905P, 1911S----Mercury dimes-the 1916D, 1916S, (2) 1917S, (2) 1919D, (2) 1920P, 1925D, 1927P, 1929D, 1935S, 1937S, 1939S, 1940S, 1942S, 1944P, 1944S----Roosevelt dimes-1952D, 1959D, 1963D-------We also recovered 38 wheaties in these three hunts--the oldest being a 1909P----All coins recovered ranged from 5 to 9 inches deep.-------Well, I hope you guys & gals enjoyed this write up.----I took a shot at posting pictures also, hope they turn out.---I'll post the pictures seperately.----------Del

 

[LostNowFound]

How about some photos. Would love to see the coins.

Congrats!

 

[NebTrac]

A HUGE Congratulations to you my friend. I hope you get some sleep tonight.

NebTrac

 

[jeepcj5]

WOW congrats buddy, in your sig it says OR, are you guys from Oregon???

 

[D&P-OR]

The top merc on the "pictures of silver finds (three hunts)" post is the '16D.----I had trouble getting the pictures logged in.------Del

 

[therover]

You deserve it for you persistence and dedication.

For me, I still think finding those old, low mintage coins are the best finds of all. Even better than diamond rings.

Hopefully I get to find one of those or a gold coin. I guess I gotta do more land hunting !

 

[jim tn]

Del, great bunch of silver...and what's to be said for finding a 16D dime, besides, WOW! HH jim tn

 

[silverman]

You are The Man. I am so happy for you ole pal.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Congratulation Del, it could not have happened to a more deserving person.

 

[D&P-OR]

Thanks so much everybody, I really appreciate your responses.------It was a long time in coming--now all I gotta do is find that gold coin before I "hang it up"! ----------Del

 

[hershey1]

Congratulations are in order for a dedicated and deserving treasure hunter. Great story Del and Mrs. Del What do you mean hang it up that story should and probably will make the Greatest Finds edition. Thanks for posting and being great examples of this wonderful hobby. HH

 

[Elton]

[size=x-large]Congratulations on a great find !![/size]


Tell your wife congrats on all the Silver she, and you found !!

 

[Gonehunting]

Should go in the best finds forum! Congrats...

 

[grouser]

very VERY nice hunting Del,,,, you must share your research methods with me so I might have a chance at that kind of success,,,,, congrats my friend !!!!!!

 

[Ralph Sun Ray]

Great finds Dell, especially the 1916-D!!

Ralph & Elaine (Sun Ray)

 

[geodawn]

Congrats on the great find!