Erik in NJ
New member
The following day I returned to property, hoping for a similar outing as the prior evening, but realizing that it would be a dificult act to follow. After aimlessly wandering around the property looking for new hotspots, my efforts were only rewarded with the wick holder to an old lamp, a brass buckle (probably from horse tack), and some wheat cents, the oldest being 1913. I was a bit frustrated and amazed to think that the evening before I had dug four "high-value" targets in simply 5 or 6 holes!
The next evening, I decided to take a more methodical approach and to begin gridding the front yard where the Colonial-era flat button was found. This approach paid off.
I unearthed the oldest looking pewter (I believe) spoon I have ever found. It was about 10" deep and tangled in tree roots. It's very heavy, but crumbling as you can see. I believe the stem or part of the stem may have broken off during recovery (which I hate), but I didn't realize this until I cleaned it later. My guess on the age of this spoon is 1700's, but I'm hoping someone here will help to ID it for me. N.B. the area where the stem attaches to the spoon head. Here it is (the stem is round):
[attachment 169675 ColonialPewterSpoonFront.jpg][attachment 169676 ColonialPewterSpoonBack.jpg]
Next, I got a pretty solid nickel hit and it was deeper -- about 6" - 8". I dug my plug and was rewarded by this nice 1868 Shield Nickel which has not been cleaned yet:
[attachment 169677 ShieldNickel1868Obverse001.jpg][attachment 169678 ShieldNickel1868Reverse001.jpg]
This evening or the next, I dug what I thought was an old tube of glue and just threw it in my pouch. Upon closer inspection at home I came to the realization that this is probably the tip of sword or bayonet scabbard!! N.B. the tiny crimps where it was probaby held on. I'm hoping that someone who finds military relics can help date this one. It's in very nice condition, but still partially filled with soil as it has been crushed somewhat. I was told by someone that this is a very nice find.
[attachment 169679 ScabbardTip001.jpg][attachment 169680 ScabbardTip002.jpg]
The next two items I also need some help with in terms of ID and age. I found both on the same evening not terribly far apart. The were deep, but hit hard on my machine. Both appear to be made of pewter and are gilted. Both have a marking on the back where some sort of pin or clip was attached. Both are very ornate with a considerable amount of detail. They have only been cleaned with soap and water so far. When I dug the first, I assumed it was a woman's brooch, but they are both heavy and I have reconsidered that theory:
[attachment 169681 BridleDecoration1Front.jpg][attachment 169682 BridleDecoration1Back.jpg]
Here's the front of the second -- it resembles a sunflower and has leaves and detail in the center:
[attachment 169683 BridleDecoration2Front.jpg]
Thanks for looking and any help IDing and dating some of these items!
More silver was found and I will follow up with a third post in the near future.
The next evening, I decided to take a more methodical approach and to begin gridding the front yard where the Colonial-era flat button was found. This approach paid off.
I unearthed the oldest looking pewter (I believe) spoon I have ever found. It was about 10" deep and tangled in tree roots. It's very heavy, but crumbling as you can see. I believe the stem or part of the stem may have broken off during recovery (which I hate), but I didn't realize this until I cleaned it later. My guess on the age of this spoon is 1700's, but I'm hoping someone here will help to ID it for me. N.B. the area where the stem attaches to the spoon head. Here it is (the stem is round):
[attachment 169675 ColonialPewterSpoonFront.jpg][attachment 169676 ColonialPewterSpoonBack.jpg]
Next, I got a pretty solid nickel hit and it was deeper -- about 6" - 8". I dug my plug and was rewarded by this nice 1868 Shield Nickel which has not been cleaned yet:
[attachment 169677 ShieldNickel1868Obverse001.jpg][attachment 169678 ShieldNickel1868Reverse001.jpg]
This evening or the next, I dug what I thought was an old tube of glue and just threw it in my pouch. Upon closer inspection at home I came to the realization that this is probably the tip of sword or bayonet scabbard!! N.B. the tiny crimps where it was probaby held on. I'm hoping that someone who finds military relics can help date this one. It's in very nice condition, but still partially filled with soil as it has been crushed somewhat. I was told by someone that this is a very nice find.
[attachment 169679 ScabbardTip001.jpg][attachment 169680 ScabbardTip002.jpg]
The next two items I also need some help with in terms of ID and age. I found both on the same evening not terribly far apart. The were deep, but hit hard on my machine. Both appear to be made of pewter and are gilted. Both have a marking on the back where some sort of pin or clip was attached. Both are very ornate with a considerable amount of detail. They have only been cleaned with soap and water so far. When I dug the first, I assumed it was a woman's brooch, but they are both heavy and I have reconsidered that theory:
[attachment 169681 BridleDecoration1Front.jpg][attachment 169682 BridleDecoration1Back.jpg]
Here's the front of the second -- it resembles a sunflower and has leaves and detail in the center:
[attachment 169683 BridleDecoration2Front.jpg]
Thanks for looking and any help IDing and dating some of these items!
More silver was found and I will follow up with a third post in the near future.