Old School Silver

[Sooper Dave]

I took a long drive out to a small town school site I have never hunted. It is always such a gamble to drive so far just to find it's been hunted out by the local diggers. I had a few back up sites, but this place was my main focus because it has such a large area to hunt. I started around the old school and within no time I had dug a 45 Merc. This was a good sign that there was some things left to find. Well I hunted hard for about 2 hours and I had dug maybe 3 wheaties and a few pieces of clad. I took a water break and decided to head down to the farthest spot away from the school that looked perfect for a ball field. The grass was a lot taller but not so bad you couldn't swing. I started in the corner where I imagine home plate would have been and my first signal was another Merc. I spent another two hours working the infield having a good time digging old coins lost by the kids from years ago. The 1896 O Barber quarter was a great surprise and the kangaroo penny that was turned into a whizzer toy is a cool piece. My favorite find is The Band Of Mercy star pin. It's from an organization that was formed in 1875 and was to teach kids about being kind to all animals. It's always fun to find something new to learn about and it was well worth the drive for some good dirt therapy.

 

[Mark ( ohio )]

What a killer spot you hit. To me it was definitely worth the trip. Love finding mercs, but those barbers are sure a plus. WTG.

Mark ( ohio )

 

[JCR TX]

That's a good time there.

 

[Mark kus]

Amazing finds Dave I just did the same last week a old school far side old baseball are with some very old houses behind it amazing how we can see a area and go directly to a good spot I’ve gotten very good at identifying old undisturbed areas.
Mark

 

[Sooper Dave]

What a killer spot you hit. To me it was definitely worth the trip. Love finding mercs, but those barbers are sure a plus. WTG.

Mark ( ohio )

Thanks Mark!

 

[Sooper Dave]

Amazing finds Dave I just did the same last week a old school far side old baseball are with some very old houses behind it amazing how we can see a area and go directly to a good spot I’ve gotten very good at identifying old undisturbed areas.
Mark

Thanks Mark. I guess over time you learn to read the land. It's fun to find that original old soil on a site for sure.

 

[laplander]

"O" what a good time you had LOL! Nice job scoping out a forgotten corner.
HH Jeff

 

[Sooper Dave]

"O" what a good time you had LOL! Nice job scoping out a forgotten corner.
HH Jeff

Thanks Jeff.

 

[Ronstar]

Do you know what time span that school was there? Feels like if you found a Barber there should be more of that era as well. Nice recoveries and good story!

 

[casull454]

Excellent work.

 

[Sooper Dave]

Do you know what time span that school was there? Feels like if you found a Barber there should be more of that era as well. Nice recoveries and good story!

Thanks Ron. The tax records show that the property was purchased in 1915. I am not sure when the school was built. If the school was built soon after it would have been as Mercs, SLQ's & Walkers were being minted. I'm sure Barbers stayed in circulation for many years after they stopped minting those designs. I was surprised I didn't dig a buffalo. I dug 3 Jeffersons all from the 40's but not any war nickels.

 

[Sooper Dave]

Excellent work.

Thanks

 

[still looking 52]

Sounds like you need to take some more trips back to this area, that's a killer day.
Love that 1896 O mint mark quarter, looks like it's in good condition probably dropped around 1925.

 

[jim tn]

Nice hunting, Dave, that's a banner day for anyone. Love those Aussie big cents. Found a couple on a Military housing site some years ago. Yeah, I'd probably pack a nice lunch, grab a jug of water and make another good day on the spot. Still some goodies left! HH jim tn

 

[miserman]

When I find a spot like like I always go back the second time with the goal of finding at least half as much a I did the first time. I don't see any nickels in the pile, got to be some there. Nice 3-4 hour hunt.

 

[Sooper Dave]

Sounds like you need to take some more trips back to this area, that's a killer day.
Love that 1896 O mint mark quarter, looks like it's in good condition probably dropped around 1925.

Thanks

 

[Sooper Dave]

Nice hunting, Dave, that's a banner day for anyone. Love those Aussie big cents. Found a couple on a Military housing site some years ago. Yeah, I'd probably pack a nice lunch, grab a jug of water and make another good day on the spot. Still some goodies left! HH jim tn

Thanks Jim. I will head back that way this fall. Will check out some other sites in that are as well. HH

 

[Sooper Dave]

When I find a spot like like I always go back the second time with the goal of finding at least half as much a I did the first time. I don't see any nickels in the pile, got to be some there. Nice 3-4 hour hunt.

Thanks. I found 3 Jefferson nickels all from the 40's but none were war era. I didn't include them in the photo.

 

[floodplaindetector]

Nice Job Dave. Hey, what year is that Kangaroo penny? I can't tell from the pics.

 

[MuddyMo]

Wow, what a hunt/location. That could make your futures hunts boreing for a while.