Sometimes you gotta quit while you're ahead...

[Crispytoo]

I managed to get out to a local park for a bit today. It was a bit chilly (21 degrees) but I was dressed for it. I have always heard that you should start detecting from the point that you get out of your car. I usually set off for some area other than what's in front of me. Today I turned on the SE, noise cancelled and then started detecting. First signal a nice round one and was in the zincoln range. It appeared to be at about the 6-8" depth. I have learned to like these signals as they can be Indian head cents. I pinpointed, dug a plug and low and behold at 7" out pops a 1907 Indian. Now I probably should've said fine, time to go, but instead hunted for a couple more hours which only netted me a hand full of wheaties, an elongated cent and an incredibly large French silver hair beret. I was actually quite pleased with the beret as it was quite heavy. I thought it was a handle off of a utility cabinet at first glance. I have included three other Indians that I have found at this park in the last few weeks (1880, 1890 & 1898 ) along with a fine looking 1916-S Merc ( that I could have sworn was a "D" when I found it) and a beat up 1918 Merc. I'll have to get out there again soon though as the ground is most definitely starting to freeze.

 

[Andrus(ut)]

n/t

 

[Crispytoo]

I'm sorry it was a 1916 "S" not a "D". That was just me reliving the angst of finding a 1916 Merc in VF condition and seeing the mint mark and for a second thinking (read: praying) that it was the rarity. I corrected the typo from above.

 

[king-ghidorah]

I like those IH's. Some nice finds, congrats!

 

[jb]

Nice find Crispy and the others aren't to shabby either. I notice the ground is pretty good to the Indians where as a lot of them come out pretty well toasted, yours are in great shape. The previous Merc's are a nice find also and anytime you find the 1916 it always gets the old heart pounding for awhile and then goes back down when a guy looks and finds the S or no mark at all. Congrats.
HH John

 

[Crispytoo]

I have to admit that I've only ever found three other Indian head cents so finding four more within a few weeks was a big deal for me. I had gotten so fed up digging the zinc cents that I basically had started to ignore those signals. I realize that depth is the key indicator to discriminating between the zincs and Indians, but my SE tends have quite erratic readings with regards to the depth gauge.

I am pleased with their condition as they are in much better shape than some of the wheaties that I have pulled out which can look like chunky green slugs. I have all my Indian cents and an 1865 two-cent piece soaking in olive oil to get rid of some the funk.

 

[James N.D.]

I see the Elongated Penny is from the Minnesota Zoo. Do you live in Minnesota? Where? If you do, maybe next year we could meet up and do some hunting together. Anyways, Great looking 16-s Merc! She's in terrific shape! The Indians look very nice also. Hope you find a few more before the end of the year. Good Luck and HH.

 

[Crispytoo]

Hey James-

I live in the Twin Cities. I agree, we should put something together next season. Perhaps there may be some other people that may want to join us. It is 10 degrees and feels to be below zero this morning. Really quite depressing. I was hoping to get some hunting in down at my in-law's farm next week. I will probably need my mattock and shovel to get at anything!


Crispytoo

 

[Hotcz70]

find "just one more" I tell myself..."okay I'm leaving after the next dig"....but after the next dig...I find myself saying the same thing and staying another 2 hours

 

[James N.D.]

I'm sure I can rustle up a friend or 2 and make a trip out your way next year, so I'll keep you in mind and get exact location where to meet up with you. If there's Injuns in them Parks, there's Barber and possibly Seated. Hope to meet up with you and see what we can dig up. Until then, Good Luck and HH!