I know this is more of a purists coin forum but I love old coins. The ones I find while metal detecting are so fun to have. To think who was living on the farm site (most of my old finds come from old farm houses) and who might of dropped the coin. How they may have looked for it and not found it. Then I come around 100 plus years later and find it about 5 inches down in the dirt just as it lay when lost. Very fun stuff!! This is now my oldest dated coin find. I have older large cent varieties but the dates on those are worn off. Have a very worn bust large cent with no date plus a turban head type large cent that also has no date. My previous oldest dated coin is a 1823 large cent. Kinda a semi key date one at that. Pretty worn and corroded though. Oldest silver is a 1840 half dime. Found two spanish reales that are so worn I can barely ID them. The point is that this metal detecting is a blast if you love finding old coins. I know most of you prefer the mint type coins that look flawless. Give me an old corroded indian head penny down in the dirt and I'm happy. Any way ya look at it we all here love coins whatever type or shape they are in. Thats one thing we have in common...... Oh, I also found a 1864 2 center in that same yard. Went to another farm house and found a pretty nice shape 1873 indian head penny. Jim
excellent!!!! circulated coins are just as cool because they have a history that the others don't have...i like them!!!!!
Well said! I think most folks would agree with you. Jim, Your metal detector finds are great. Yes, it's true, I do collect uncirculated coins, but I also enjoy "used" material too. There's no certain way to enjoy this hobby. From high-end rarieties, to pocket-change, we're all in this together.
Not bad at all! In nice condition considering how long it probably spent in the ground. Nothing quite like the excitement of digging up a piece of history such as this.
When I was actively metal detecting, I spent most of the time at old farmsites also. The ratio of old coins to new is much higher at these sites. That cent is one good looking coin! The last coin I found was a 2 cent piece, 1868, but it is rather nasty looking.
Of course, the highest state of preservation is the most desired for most collectors and that makes sense. However, you already got replies from people who find circulated coins attractive and I will add my vote to that sentiment. If you talk to collectors (read the message boards, etc.), you will find that many -- if not most -- share this view. It is common to hold a worn coin and imagine who carried it and what it bought. As we say every National Coin Week: "Coins are history you hold in your hand." I see that you are in Michigan. You mention finding Spanish reales. You know, then, that it was not until after the Civil War that federal coinage finally became more common than Spanish (and Mexican) silver. Do you mark your find sites? What sort of record-keeping goes along with this? Would you know if you found a trading post, as opposed to a farm? Do you maintain a library of Michigan history to help put your finds in context?
Hi Mmarotta, I do keep a log book of what I find and when and where. I have a 1874 atlas that I purchased a few years back that help me find sites to detect. I do have a lot of local and state history books that are very helpful also. My favorite relic find is a war of 1812 officers sword belt plate that I found at a farm house. Couldn't believe that one. Also found a confederate civil war button from North Carolina at one of our oldest local home sites. I do have a display of some things found at our local museum in our small town. Jim
