St. Augustine hunt - my first silver half dollar

[HistoryUnearthed]

Was visiting St. Augustine last week and we were visiting an artists home to look at some paintings. Home was built around 1900 and I happened to mention metal detecting to the artist who then said I would be welcome to swing his property. Wow, what an unexpected opportunity. Had the MD in the car because we were also visiting a friend and I was going to hit the beach. Did end up hitting the beach and found nothing but clad.

So I said to my wife, lets go by his house and I will swing it for an hour to see if there is anything worthwhile. So we go there and right away started hitting some coins. In the first 15 minutes found a 1907 barber dime. Withing the first hour, I ended up digging the 1905 silver barber half. Wow, I was stoked! That was not expected. Not quite the holy grail of detecting, but definitely up there.

The artist told me that the house was part of an old sugar plantation. Ended up finding 53 items included the two silvers, 11 wheaties and an old chinese coin (I think). Boy that really made my day.

 

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[P@tch]

Great finds at an unexpected permission, priceless. Congratulations

 

[HistoryUnearthed]

Thanks Patch. Yeah, goes to show, always be prepared for that opportunity.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Very well done sir! Those half dollars are something else coming out of the ground, huh? So big and silver. Congrats.

 

[HistoryUnearthed]

Very well done sir! Those half dollars are something else coming out of the ground, huh? So big and silver. Congrats.

Thanks Carolina Tom. Yeah, when I saw it, I couldn't believe it. I think the look on my face had to be priceless.

 

[against the wind]

That is a great story,,
Congrats on really hitting the jackpot.
I would send the "Artist" a really nice thank you, with a bottle of wine. Maybe plan a vacation around a return trip next year.
Thanks for the excellent post.

 

[HistoryUnearthed]

That is a great story,,
Congrats on really hitting the jackpot.
I would send the "Artist" a really nice thank you, with a bottle of wine. Maybe plan a vacation around a return trip next year.
Thanks for the excellent post.

Hi Against the Wind. Thanks so much for the kind words. He was such a nice guy. We bought a painting from him, so he was really pleased. He offered that next time we are down there we should stop by again (and maybe meet some of his neighbors as possible MD sites, heh, heh.)

 

[slowwevo]

2 barbers in 1 hunt is a great day ..just awesome

 

[trapperart]

Very nice finds congrats on the silver

 

[Scrappy]

Great finds. Nice work "working in" the fact that you detect. When I do that to friends my wife rolls her eyes and elbows me in the ribs

 

[BigWaveDave]

Reminds me of the time I got permission at a B&B, also in St. Augustine...
Only difference is, you found great stuff!!!....while I found NOTHING!

 

[texjim]

Awesome job.

 

[Gridwalker306]

Woohoo, Barber halves are an awesome find!

 

[Tnmountains]

Wow! What a rich area to hunt. Lot of early history there. Nice coins you had a good day!

 

[2moshers]

My wife is down in St. Augustine visiting her daughter and was on the beach hunting shark's teeth this morning. I'm now thinking maybe I should of tagged along. lol Nice finds!

 

[Peyton Manning]

planning to be there in August, what was the address?