1587 Elizabeth I hammered sixpence from southeast VA

Bill D. (VA)

Silver Member
Oct 7, 2008
4,711
6,212
SE Virginia
🥇 Banner finds
6
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
2
Detector(s) used
F75 SE (land); CZ-21 (saltwater)
Primary Interest:
Other
A hunting partner of mine had recently gotten a tip from an out-of-town friend about a couple sites including a beach. She invited me to go with her yesterday to check them out today since the tide was running real low. Anyway, neither of those sites worked out and on the way to our Plan B site we saw a field that looked inviting. We eventually found out who the owner was and where he lived so we went and talked to the guy and his son-in-law for quite a while. He told us it would be OK to go ahead and hunt. The field was rather small and right on the main road so we weren't expecting much. But we started digging a few early buttons right away and eventually started seeing a little brick followed by the iron patch. This was within 100 ft of the main road which was a little unusual. I found a couple more buttons then a nice holed 1782 half reale pops out! Then I found one of those 1600s nipple buttons which was a good clue as to the age of the site and also prepared me for the next target I dug - an Elizabeth I hammered silver coin!! Later after a little straightening and cleaning I saw where it was dated 1587 (425 years old!). I had been trying to get my partner to come hunt that area of the field with me and she finally came over. Then, just one row over she pulls out a very nice 1742 large British copper (half penny). I also found a shallow trash pit just behind the house site that I need to expand upon later. Dug some early brick, oyster shells, iron, ash and one decent sized piece of white pottery (the base of a bowl or small dish). It was a total luck-out to end up at this place and then to find an early colonial homesite, but many times that's how the best sites are found. This was the 8th 1500s silver coin I've dug in the area over the last 3 years. Can't wait to get back out in the field again. HH ..... Bill
 

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Upvote 0
Incredible find :o not many sites in the US that will give up 1500's silver but now you've located two (if not three) :headbang:

I'm putting in a banner vote here.. these hammereds really ought to be making it
 

That is a great find Bill, very cool

You know, most of the sites I stumble upon are like that, no record of anything there, maybe just some rumors, no physical evidence to be seen, just an inviting corn or soybean stubble filled field. It just takes getting out there and swinging the coil to find them.

We are blessed living down here having such great hunting ground.

congrats.

:icon_thumleft:
 

Well Done Bill , History has 1033 settlers in Va in 1626 Jamestown Colony was 1606 This side of the pond that coin is a BIG deal as many already know . I wish Henry Hudsons crew lost some coins here in Cape May in 1610 Huge Congrats !! dawg
 

all i can say is wow. hope you get to dig in trash pit more and even the privy if you can locate it.
 

Another hammered! Great finds Bill, you guys lucked into a quality site. Looking forward to more finds posted.
-Evan
 

Man thats an oldie Bill. WOW big congrats on stumbling on that goodie lll post banner as well. Nicely done
 

Well done Bill :headbang: This is the time of year when you really start cooking. Good luck the next trip to that field, hopefully there is more colonial silver!
 

That is a perfect site! Hammereds on Your side of the pond did not turn up often! :icon_thumleft:
 

Another one to your growing collection :hello2: :headbang:
 

Amazing coin to be found in the USA!!

Congratulations!
 

Bill, I am completely gobsmacked at your Lizzy six this side of " merry old " . BANNER !!!
Argentium.
 

Amazing finds !


:icon_thumright: :icon_thumleft: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumleft:
 

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