***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

[ModernMiner]

***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

O.K. Folks, I'm having a serious silver slump here in good old NC. Last weeks mid-1800's house looked like a dream, but not one silver coin. Not even a Rosie.
Today I started another house down the road a bit. This one was built in 1843, sits in a wealthy area, and was built by a doctor.
Right off the bat I dug two IH's. One was an 1880, and the other an 1864 (semi key date & my oldest so far).
Again, NO SILVER!!! If these old IH's were still there, I would think the property has never been detected.
The dark black soil is soft as butter and you can literally push your digger a foot deep in areas with no problem.
I dug lots of rusty iron, nails, pull tabs, clad quarters, dimes, and nickels.
I was started having second thoughts about my machine, but if I'm digging deep clad and other relics, so I would think if there was silver to be had I would find it.
If my Tesoro found a tiny half dime in a field, then certainly it should be able to find silver in a yard.
My only thoughts are: (1) the silver is too deep, or (2) the cold temps are not allowing the machine to operate properly.
WHAT DO YOU FOLKS THINK Any input?
After watching Captn Dan constantly dig up deep silver I'm starting to wonder if I should get me a Minelab SE.
This was my first attempt and I still have lots to cover, so we'll see what happens. It's not easy getting permission to detect these old houses, and maybe I get my hopes up too high with visions of sugar plums silver dancing in my head.
Now that I got my crying done, here's my finds:

*1864 and 1880 IH's.

*Wheats- 1912, 30 , 35 (x2) , 40, 51, 52.

*Railroad nail/spike with a large "G" and "36" on the head. Is that 1936?

*Tootsietoy Jeep & Hotwheels "Sand Drifter" (1974)

*Tiny cast metal toys- Tophat , plane, train.

*Asst'd lantern parts, pocket knife, keys, etc.

Thanks for looking,
MM

 

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[hyperion]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

I am new to the coin grading world. Which of those lines reflects what coin I have?

Sorry MM ... I missed one of your questions ... this thread is getting loooonnngggg! The double-punch variety is PCGS number 37408. The line just below it is the triple-punch. Yours could be either of these and only a close look by an expert will reveal which one it is.

Below both of those are "mint state red" coins. A grand total of 4 have been graded and slabbed by PCGS. That's a REAL SMALL number.

 

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[Michigan Badger]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

Supere find!

I've dug a couple 1865's but no 64 yet.

Outstanding finds!

Badger

 

[NGE]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

Looks Mint State Green to me, nice find anyways..........NGE

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

Very nice find indeed. I believe it is a repunched date, not a doubled die. And YES, the repunched date, along with the "L" , brings in a BIG premium. A highly desired coin. I was lucky to find a 1864L a couple of years back, but no repunched date.

Thanks for the info Wheatback. I guess I'll find out what exactly I have when I send it in to be slabbed.
-MM-

MM,

Of course I would recommend ANACS, just an oversight on my part. They will holder all U.S. coinage if genuine. They will note "issues" on the holder and give a "net grade". For example yours might come back 1864 L RPD (Snow designation) Environmental Damage, VF-30 Details, Net F-15. This is just an example.

Concerning your question on the difference in doubling on the date and lettering. The date was stamped on the die by hand back in those days. On this particular variety it seems the mint employee was out on a bender the night before. On one die it took him two tries and on the other, three. The letters were transferred to the die from a working hub and not applied by hand. The doubling on the lettering is either machine-doubling or die-deterioration doubling. Both are common and don't add a premium.

Definitely don't clean it in any way. Keep us informed on its journey.

I learn something new here all the time. I LOVE this site.
Thanks for the info Hyper. I'll be sending the coin in to ANACS soon. I'll keep you posted how they grade it.
-MM-

I am new to the coin grading world. Which of those lines reflects what coin I have?

Sorry MM ... I missed one of your questions ... this thread is getting loooonnngggg! The double-punch variety is PCGS number 37408. The line just below it is the triple-punch. Yours could be either of these and only a close look by an expert will reveal which one it is.

Below both of those are "mint state red" coins. A grand total of 4 have been graded and slabbed by PCGS. That's a REAL SMALL number.

Not bad!!! Looks like only TWO of the 37408's have been graded.
Thanks,
MM

COOL!! 8) MM! That is just too awesome! And just to think, if you didn't have these insightful folks on Tnet, it would have just been another Injun. I so proud for ya!! Fantastic find! Much better than a little 'ole silver.

Nana

Thanks Nana.
-MM-

silver would be nice, but those are some great looking finds....

Thanks Allen.
As far as no silver coins yet, I asked the owner if the property had been detected before. He said he's owned it since 1969 and it hasn't been detected since he's owned it. So if it were detected, it had to be some early detectors scoring the silver, which I guess could be possible.
I'm steering more towards the silver being to deep to be detected (so far). I was digging memorial pennies and a 1952 nickel yesterday at about 6-8".
-MM-

Supere find!

I've dug a couple 1865's but no 64 yet.

Outstanding finds!

Badger

Thanks MB.
Great to hear from you. My Tesoro is still finding the goods.
-MM-

Looks Mint State Green to me, nice find anyways..........NGE

Thanks NGE.

 

[muleskinner]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

MM I wouldn't want to compete with a guy swingin an Explorer, unless I had one too. I think you probably have as good of a machine as what you could get for twice the money. Unless you consider some good deals on used machines.
Your Tesoro is a great machine, but your hunting spots are just super. I don't care what machine your swingin it won't matter if you can't find a spot with potential. Which you seem to have a knack for. How do you do it? Are you bold enough to walk up and knock on the door? Please fill me in.

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

MM I wouldn't want to compete with a guy swingin an Explorer, unless I had one too. I think you probably have as good of a machine as what you could get for twice the money. Unless you consider some good deals on used machines.
Your Tesoro is a great machine, but your hunting spots are just super. I don't care what machine your swingin it won't matter if you can't find a spot with potential. Which you seem to have a knack for. How do you do it? Are you bold enough to walk up and knock on the door? Please fill me in.

Thanks Muleskinner.
I hand picked some houses recently in an old part of town that I wanted to detect and sent them a nice letter about me, what I do, my references, and pictures of what I find. Out of seven letters, I received three replies/approvals. That is plenty to keep me busy for a loooooong time. I still have the plantation house and 194 acre CW farm that I have been detecting at for two years and still haven't finished yet. Some that I get permission to MD at are just from word of mouth. During the cold I can MD in the woods since there are no ticks, snakes, heat, etc to keep you out. During the hot summer months I can detect yards.
I've had plenty of luck placing "Wanted: Old properties" ads on Craigslist too.
I would recommend putting together some nice looking displays with your finds. I use the Riker display cases (see attached), as they are easy to keep adding too, and easy to take with you to show the property owners.
Once you start getting a good list of references under your belt, it is much easier to get permission because there is more trust then.
I ALWAYS give the property owners some of my finds. Even if they don't ask, I make them a nice shadowbox of relics. (see pictures)
Good luck,
MM

 

[DigginThePast]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

MM - Nice job on the shadowboxes.

 

[HolyDiver]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

That looks legit to me

 

[john37115]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

Congrats on the fine indianhead penny. I bet your heart skipped a beat when you realized what you had there.
You could always sell it and maybe buy a Explorer or my favorite E-trac.
Those displays are way cool, I've made some up but yours looks much better than mine.
I love the graphics you come up with on the Police button ( letting the artist show there)
Do you have a generic copy of the letter you send out?
I would love to see it, sounds like a great icebreaker.

 

[Ant]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

Very impressive finds and a double die strike coin too.

Thanks for sharing MM.

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

MM - Nice job on the shadowboxes.

Thanks Diggin. Much appreciated.
-MM-

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

Very impressive finds and a double die strike coin too.

Thanks for sharing MM.

Thank s Ant.
Not as cool as that lock you found. Congrats on a banner find!
-MM-

Congrats on the fine indianhead penny. I bet your heart skipped a beat when you realized what you had there.
You could always sell it and maybe buy a Explorer or my favorite E-trac.
Those displays are way cool, I've made some up but yours looks much better than mine.
I love the graphics you come up with on the Police button ( letting the artist show there)
Do you have a generic copy of the letter you send out?
I would love to see it, sounds like a great icebreaker.

John,
My 3 years of high school art classes must of paid off.
I just PM'd you about the letter.
Thanks,
MM

 

[jorge del norte]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

MM, congrads on the 1864 IH, seems like we are hitting a few good spots as of late.

Whats that thing worth, any guess......?

I'm hunting a lot on FOIL setting, sen 7-9, threshold 10.........I seem to be getting stuff I missed before...

later, jorge

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

MM, congrads on the 1864 IH, seems like we are hitting a few good spots as of late.
Whats that thing worth, any guess......?
I'm hunting a lot on FOIL setting, sen 7-9, threshold 10.........I seem to be getting stuff I missed before...

later, jorge

Jorge,
No idea what's it's worth, but I had an offer of $125. I'm sending it off to ANACS today to get graded & slabbed.

It's amazing how many things I've missed too since setting my Tesoro to "foil" and rechecking areas. Lots on nickels, and I got that 1833 capped bust half dime too.
Good luck,
Doug

 

[Gilligan]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

Another great find bro, make me want to go through all the old coins I have found andlook a little closer!! Good hunting, Bryan in Goldsboro

 

[OPUS1]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

I would be more than happy with your finds. There out there, keep it up.

 

[ZenAgain]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

You want the silver? Find a small town with buildings circa late 1800's early 1900's and hit the lot when they tear em down. Thanks to TxConnection for that bit of info. Those old stores/buildings were like silver mines from coins slipping through the floors.

 

[xlt nh]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

Great Job MM!!! Definitely have it slabbed...that's too cool!

HH, Hank 8)

 

[halfdime]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

What a great find! And while reading all the replies, it occurred to me why there may be a lack of silver (not just at your site, but at others). I'd assume that kids are, and were, more careless with their money than anyone else. They are, and were, more likely to lose it. Back in the day, they were also more likely to have just pennies, which is why you may find a site that has lots of old wheats and even Indians, but little or no silver. I lean toward adults as the silver losers; thankfully, there were plenty of those as well!

 

[muleskinner]

Re: ***1864 "L" Indian Head ***DOUBLE DIE*** My oldest & rarest coin yet

Thanks for the tips on getting permission. I think there's some metal detecting techniques I can use. Best of luck Buddy.