An ass, a cross and an old wheat cent!

[Bad Wolf]

So basically, I walked away from dirt fishing a few years ago when it got to be a little too distracting, shall we say, but not before I bought a new machine. And I’m not quite sure why, but in the last several weeks I started to get the bug again and so I broke out the old/new machine and started in on the front yard of the house my wife and I just moved into in Carmel Valley, California, which is just a bit inland from Carmel by the Sea.

If you read the photo from left to right, you can see how things progressed; First thing I dug up was the back-end of a pack mule cast in iron, which told me two things. First, that I’m undoubtedly an ass for starting in on this insanely addictive pastime once again, and second, that this old house (it’s a post-Adobe, which is old for these parts, anyway) probably has more old, forgotten things to show. So, I took it as a good sign overall and continued swinging, pulling up an old beer can pull top next (another good sign of times long past), and then what I thought was a 22 shell but turned out not to be. And then, ringing up a bit low, a nice little cross with the remnants of a broken chain still attached that just happened to have the word “sterling” on the back. Praise be. And finally, a few more swings and one last dig to uncover a 1955 S wheat penny before it got too dark to see.

So, what did I learn from this, my first dirt fishing experience in many years? As I mentioned above, that I’m probably an ass, though that’s no revelation. But I also learned that apparently I have the Good Lord‘s blessing to dig up as many old coins as I can find.

And for now, at least, I plan on doing exactly that.

 

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[billb]

Congratulations on your recoveries

 

[Bad Wolf]

Congratulations on your recoveries

Thank you, Bill. But I consider it more a relapse than a recovery...

 

[Drew61]

 

[Underwonder]

View attachment 1987812

So basically, I walked away from dirt fishing a few years ago when it got to be a little too distracting, shall we say, but not before I bought a new machine. And I’m not quite sure why, but in the last several weeks I started to get the bug again and so I broke out the old/new machine and started in on the front yard of the house my wife and I just moved into in Carmel Valley, California, which is just a bit inland from Carmel by the Sea.

If you read the photo from left to right, you can see how things progressed; First thing I dug up was the back-end of a pack mule cast in iron, which told me two things. First, that I’m undoubtedly an ass for starting in on this insanely addictive pastime once again, and second, that this old house (it’s a post-Adobe, which is old for these parts, anyway) probably has more old, forgotten things to show. So, I took it as a good sign overall and continued swinging, pulling up an old beer can pull top next (another good sign of times long past), and then what I thought was a 22 shell but turned out not to be. And then, ringing up a bit low, a nice little cross with the remnants of a broken chain still attached that just happened to have the word “sterling” on the back. Praise be. And finally, a few more swings and one last dig to uncover a 1955 S wheat penny before it got too dark to see.

So, what did I learn from this, my first dirt fishing experience in many years? As I mentioned above, that I’m probably an ass, though that’s no revelation. But I also learned that apparently I have the Good Lord‘s blessing to dig up as many old coins as I can find.

And for now, at least, I plan on doing exactly that.

Very witty ditty. Enjoy the toil of the coil…

 

[Digger RJ]

View attachment 1987812

So basically, I walked away from dirt fishing a few years ago when it got to be a little too distracting, shall we say, but not before I bought a new machine. And I’m not quite sure why, but in the last several weeks I started to get the bug again and so I broke out the old/new machine and started in on the front yard of the house my wife and I just moved into in Carmel Valley, California, which is just a bit inland from Carmel by the Sea.

If you read the photo from left to right, you can see how things progressed; First thing I dug up was the back-end of a pack mule cast in iron, which told me two things. First, that I’m undoubtedly an ass for starting in on this insanely addictive pastime once again, and second, that this old house (it’s a post-Adobe, which is old for these parts, anyway) probably has more old, forgotten things to show. So, I took it as a good sign overall and continued swinging, pulling up an old beer can pull top next (another good sign of times long past), and then what I thought was a 22 shell but turned out not to be. And then, ringing up a bit low, a nice little cross with the remnants of a broken chain still attached that just happened to have the word “sterling” on the back. Praise be. And finally, a few more swings and one last dig to uncover a 1955 S wheat penny before it got too dark to see.

So, what did I learn from this, my first dirt fishing experience in many years? As I mentioned above, that I’m probably an ass, though that’s no revelation. But I also learned that apparently I have the Good Lord‘s blessing to dig up as many old coins as I can find.

And for now, at least, I plan on doing exactly that.

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Timbermaster]

Nice finds! It is quite an addictive hobby I must admit. The ground is about to freeze up for 6 mos so Tnet is all I got! I will be admiring all the finds from the warmer climes. Thanks for posting them.

 

[RichsEquinox]

Congrats on some pretty cool finds Bad Wolf! I like the cross and appreciate the story you told as well. I bet you’ll be finding some very interesting treasures in your area. Love the Carmel Valley area.

 

[jewelerguy]

the pack mule was a souvenir from somewhere. Those were a popular souvenir item in 'pioneer' areas. The place was painted or a decal on the long rectangular area on the side. When I was a kid I got one when we visited Calico Ghost Town in California.

 

[oldmxrat]

Hooked again, huh? Welcome back and congrats on a good start!

 

[Cuda74]

View attachment 1987812

So basically, I walked away from dirt fishing a few years ago when it got to be a little too distracting, shall we say, but not before I bought a new machine. And I’m not quite sure why, but in the last several weeks I started to get the bug again and so I broke out the old/new machine and started in on the front yard of the house my wife and I just moved into in Carmel Valley, California, which is just a bit inland from Carmel by the Sea.

If you read the photo from left to right, you can see how things progressed; First thing I dug up was the back-end of a pack mule cast in iron, which told me two things. First, that I’m undoubtedly an ass for starting in on this insanely addictive pastime once again, and second, that this old house (it’s a post-Adobe, which is old for these parts, anyway) probably has more old, forgotten things to show. So, I took it as a good sign overall and continued swinging, pulling up an old beer can pull top next (another good sign of times long past), and then what I thought was a 22 shell but turned out not to be. And then, ringing up a bit low, a nice little cross with the remnants of a broken chain still attached that just happened to have the word “sterling” on the back. Praise be. And finally, a few more swings and one last dig to uncover a 1955 S wheat penny before it got too dark to see.

So, what did I learn from this, my first dirt fishing experience in many years? As I mentioned above, that I’m probably an ass, though that’s no revelation. But I also learned that apparently I have the Good Lord‘s blessing to dig up as many old coins as I can find.

And for now, at least, I plan on doing exactly that.

Welcome back to the hunt!

 

[Mud Hut]

Looks more half-assed to me!

Cool cross!

 

[xr7ator]

I'll bet he's already out on his next hunt! What an arse...

})

 

[Bad Wolf]

View attachment 1987830

You know, it didn't occur to me but you're right--I must surely have been channeling Carmac the Magnificent!

 

[Bad Wolf]

Nice finds! It is quite an addictive hobby I must admit. The ground is about to freeze up for 6 mos so Tnet is all I got! I will be admiring all the finds from the warmer climes. Thanks for posting them.

Thanks, 'master. I swing an NMS, too, btw. But I don't get it--you're saying the ground actually freezes in the Winter in MT? Weird...

 

[Bad Wolf]

Congrats on some pretty cool finds Bad Wolf! I like the cross and appreciate the story you told as well. I bet you’ll be finding some very interesting treasures in your area. Love the Carmel Valley area.

Thanks, Rich. Florida ain't too bad, either. And it's a Free State, too...

 

[Bad Wolf]

the pack mule was a souvenir from somewhere. Those were a popular souvenir item in 'pioneer' areas. The place was painted or a decal on the long rectangular area on the side. When I was a kid I got one when we visited Calico Ghost Town in California.

Hi 'guy! Thanks so much for your insight about the pack mule. You're exactly right, I remember seeing them myself back in the day!

 

[Bad Wolf]

Hooked again, huh? Welcome back and congrats on a good start!

Thanks, 'rat!

 

[Bad Wolf]

Welcome back to the hunt!

Thanks, Cuda. That little red rocket isn't yours, is it?

 

[Timbermaster]

Thanks, 'master. I swing an NMS, too, btw. But I don't get it--you're saying the ground actually freezes in the Winter in MT? Weird...

I am liking my Nokta so far, its a great little machine. It really locks onto coins amid junk targets. Yes, the ground will freeze absolutely solid as a rock in a couple weeks and remain frozen until late april. You would have a hard time getting in the ground with a pick-axe.