Back in the Hunt - REV, 1812, Civil War and GOLD

Patriot Relics

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Location
Lowcountry, South Carolina / Richmond, Virginia
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Detector(s) used
CTX-3030, Deus XP II
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Relic Hunting
Hey guys,

I've been MIA on the platform for the last 9 months as my family relocated to Memphis, TN for a new airline gig. While the flying has been great, I'm ashamed to say my trusty CTX and DEUS have been collecting dust. As a present for my 35th Bday, my wife kicked me out of the house and directed to me to returned to the pluff mud for a few days of marathon detecting :laughing7:.

While I know the Charleston area like the back of my hand, there are never any guarantees. Before leaving, I grabbed a couple individual button cases, but my expectations were low. I landed, switched out of uniform, and drove straight to site one. I had hit it years ago with my buddy Ryan, so I figured it was time to give it a shot with a CTX vs a Safari. After turning on the machine, this was my first target.

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Flipped the plug and revealed a roached, but intact GS eagle. Minutes later I dug another example in better shape.

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I continued along the coast until I received my 3rd target of the day. Flipped the plug and saw the pewter edge, raced to the water and revealed a British 60th Regiment of Foot coat button.

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Nearly did a back flip into the surf when 2 ft away the CTX hit the same 12-18 target. A second 60th Regiment of Foot coat and in much better condition.

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After cleaning and wax seal

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After the tides subsided, I headed to an old plantation permission. My first target...another Rev War button, an unlisted 22mm, 45th Regiment of Foot. Will appear in Troiani's new supplement.

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Post cleaning and seal

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Now the count is 3 rev war, 2 civil war...time to dig 1812 right!

Determined to hit the military trifecta, I headed to a tried and true War of 1812 landing site. Waded into the muck and received my first target, definitely a pewter button...but what?

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The response...NO FRICKING WAY...my 4th rev war button and a beautiful loyalist Royal Provincials coat.

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Here's a group shot of the Rev War buttons

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Did also recover 3 of the notorious PN backmark pewters, believed to be 1750s British issue.

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Determined, I pressed on to find my 1812 button. The next target did not disappoint - 1812 era pewter cockade button.

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A few feet away a found a second, in better condition

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Up next...4 x US pewters

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3 Script I infantry buttons

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...and an NCO eagle with shield

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Here's a group shot of the 1811-1813 finds

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Here's all the unmarked varieties I found

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Now what...Rev war, 1812, civil war...gold of course. 22Kt mystery piece, prehaps off a broach or locket. It is crudely cast and certainly appears to be period - open to any ID help.

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The only coin of the dig, 1719 Diamond Sweden 1 Daler - a rare coin as well

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Assorted Rev-Civil war ammo, spoons, buckle fragments

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Here's a bit of the other civilian finds

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All finds within a 30 hour window and I could not be more shocked and thrilled. I added 3 new British regiments to my personally dug Siege of Charleston collection and my favorite 1812 dig ever - the pristine eagle cockade. Hope you all enjoyed the narrative and as always thanks for your comments.

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Upvote 60
Great finds and a great post VMI! :occasion14:

Anything with a Crown on it gets me excited, love the look of this Royal Provincials Button.

This piece is interesting as well. :thumbsup: Did you do a gold test on it to determine that it's 22K, because I don't see a mark?
Years ago, I found a ladies 22K gold wedding band on an old homestead and it was date marked 1815.
But what I think I do see in this pic is initials. :icon_scratch:

Dave


Hey Antiquarian, it acid tested at least 22k (don't have a 24kt test). The only mark is a raised pyramid/triangle on the front.
 

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You have got to be kidding! Too much!
 

wow...what a show and all from one big site!
that's a big collection for such a quick time
the return trip could be fun too..congrats on so many great old buttons...like the coin too!
 

Yeah....I am pretty sure I am extremely envious. Well done VMI !
 

Excellent presentation of a fantastic hunt. Congratulations on some great finds.

Amazing that you kept upgrading your initial finds with better ones. Another day and you might have beem able to do the same thing with the gold item by finding the rest of it!!!!

You may already be aware there a couple of varieties of that 1719 Swedish Thaler (KM#369). I found this info on the NGC website.

LINK .

Numista LINK .

That gold item made me think of a religious aura or halo for some reason.
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(Your wife sounds like a keeper too for making you go detect! :hello2: :thumbsup:)

Thanks for the link, mine is apparently the upside-down heart variety
 

Outstanding 30 hour relic hunting, totally speechless Big Congrats! :notworthy:
 

Awesome recoveries , A dream hunt !
 

Epic hunt! It looks like all of that pent up detecting energy for the past nine months was released back into the universe....with some serious dividends. Congratulations on recovering all of that history!

Yea, I could only hope to dig 1/10 of these early military buttons in a year, no less 2 days. One of those crazy days where right place, right machine, and right tides.
 

Can I get an Amen people? Wow, you really made the most of your time in Charleston. The Rev and 1812 buttons are outstanding. I have always wanted to dig a 60th Regiment (Royal Americans) button as they served in Fort that my hometown is named after during the French & Indian War - Fort Ligonier.

Thanks Steve, a lonely rev pewter would have made the trip a success, but 4 is rediculus. I'm trying to dig one button from every regiment involved in the seige of Charleston... I've got 10 different British regiments so far in 6 years.
 

Amazing results! Big congratulations!
 

wow...what a show and all from one big site!
that's a big collection for such a quick time
the return trip could be fun too..congrats on so many great old buttons...like the coin too!

Thanks ironhorse, I'll be back in a few months for sure
 

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