Counterfeit Large Cent (I think), Indian Head, Buttons, & More at the Cellar Hole

[grasshopper]

Just got back from a hunt at a few different sites that were all close together.

I stopped at a foundation that's pretty overgrown. The inside of the cellar is littered with everything that was once in the house - lots of crockery and glass, bottles, porcelain, etc... and also a lot of leather. Saw a few old shoes laying around. Someone has definitely plundered this place before. I didn't really detect here, but found the silvery-colored broken object. Not sure what it is...any ideas?

Down the road a little bit I hit another cellar where I found an 1830s large cent last year. I gridded the area pretty hard and came away with a few keepers. First find was what I believe is a counterfeit large cent. It's very worn, but I'm pretty sure you can see the wreath on the back with remnants of "AMERICA" around the edge. It rang up in the 50's/60's on my XLT. The other largies I've found have always rung up in the 70's. It also weighs a little over 9 grams, and I think normal ones are over 10 grams. I'm interested to see what you all think about it. I also might be seeing things, but does it look like there's an engraving on the front?

I also found an 1885 IH, a huge flat button, and another button. I've never found one of the second type. It looks like it has some flowery-type design on it. How old would this be? There's no backmark.

 

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[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

I can't tell if you've got a counterfeit or not, as there is not a lot to see, but the lower ID numbers can be accounted for by the amount of patina / corrosion (and the corrosion could account for the weight loss)

I just dug a large copper today, it rang in around 60 it has a nice even green patina on it. On the other hand much newer, and much smaller cents, relatively clean, will hit about 80, both being made of (very nearly) pure copper alloy, the only varible left is the patina. I have thought about this for some time.

 

[Ifoundit69]

I dont think its counterfiet because most of those found are in bad shape and time and eliments can so some serious damage to coins . But nice score !

 

[grasshopper]

Thanks for the input guys. I really had no idea for sure I just was very thrown off by the vdi number and its weight.

 

[Don in SJ]

Probably legit, out of curiosity, run the detector over it now that it is out of the ground. I have not found that dirt/corrosion, really changes a readout on my SE Pro, but in the ground the coin might have been on an angle and could read different. Just curious. I just did my worst corroded 1824 Large Cent versus a nice 1826 Large Cent, same numbers 03/29 on the SE. But put the coin on edge and can get numbers as low as 10/04(numbers vary considerably) which is unbelievable and the tone is lower, a person not digging all solid targets might dismiss digging it!!

 

[grasshopper]

Probably legit, out of curiosity, run the detector over it now that it is out of the ground. I have not found that dirt/corrosion, really changes a readout on my SE Pro, but in the ground the coin might have been on an angle and could read different. Just curious. I just did my worst corroded 1824 Large Cent versus a nice 1826 Large Cent, same numbers 03/29 on the SE. But put the coin on edge and can get numbers as low as 10/04(numbers vary considerably) which is unbelievable and the tone is lower, a person not digging all solid targets might dismiss digging it!!

I ran it over the coil after I dug it. I forget the exact numbers, but I'm pretty sure it was in the mid-50s on my XLT. Strange thing was it wouldn't really lock in on a single number, every time I scanned it the sound was kind of bouncy.

 

[63bkpkr]

Ah the Detectiveing of detecting - "what do I have"!? Now that winter is over you folks on the east coast are really having an awesome start of the season and with an XLT, a good machine but not of the most modern machines, well done! Any particular XLT menu you could share?...................63bkpkr

 

[grasshopper]

Yes, I've had the XLT for about 5 or so years and she's served me well. I also have a V3i which I would be using if it wasn't broken. Last time out the loops on the coil that the plastic screw goes through attaching to the down-rod happened to break off. Tried gluing them back with no luck. I was told my only other option would be to get a new coil which kills me because it isn't really not working...

I think the program I've been using is a slightly modified stock relic program. Lately I've been having some trouble with the XLT falsing every time I knock it into a branch or jerk it too hard.

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Probably legit, out of curiosity, run the detector over it now that it is out of the ground. I have not found that dirt/corrosion, really changes a readout on my SE Pro, but in the ground the coin might have been on an angle and could read different. Just curious. I just did my worst corroded 1824 Large Cent versus a nice 1826 Large Cent, same numbers 03/29 on the SE. But put the coin on edge and can get numbers as low as 10/04(numbers vary considerably) which is unbelievable and the tone is lower, a person not digging all solid targets might dismiss digging it!!

I just double checked on two different machines. And I'm talking green patina that is covering the dug (uncleaned in any way) coin Left in pic. versus an undug, same size, composition coin or right of pic.

The VID's were consistant, locked.
AT Pro; dug patina coin VDI 67, undug coin 76
Omega; dug patina coin VDI 65, undug coin 79

The only difference in these two coins is the patina, which I believe somehow coats / or blocks the copper somewhat. In this case 13 to 21%

I also agree in ground orientation is a BIG factor, but so is this. Regardless I would dig much worse signals.

If you have one that is still green uncleaned try it on explorer, I'm curious that still makes no difference.

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

awesome hunt! i love my XLT too.great machine.i dug a counterfiet LC and mine was made of pewter

 

[nsdq]

it may clean up or it may not still nice finds

 

[jpmccutc]

Awesome Finds! I cant wait to found awesome stuff like that!

 

[grasshopper]

I just double checked on two different machines. And I'm talking green patina that is covering the dug (uncleaned in any way) coin Left in pic. versus an undug, same size, composition coin or right of pic.

The VID's were consistant, locked.
AT Pro; dug patina coin VDI 67, undug coin 76
Omega; dug patina coin VDI 65, undug coin 79

The only difference in these two coins is the patina, which I believe somehow coats / or blocks the copper somewhat. In this case 13 to 21%

I also agree in ground orientation is a BIG factor, but so is this. Regardless I would dig much worse signals.

If you have one that is still green uncleaned try it on explorer, I'm curious that still makes no difference.

Thanks for the help, Rick. I will try this a little later when I have the time. Unfortunately i don't have other dug coppers with me to compare it to, I'm at school right now..

 

[goen 4 gold]

awesome finds! I found a 1825 large sent a couple of years ago, it rang up an 83 on my dfx. ya might want to try some jb weld on your coil. that stuff fixes just about anything.

 

[CRUSADER]

Interesting 'flying saucer' button, never seen that type before, so now I've laid claim to the name.