Counterstamped Capped Bust Silver from the beach

lenmac65

Silver Member
Jul 28, 2009
2,777
8,950
Massachusetts
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3
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Pro, Equinox 800 (as of 10/2019)
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I hit the beach for some coin shooting. I was finding mostly clad when I got a steady tone with a fairly consistent 20 VDI on the Equinox. I dug the hole expecting another Lincoln cent when I spotted a tiny coin. Although grey from 170 years or so in the saltwater, I quickly recognized it as a capped bust half dime, my first capped silver of any denomination. It is dated 1837, which I believe was the last year it was minted. It is counterstamped with a ‘5,’ perhaps to distinguish it from a dime? I wish it was in better shape, but I can’t complain, as I just love digging history. Also found a 1956 silver dime and a few wheats. Not sure what the round ornate object is, or the silver/glass charm. Happy hunting and good luck out there.
13D1E295-D157-47CE-BD03-19397EEC48F3.jpeg
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Upvote 34
I hit the beach for some coin shooting. I was finding mostly clad when I got a steady tone with a fairly consistent 20 VDI on the Equinox. I dug the hole expecting another Lincoln cent when I spotted a tiny coin. Although grey from 170 years or so in the saltwater, I quickly recognized it as a capped bust half dime, my first capped silver of any denomination. It is dated 1837, which I believe was the last year it was minted. It is counterstamped with a ‘5,’ perhaps to distinguish it from a dime? I wish it was in better shape, but I can’t complain, as I just love digging history. Also found a 1956 silver dime and a few wheats. Not sure what the round ornate object is, or the silver/glass charm. Happy hunting and good luck out there.View attachment 2024034View attachment 2024035View attachment 2024036View attachment 2024037View attachment 2024038
Great dig lenmac! Congratulations
 

I hit the beach for some coin shooting. I was finding mostly clad when I got a steady tone with a fairly consistent 20 VDI on the Equinox. I dug the hole expecting another Lincoln cent when I spotted a tiny coin. Although grey from 170 years or so in the saltwater, I quickly recognized it as a capped bust half dime, my first capped silver of any denomination. It is dated 1837, which I believe was the last year it was minted. It is counterstamped with a ‘5,’ perhaps to distinguish it from a dime? I wish it was in better shape, but I can’t complain, as I just love digging history. Also found a 1956 silver dime and a few wheats. Not sure what the round ornate object is, or the silver/glass charm. Happy hunting and good luck out there.View attachment 2024034View attachment 2024035View attachment 2024036View attachment 2024037View attachment 2024038
Wow!!! That's Cool!!! Awesome!!! Congrats!!!
 

I hit the beach for some coin shooting. I was finding mostly clad when I got a steady tone with a fairly consistent 20 VDI on the Equinox. I dug the hole expecting another Lincoln cent when I spotted a tiny coin. Although grey from 170 years or so in the saltwater, I quickly recognized it as a capped bust half dime, my first capped silver of any denomination. It is dated 1837, which I believe was the last year it was minted. It is counterstamped with a ‘5,’ perhaps to distinguish it from a dime? I wish it was in better shape, but I can’t complain, as I just love digging history. Also found a 1956 silver dime and a few wheats. Not sure what the round ornate object is, or the silver/glass charm. Happy hunting and good luck out there.View attachment 2024034View attachment 2024035View attachment 2024036View attachment 2024037View attachment 2024038
That’s an incredible coin to see on the beach, nice job.
 

Now that sure beats a Lincoln cent any day, and one of those unexpected surprises.
I really like counterstamped coinage they have that certain personal touched look to them.
Congrats on the recovery .
Any plans on taking off the crust, by soaking or leave as it is.
 

Now that sure beats a Lincoln cent any day, and one of those unexpected surprises.
I really like counterstamped coinage they have that certain personal touched look to them.
Congrats on the recovery .
Any plans on taking off the crust, by soaking or leave as it is.
Thanks pepperj. I definitely was not expecting a coin this old on the beach. I too like the counter stamp, though I wish I knew for sure what it designated. As for cleaning, I would like to try the baking soda, water, and foil trick to lighten them up a bit; however, I haven’t had much luck with these dark gray beach coins in the past. Still a nice piece of history, so I am happy. To think President Abraham Lincoln might still have been walking this earth when this coin was lost. Thanks again.
 

Thanks pepperj. I definitely was not expecting a coin this old on the beach. I too like the counter stamp, though I wish I knew for sure what it designated. As for cleaning, I would like to try the baking soda, water, and foil trick to lighten them up a bit; however, I haven’t had much luck with these dark gray beach coins in the past. Still a nice piece of history, so I am happy. To think President Abraham Lincoln might still have been walking this earth when this coin was lost. Thanks again.
In baking off the horn crust of old silvers some have used a coffee cup warmer.
Olive oil/lemon juice combination to clean the silver up.
The ratio 4oz. oil and a 1/2 of a squeezed lemon
4 cycles of 4 hrs 16 hr total on high.
 

In baking off the horn crust of old silvers some have used a coffee cup warmer.
Olive oil/lemon juice combination to clean the silver up.
The ratio 4oz. oil and a 1/2 of a squeezed lemon
4 cycles of 4 hrs 16 hr total on high.
That sounds interesting. Perhaps I will try that first on the Roosevelt. I will have to get a coffee warmer. Thanks!
 

I hit the beach for some coin shooting. I was finding mostly clad when I got a steady tone with a fairly consistent 20 VDI on the Equinox. I dug the hole expecting another Lincoln cent when I spotted a tiny coin. Although grey from 170 years or so in the saltwater, I quickly recognized it as a capped bust half dime, my first capped silver of any denomination. It is dated 1837, which I believe was the last year it was minted. It is counterstamped with a ‘5,’ perhaps to distinguish it from a dime? I wish it was in better shape, but I can’t complain, as I just love digging history. Also found a 1956 silver dime and a few wheats. Not sure what the round ornate object is, or the silver/glass charm. Happy hunting and good luck out there.View attachment 2024034View attachment 2024035View attachment 2024036View attachment 2024037View attachment 2024038
Whatever it is, I like it! It was just waiting there for you to rescue it.
 

old vid
if you blink you might miss it but pewter plate identical
to yours in middle of finds
 

Great finds congrats on the early 5 Cent Piece. :notworthy:
This is an interesting piece, I found almost an identical one a few years ago on a c1830 homestead site. Any theories on what it may have come from? Your find is in the last pic for comparison.
 

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old vid
if you blink you might miss it but pewter plate identical
to yours in middle of finds

Thanks! That looks like a great beach. I think I saw the find just below the gold rings in the top center. Any guesses what yours was?
 

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