Gold in the hole! Or not...

[Fugio]

Gold in the hole! UPDATE: FIRST GOLD!

So I was out hunting at three different locations today. In the first two locations, I found all the clad. I just hate finding quarters from 1965! One year away from the goods!(always drives me nuts). Moving on, I went off to a new spot out in the woods maybe 200 yards off the train tracks in the middle of nowhere. Very few signals, great stable ground. Then I get a signal around the nickel range on the Tesoro so I dig. I flip the plug over, and gold! However, after looking the piece over, I saw what looked like quite a bit of corrosion so I had my doubts. After coming home and cleaning the piece up, there is definitely quite a bit of corrosion and toning and no markings on the piece. One thing I can't figure is why the center piece right out of the hole is so clean. Has anyone ever encountered this before? No gold this time...but there's always tomorrow! If anyone has any observations or any idea what time period this brooch may have been made, all input is welcome.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Cry Of The Eagle: History And Legends Of The Cherokee Indians And Their Buried Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[GA_Boy]

Congratulations. You had a very nice hunt.
Marvin

 

[trapperart]

Nice finds congrats

 

[Fugio]

Thanks guys. I'm definitely happy overall. If anything this certainly tells me there is more to be found in this location. I like the brooch, just wish it was made of our favorite yellow metal

 

[Duckman Willcox]

Two thoughts 1. Could it have been a bezel for a coin. Have you acid tested just the center for gold?

 

[Fugio]

I have not yet tested it. Behind the denticles around the center piece it looks like there is corrosion there too so I doubt it. I think I might take it to our amazing estate jewelry store near by and have them take a peek. They specialize in antique jewelry like this.

 

[Texas Ed]

Great finds & congrats! Definitely a good days hunt & wish you many more.

Texas ED

 

[OutdoorAdv]

That's a really cool Brooch! One reason it looked they was it did could be that the frame part was just gold plated, but the center piece could be gold filled (rolled gold). I've found lots of plated stuff and a few gold filled things.... The gold filled is gold that's been rolled between a brass base metal, so the gold is much thicker than playing.

 

[ARC]

On first glance...
I will call this "gold filled"... but ?

Center piece has more of "gold look" than the "frame" IMO.

 

[Trezurehunter]

Its a real nice looking piece.

 

[Fugio]

Thanks for all the comments and input guys. I think you may be right when you say it could be gold filled. The center piece definitely has a different "look" to it, not to mention the lack of any corrosion. When I get it checked out, I will update with the experts opinion. I think this could be a good spot I'm on...Anyone have any idea on possible age?

 

[treblehunter]

Cool find, any gold always gets my fever to rise. Keep looking, it will appear.

 

[Fugio]

If the centerpiece is mother of pearl, it won't corrode or tarnish.

It's certainly a metal of some type. I am leaning towards gold filled or plated due to all the hairlines that appeared from a light cleaning with only a toothbrush. Whatever it is, it is soft.

 

[Fugio]

Time for an update! I just got back from the jewelry store and despite my reservations, I found my first gold! It turns out the center of the piece is 14k gold! The frame she said is most likely a plate or gold filled. I can't believe my second time out this year I hit my first gold! Yea baby!

 

[dirtwizard]

congrats on your first gold find thats awesome!

I hear ya on the '65 quarters. I searched over 100 dollars in quarters last night hoping to spot a silver. not a single one, but lots of 1965s.

 

[Fugio]

Thanks Buddy! I think 1965 is quite possibly the worst year in coinage history...