Hay cut reveals more buttons, buckles, and possible counterfeit coin

[Tommy G]

Well, they cut the hay fields again that surround one of my favorite sites, a 1756 home that has produced countless buttons, coppers, and other relics over the past two years. This site is minutes from my house. The original plantation was around 300 acres, but has since been subdivided into adjacent farms. The great thing is that the owners on both sides of the honey hole allow me to hunt their land too, so this is a career site for me that gives up goodies on every hunt. Found a few more buttons, a nice small buckle frame, a 1923 Buff, and what looks like half a silver coin. If whole, this would be the size of a silver dollar. Out of the hole, is rings up a solid 70 on the AT Pro, so definitely not full silver. A magnet does not stick to it either. Appears to be a possible mixture of lead and something else. It has been holed, but you can see some letters and what appears to be a faint bust facing right on one side. Also appears to be a partial date at the bottom "86". Not sure what this is, but I figure it is most likely a counterfeit of some variety. Thanks for looking, and I welcome your comments on the mystery coin.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[OutdoorAdv]

SWEET! If its the size of a silver dollar then its half of an 1786 8 reales It could be ringing up lower because its cut in an odd shape... or it could be counterfeit. Either way, awesome find!

 

[vpnavy]

Anything you pull out of the ground is a great find! Thanks for sharing...

 

[Tommy G]

SWEET! If its the size of a silver dollar then its half of an 1786 8 reales It could be ringing up lower because its cut in an odd shape... or it could be counterfeit. Either way, awesome find!

View attachment 1350494

Definitely silver dollar size, and from the photo you provided, looks like a match. I'd never considered the possibility that the odd shape might affect the reading. Looks like I need to buy a test kit!

 

[OutdoorAdv]

Definitely silver dollar size, and from the photo you provided, looks like a match. I'd never considered the possibility that the odd shape might affect the reading. Looks like I need to buy a test kit!

It's tough to tell in the picture... the obverse has some areas, such as where the hole is punched, that make it look like its a plated piece of base metal (counterfeit). However, the reverse has black silver oxide areas that make it look genuine. Perhaps where it's cracked where the hole was punched through is a telltail sign that its counterfeit? Hopefully you get some other comments from people with more experience with counterfeit coins.

If in person it doesn't look like its plated, then you can probably tell that its silver without having to buy a test kit. I'd be gentle and cautious with any preservation method used. Its its genuine, Buckleboy has a nice writeup on using a chemical reaction to reverse the blackened silver oxide without using any abrasive method. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/cleaning-preservation/442189-how-clean-blackened-silver-coins.html Some just do a soak in diluted lemon juice. I'd probably wait and figure out if its real or not before deciding on any method to preserve it.

 

[DownNDirty]

Excellent find, real or counterfeit-congratulations!

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on a nice find good luck

 

[Tommy G]

It's tough to tell in the picture... the obverse has some areas, such as where the hole is punched, that make it look like its a plated piece of base metal (counterfeit). However, the reverse has black silver oxide areas that make it look genuine. Perhaps where it's cracked where the hole was punched through is a telltail sign that its counterfeit? Hopefully you get some other comments from people with more experience with counterfeit coins.

If in person it doesn't look like its plated, then you can probably tell that its silver without having to buy a test kit. I'd be gentle and cautious with any preservation method used. Its its genuine, Buckleboy has a nice writeup on using a chemical reaction to reverse the blackened silver oxide without using any abrasive method. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/cleaning-preservation/442189-how-clean-blackened-silver-coins.html Some just do a soak in diluted lemon juice. I'd probably wait and figure out if its real or not before deciding on any method to preserve it.

Thanks, Outdoor. It doesn't look plated to me, but rather badly worn and tarnished. I have quite a few silvers that need to be cleaned anyway, so I had planned on using the Buckleboy method. It will be my first time trying this, so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

 

[sutphin]

LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE GOT NAILED TO A BEAM , NEEET FIND .

 

[OutdoorAdv]

Thanks, Outdoor. It doesn't look plated to me, but rather badly worn and tarnished. I have quite a few silvers that need to be cleaned anyway, so I had planned on using the Buckleboy method. It will be my first time trying this, so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Everyone will have an opinion or method when a tarnished or crusty silver surfaces! I personally like the less-is-more approach and since you cant undo a preservation method once its done, I will typically hold off until I figure how how to proceed. I have used Buckleboys method on more modern silver though. I tried it on a Bust Half, 2 reales, 1 real spill, however what was on those coins wasnt silver oxide, so I ended up doing light electrolysis on them. Some very knowledgeable members have had great results with a lemon juice bath too. Counterfeit or genuine, either way this is a special find.

 

[james-florida]

Nice Finds! Hopefully that spot will produce for a long time to come!