Hey Crusader, I can get Hammered, too! Great Weekend in the Field of Dreams

[oxbowbarefoot]

Note: Edited with corrected info, thanks Silver Searcher!

Spent the weekend detecting in the Field of Dreams with fellow TNet-ers Greylock, Casper, Worldtalker, and BrokenKnee.

Saturday's hunt was phenomenal with 4 silvers and a sweet Indian Celt. Checked another American Silver off my list with the 1853 Seated Half dime (too bad I nicked it), got a 1890 Seated Dime, a 1853 3-Cent Silver, and a Colonial Silver ring (no markings). Best find of the day for me was the Indian Celt. Its in really nice shape for being found in a plow zone. Found the baby turtle in the middle of the field, looked like the plow disturbed the nest. Unfortunately, it was too late to save him.

Today I managed a few more goodies. My very first signal of the day was a sweet 1753 (I think) King George Copper. After about another 3 feet I got a faint blip that sounded and read like can slaw. I've dug a lot a great targets at this location that sound like trash, so I decided to dig it. I flipped the dirt pile over, scanned it with my AT-Pro and got a solid 52 in the pile. My first handful held the signal. I saw the shimmer of silver as I looked though the dirt. A second look and I saw a cross staring at me. I though I had found my first Spanish Cob, but it was too thin for that. Upon a closer inspection, I could tell that the coin wasn't Spanish, I was looking at a Charles 1st Hammered Silver Penny! Got a few nice buttons, a couple Crotal Bells and some other cool stuff that I'll post later on.

I can't believe I just found an early 1600's English Hammered Silver coin in Western Massachusetts! This coin was found in the same field that I found my Oak Tree Shilling and 4 or 5 William III Coppers. The area was settled in the 1650's.

Can anyone give me anymore specific information on this coin? I will try to get some better pics once I get the dirt off.

 

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[Silver Searcher]

I just noticed you use the XP Deus, did you find the hammered with this detector?

 

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[oxbowbarefoot]

I just noticed you use the XP Deus, did you find the hammered with this detector?

I found it with my AT Pro. I found my Pine Tree and Oak Tree Shillings with my Deus. The AT Pro is a little easier to maneuver in the corn stalks since I have the large coin on the Deus, and I felt it was important to keep my skills sharp with my ATP. The hammered sounded like a piece of chopped up aluminum can but smoother and crisper. Meter read 52 at 6 or 8 inches.

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Well as you can imagine I clean quite a few of these, and always use lemon juice and tooth paste, this takes it right back and makes it look shiny, I then drop it in bleach which turns it black, the black can easily be removed as much as you want to, to reveal the details. Cleaning the obverse might give you a closer date by the bust type.

SS

I'll have to give that method a whirl. I may try it out on a few junk US silver first until I get the hang out it though. I was using the bust type to try and get a better idea, I can see it under magnification much better than the pictures show. Thanks for the pointers! I'm hoping a few more turn up at this site, I know they are there waiting for me.

 

[Silver Searcher]

I found it with my AT Pro. I found my Pine Tree and Oak Tree Shillings with my Deus. The AT Pro is a little easier to maneuver in the corn stalks since I have the large coin on the Deus, and I felt it was important to keep my skills sharp with my ATP. The hammered sounded like a piece of chopped up aluminum can but smoother and crisper. Meter read 52 at 6 or 8 inches.

If you use the deus, try the deus fast setting, go into the discrimination settings, and then change the tones to pitch...the coins will scream at you, especially hammered.

 

[Silver Searcher]

I'll have to give that method a whirl. I may try it out on a few junk US silver first until I get the hang out it though. I was using the bust type to try and get a better idea, I can see it under magnification much better than the pictures show. Thanks for the pointers! I'm hoping a few more turn up at this site, I know they are there waiting for me.

I'm almost certain it's group D, fourth bust type, 1632-40, it's obvious by the clipping it was in circulation a while over here, before it's journey.

SS

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

If you use the deus, try the deus fast setting, go into the discrimination settings, and then change the tones to pitch...the coins will scream at you, especially hammred.

I haven't experimented with the settings too much, I generally use GM Power, run the sensitivity until it just starts to chatter then back off one, get a good ground balance and then swing away. I know the machine is capable of a lot more than the way I use it. Does it run deeper with the settings you recommended or does it just offer better target ID and separation? Will it work in trashy areas or is it better in clean fields?

 

[Silver Searcher]

I'll have to give that method a whirl. I may try it out on a few junk US silver first until I get the hang out it though. I was using the bust type to try and get a better idea, I can see it under magnification much better than the pictures show. Thanks for the pointers! I'm hoping a few more turn up at this site, I know they are there waiting for me.

You need a thick bleach, the thinner types don't get the same deep black effect, I use house hold demestos.

SS

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Hmm, can I mix up a stronger bleach solution by using powdered bleach? Otherwise I will pick up some of the type your mentioned. Thanks again!

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

I've found a few clipped coins over here too, but your probably right about the clipping being done before it was carried over. How would you recommend I clean it? I know its not a particularly valuable coin numismatically speaking, so I wouldn't mind trying to bring out some detail...

Jason - everybody has their own personal preference for cleaning silver coins, but I would never use any harsh chemicals or anything that would give it a fakey shine. I always use light electrolysis, and my setup uses a small battery charger (like for a cell phone), a stainless steel spoon and a weak baking soda solution. I let it run for a minute or so then check it. Many times the black tarnish will come off quickly when rubbing the coin between your thumb and forefinger. If its not ready to come off after the first attempt just repeat the process until you get the results you're looking for. But sometimes I just leave as is since a light black tarnish in spots will actually enhance the details. Based on what your coin looks like in its dug condition I would recommend going the electrolysis route. Just my 2 cents .....

 

[Silver Searcher]

I haven't experimented with the settings too much, I generally use GM Power, run the sensitivity until it just starts to chatter then back off one, get a good ground balance and then swing away. I know the machine is capable of a lot more than the way I use it. Does it run deeper with the settings you recommended or does it just offer better target ID and separation? Will it work in trashy areas or is it better in clean fields?

If you are on pasture then the relic setting is all you need, for trashy areas you want the XP Goldmaxx power setting, you should be able to boost it up to 18KHZ. But be warned the Deus loves tin foil, and the burnt coke that appears on out fields here as well, I'm trying to find out which setting/function will filter foil and the coke out.

SS

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Bill,
I will try both methods on some dug US coins first. I've done electrolysis during science lessons for my students, but I haven't tried the lemon juice process. Thank you for the alternative method.

Silver Searcher,
I dig a lot of coke no matter what machine I use. Same goes for foil. I can usually tell the coke because of the inconsistent readings, but since some good targets behave similarly, I dig it all. I will have to give the Relic and Goldmaxx Power settings a try. I just got used to the GMPower meter readings and tones, so thats what I stuck with. It's time to move out of my comfort zone! Thanks for the info!

-Ox

 

[Silver Searcher]

Bill,
I will try both methods on some dug US coins first. I've done electrolysis during science lessons for my students, but I haven't tried the lemon juice process. Thank you for the alternative method.

Silver Searcher,
I dig a lot of coke no matter what machine I use. Same goes for foil. I can usually tell the coke because of the inconsistent readings, but since some good targets behave similarly, I dig it all. I will have to give the Relic and Goldmaxx Power settings a try. I just got used to the GMPower meter readings and tones, so thats what I stuck with. It's time to move out of my comfort zone! Thanks for the info!

-Ox

And that's exactly what I do to, dig it all the scratchy signals that coke give can sound just like a crudded up hammered

SS

 

[Silver Searcher]

Bill,
I will try both methods on some dug US coins first. I've done electrolysis during science lessons for my students, but I haven't tried the lemon juice process. Thank you for the alternative method.

Silver Searcher,
I dig a lot of coke no matter what machine I use. Same goes for foil. I can usually tell the coke because of the inconsistent readings, but since some good targets behave similarly, I dig it all. I will have to give the Relic and Goldmaxx Power settings a try. I just got used to the GMPower meter readings and tones, so thats what I stuck with. It's time to move out of my comfort zone! Thanks for the info!

-Ox

I've done electrolysis during science lessons for my students, but I haven't tried the lemon juice process. Thank you for the alternative method.

I won't use this method on hammered now, unless it is a really bad one and not worth much. Hammered are thin and easily fried, and it some times leaves pitting. I guarantee the bleach or lemon juice won't hurt it any at all, no matter how long you leave it in there.

SS

 

[robfinds]

Electrolisis is great for hammered coins, If you don't have a machine cooking foil (aluminium) will work. Just wet the coin with water and rap it tightly in foil. You will hear and smell the coin begin to clean. After a minute wash the coin, and repeat the process if needed. This is a safe non destructive method, a machine though is better.

Robert.

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Electrolisis is great for hammered coins, If you don't have a machine cooking foil (aluminium) will work. Just wet the coin with water and rap it tightly in foil. You will hear and smell the coin begin to clean. After a minute wash the coin, and repeat the process if needed. This is a safe non destructive method, a machine though is better.

Robert.

Thank you for your advice rob finds! I'm experimenting with electrolysis on some toasty Mercury dimes now, just to get some practice. I will try the method Silver Searcher mentioned with some other common silvers first as well.

 

[CASPER-2]

IT HAS THE SAME COLOR AS YOUR OAK FROM SAME FIELD - I WOULD NOT CLEAN IT AT ALL
I USED TO SHINE EVERYTHING UP WHEN I WAS YOUNGER - I THINK THEY LOOK BETTER AS FOUND
ONLY CLEAN IF COIN IS BEAT AND HAVE TO TO IDENTIFY

YOU DID NOT SHOW YOUR CROTAL - ANY MAKERS MARKS ON IT ?

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

IT HAS THE SAME COLOR AS YOUR OAK FROM SAME FIELD - I WOULD NOT CLEAN IT AT ALL
I USED TO SHINE EVERYTHING UP WHEN I WAS YOUNGER - I THINK THEY LOOK BETTER AS FOUND
ONLY CLEAN IF COIN IS BEAT AND HAVE TO TO IDENTIFY

YOU DID NOT SHOW YOUR CROTAL - ANY MAKERS MARKS ON IT ?

The Crotal bell doesn't have any markings as far as I can see yet. Once I get it cleaned up, I'll do a relic post of some recent finds. As far as cleaning the hammered, I don't want to make it look new, I would just like to bring out a little detail to see the bust better so I can narrow the date. I did have some success with my simple electrolysis machine I made last night with the dirty Mercury dimes, but I wouldn't use it yet on the hammered. I am comfortable using foil and baking soda for 30 seconds at a time bring out the contrast between the high and low areas. I don't want to loose the purple tone, as I enjoy that look on old silver.

 

[Jeff H]

More stellar digs Oxbow ! Congrats on some awesome finds.

 

[CASPER-2]

have you thought about trying electrolysis on the ring ?

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

have you thought about trying electrolysis on the ring ?

I'd live to keep the patina that it has, though I suspect that Argentium was correct in that it is likely brass. under natural light the exposed metal looks brassy rathe than silver.