How Not To Dig A Key Date Coin, Or Please!, Cry For Me Argentina.

curbdiggercarl57

Silver Member
Nov 19, 2007
4,362
1,043
Largo, Florida
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
Whites Silver Eagle, DFX, Shadow X-2
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Our little area of pleasure out here in Denver seems to be coming to an end. There are still days left to detect, but most of the major digging by the construction workers is completed. They are mainly starting the leveling process of the park, in preparation for sodding. But they will still scrape isolated areas, and we follow the large machines avidly, like children of Summer following a ice cream truck, waiting for a break to dart in and out of their paths. Scanning the newly exposed area, we have only a few seconds before the next backhoe appears. The workers have seemed to have made a game of all of this. They delight in our anguish. They laugh among themselves taking great pleasure in our frustration.

But still, we struggle on, knowing full well that any day a token or a Seated coin could be recovered.

I had promised The Dark One that I would drive him to the site. He had recently moved, and it took some time to find his new area of squatting. He apparently hadn't time to tag the latest dumpster with his cryptic markings, and his drunken, rambling directions were really no help at all. I knew from previous attempts at searching for him certain tricks for locating. He has a mole like inclination to accept the darkest areas of the alleys, so this is where I first hunted. Seeing a pair of muddy work boots attached to a pair of spindly legs lying sprawled next to a bright green trash receptacle, I quickly surmised that it was he. It was. After shaking him back to consciousness, he fell into the back seat of my car. He is no longer allowed in the front seat, for past experiences have taught me this valuable lesson. He immediately started to drink from a brown paper bag. He explained that it was a complex wine of great perfume, with well integrated tannins, and hinting of rose and tar, with a long finish. I explained that it was a screw cap bottle of Mad Dog, and would be next to impossible to get the stains out of my faux leather interior. Once again, we agreed to disagree.
But I digress.
Again.

We arrived at the park to see it swarming with other detectorists. T.D.O. started screaming at them to get off his property. They know of him, and quickly moved to the outer regions to avoid him. But knowing that the workers also avoid him, I hunted somewhat close to him. After about a hour of hunting, I finally received a decent signal on the DFX, reading in the seventies. I dug a large hole, (I'm stressing this part), and soon saw a Wheatie lying in the pile. I could see a small glint of shiny copper, from where I had scrapped it. Oh well, no biggie, it's only a Wheatie. I bent down and retrieved it. Looking at the date, by blood pressure plummeted. I screamed, actually screamed. The Dark One and another detectorist ran over to see what was wrong. I showed them the coin. The one detectorist shook his head in sympathy, T.D.O., well, he just laughed. And laughed. I cried. I still cry.
It has since gone into the Whitman folder, my only consolation is that one more vacant space has been filled. I am down to only needing 9 more dirty pennies to complete the first set of Wheaties. But late at night I swear that I hear its mocking voice, calling me to damage it further.
The only other item I dug appears to be a WW1 era British lapel or hat pin. It says “Royal Warwickshire”, in a blue/black enameling.
Carl
 

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fathead said:
Is your middle name Wilkes?

Thanks for making that date even more rare!


All kidding aside, your hard core hunting techniques are putting you in a position to get coins that no one else will have a chance to dig.

Keep on keepin on,

Fathead

Now that was funny! I decided that from now on, before I detect, I take a spare
Wheatie from the extra's jug, and beat it mercilessly to get all frustrations out of my system. Zen. As well as dig holes the size of small, outdoor, ceramic bird baths. Really big holes, that's the ticket!
Carl

Or just soak it in green food coloring, for St. Patty's Day.
 

Maybe you could just mark your targets with spray paint and have the machine operators dig them.

FH
 

OUCH! that sux! :crybaby2:
 

Yeah that really sucks and it has tons of detail too. Well, looks like it's time to Ebay it and get what you can for it.
 

that the way it goes we all have done it but never with a 14d but I have never found one either Nice find congrats HH
 

Yikes....sorry dude.
Hey, but isn't it kinda better to have dug one and damage it then to never have dug one at all?


TG
 

You have got to be kidding me. That thing looks like it was lost uncirculated. But hey, it STILL looks sweet. Heck of a find. Congrats!
 

fathead said:
Maybe you could just mark your targets with spray paint and have the machine operators dig them.

FH

I know a very few operators I would trust to do that, some of those guys are that good.
 

Don't feel bad. I recovered a 1890 V Nickel today and scratched it with my Lesche. We are in the same boat. Although your boat is just a little bit bigger than mine. Thats all.
 

Great story and just goes to show how we all are human. If you have never cut one in half you have not been hunting long. Enjoyed the post and the reality of it all.
TnMtns
 

plehbah said:
CurbDiggerCarl- do you believe that this "happening" lends credence to the rumors of the existence of a vortex of evil power that affects metal detectorists all over the Denver metro area?

I do.

I think this might signal the end of metal detecting in Denver. The skies are darkening now.

Yes.
Either that, or Karma rearing its head because I forgot to feed my neighbors dog all last summer when she went out of town.
 

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Carl,
I have to say I enjoyed your entry
delivery
and the final ...

Buddy.
I am soooo sorry the 14D got scuffed.
Send me a price for it.
I will accept or decline.

Nice find otherwise. Hope you find a bunch more.
Thom
 

That's a really great pin, Carl. ;D :wink: Sorry 'bout your wheat. :-\ Get back out there and find another! :icon_thumright:

Nana :hello:
 

Not to add salt in the penny wound but it actually was in really good shape, looking past the scrape. At the very least, you get to fill that spot in the holder. Since I actually like wheat cents no matter what the year, I'd have been happy. But then again, I haven't been hunting for 2 1/2 months so I might be delirious too. Get some silver and you'll feel better!
 

Colonial Copper Zeus said:
Sorry CDC. I feel for ya buddy. I once signed a 1794 Liberty Cap Large Cent with a chisle. >:( :thumbsup:
Chris


Better fine tune those skills! We don't want to have to create a Numismatics of Death video forum. ;D
 

plehbah said:
Iron Patch said:
Colonial Copper Zeus said:
Sorry CDC. I feel for ya buddy. I once signed a 1794 Liberty Cap Large Cent with a chisle. >:( :thumbsup:
Chris


Better fine tune those skills! We don't want to have to create a Numismatics of Death video forum. ;D

I think you just nailed it. We need a forum of the greatest heartbreaks we have encountered. The worst of the worst. The moments when you found the find of a lifetime which through some twist of fate or detached piece becomes nothing more than a shameful reminder of human mortality.


We need a forum to contain stories of heartbreak from people digging squatty little holes in parks. We need a forum to act as a mausoleum for all finds like this '14-D dirty penny. This '14-D dirty penny cannot be alllowed to have died in vain, or horrifically maimed in vain; depending on how you see it.

Is that scuff on the obverse the entrance or exit wound?


So, can I get a "Pity-Banner"? In my youth I was lucky enough to get a few pity-sumpins, now I'll take whatever I can get.
Carl
 

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