Long Overdue Hunt: 1797 Draped Bust - No Stems!

[West Jersey Detecting]

It's been a long time since I really got out. Sure, I've hit the schoolyards and landed a few silvers here and there, but I really hadn't hit any of my good sites for a long time until this week.

It's been more than a year since returning to a piece of privately owned land that I have permission to detect. I've done well with more than 25 large coppers over the years, but like they say, no site is ever hunted out.

I didn't have any good signals until I got a solid hit in the high 80's on my T2, at about 9 inches so I knew it would be something good...especially when it was deeper than the plug I pulled out.



I knew right away it was a large cent and I could make out "MER" in America, but I was guessing Matron Head. It wasn't until I got home and lightly cleaned it with some hydrogen peroxide that I realized it was a Draped Bust.


Little by little with some careful cleaning I got the date, and finally realized it was one of the scarce "no stem" variety. Don in South Jersey finally gave me the ID on it and it turned out to be even better than I anticipated...the rare Sheldon 133 variety! And in great shape!



The soil was kind to this one! Thanks to Don for his help with the ID!!

 

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[terpfan]

What a sweet coin, and sensibly cleaned!

 

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[I-DIG-IT]

Nice digs.

 

[park pirate]

Very nice shape..

 

[Mach1Pilot]

That's one that you will remember for a long time. Nice coin!

 

[The Rebel]

That's one BEAUTIFUL Coin! Love the Patina!

 

[stewielouie]

Congrats on that sweet coin, the ground was very kind on that one!

 

[treblehunter]

Congrats, she is a pretty lady!

 

[cjon455]

Ooh she's a looker!, great coin, nice work!!

 

[70monte68]

Great find Neil! Nice condition and love the patina on that one.

 

[Silver Tree Chaser]

That's a great early Large Cent recovery. Great patina.

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Thanks everyone! FYI, I returned to the site yesterday and worked concentric circles from the site for about 3 hours and didn't get a single positive signal! It's one of those "pounded out" sites that I'll put on the back burner for a few more years.