More research, new spot, day with Mirage and Nate=Seated dime and more!!

Danimal

Bronze Member
Aug 16, 2006
1,142
165
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Detector(s) used
duh...duh... DFX
Without giving up TOO much information (and thus leading to my contact getting lots of phone calls and being bothered, something he expressed hesitation in when granting me permission) I have located a great new area to hunt, albeit one that's 2+ hours away.
This area is a Methodist Camp-Meeting ground that has been active since the early 1800s. I was able to secure the go-ahead to hunt there anytime I please. The area was supposedly hunted heavily in the 80's, but we all know no area is ever hunted out (but MAN I can imagine what was found back then!)
The day began with Bob and Nate arriving at my house at 7:30am and after coffee and bagels sandwiches we were off. Several hours later we arrived and were introduced to the groundskeeper who lives year round on site. He took us to the history building where we saw many photos dating back to the early days of photography showing hundreds of horse and buggies sitting where my Honda Element was parked! He then went outside and pointed out some of the other features including a wooded hillside where the elders used to go and pray.
We then suited up and each wandered off in our own direction as the camp area is close to 30 acres and includes many cottages, most dating back around 1900.
Wheaties appeared first (my real goal was a large cent ;D) and the after a while I pulled a 42 Merc. Bob then hit a Merc himself and then a silver Rosie. Wheats were fairly plentiful as well as modern clad and do-dads (some prety old looking) but the very-old coins remained elusive for the first few hours.
As I started working between the cottages in the narrow lanes I hit a banging dime target. From only 3" or so I saw the seated liberty looking back from the bottom of the hole! This is only my second seated coin, a 1877CC dime (also my first CC minted coin!)
As I troted out to show Nate and Bob, Bob was walking towards us with a smile on HIS face. I shouted out that I had found a Seated Dime and he smiled and pulled an IH cent from his pocket...SWEET!!
Nothing more silver-wise for me but a few more thingamabobs...
Right as we were about to leave and investigate a stagecoach stop/tavern site the groundskeeper said was a few miles away, Nate strolls up the way Nate does and pulls a Walker from his pocket!...now everyone had silver and Nate's first silver of 2007 is a half!. Some of my wheats were old ones...1919D, 1913, 1920.
Stopped at Robert Evans for dinner on the way home and each went into their restroom to carefully wash our silver off and look at them closer.
Hope you enjoyed the recollection and these pictures!

BTW, as it has caused certain TNet member to question the validity of the Seated Dime Let me explain that the picture of the dime in the hole was taken more than 10 minutes after the coin was pulled from the hole. The dirt still stuck to the coin had plenty of time to dry. In fact, after trotting over to show Nate and Bob the coin, I even stopped at my car for some hot coffee before returning to the hole. Before I filled the hole and continued hunting I put the dime in the hole for the picture because I LIKE closeups of coins with fresh dirt as the background. I think it makes for a great contrast and a good picture. Nowhere did I ever state that the picture was taken before the coin was removed from the hole.
To those that scrutinize people's posts to this level looking for fakers I say this: If you ever have doubts about someone's honesty I suggest discussing it in private through PMs or emails, not posting a public accusation.


general view of the grounds and some of the cottages:
1-20hunt 004.jpg
More cottages:
1-20hunt 005.jpg
1877CC dime in bottom of hole!
1-20hunt 006.jpg
Three Amigos at afternoon's end:
1-20hunt 008.jpg
Bob and Nate at Robt. Evans
1-20hunt 011.jpg
All our silver and Bob's IH at Bob Evans:
1-20hunt 012.jpg
Finds cleaned up, including old tube of rubber cement that was rolled up and old ring missing stone and other whats-its:
1-20hunt 001.jpg
Obverse:
1-20hunt 002.jpg
Reverse (CC mint mark!)
1-20hunt 003.jpg

HH all!
 

Upvote 0
Thats a great place to hunt and great finds as well. Tsgman
 

Congrats to all of you on a great hunt. With thirty acres, you had alot of ground to cover.Was there any type of swimming area?.
 

Wow.....great hunt. I love the grounds and cottages. Looks like you boys had a blast. And you were rewarded with goodies too!! Doesn't get any better than that. Thanks for all the pics.....make me feel like I was there.....uh, except for the part of sharing the wealth! :-\

WTG!
Moon
 

Nice work guys..I thoroughly enjoyed the story and excellent photos.

Nat
 

What a blast you guys are having! It's great to be able to hunt with friends and to find silver, too! :)

Keep it up! :)
 

Great job on the research and gaining permission to hunt that site.It's definitely a far cry from being hunted out by the looks of the awesome finds you three have made.
Nice on site photos and write up. I hope you have continued good luck there. HH!
 

WOW, great place to hunt. You guys are going to have a real field day. Great finds there.
 

Holy smokes! I'm coming up North. What a great day you guys had. Thanks for the pictures.
-MM-
 

awsome! Congrats. ;)
 

Way to go guys! From the looks of those cottages, many have been sided; did you find lots of little aluminum slivers? Look forward to more stories from this site!
 

halfdime said:
Way to go guys! From the looks of those cottages, many have been sided; did you find lots of little aluminum slivers? Look forward to more stories from this site!

OMG Halfdime!...working between some of the sided cottages was near impossible due to all the small cut squares and triangles of aluminum, not to mention the siding nails!
I think the next few visits I will pick a couple rows of the oldest cottages and clear them of ALL targets, being far less selective in digging. I am sure that some older deeper targets were masked.
 

Nice finds guys. You've been putting in a lot of time researching. I'm glad it is paying off for ya. Good luck out there for next time.
 

Hey Danimal,
Excellent location you found there. Thank you so much for taking the time to share the experience with photos and everything. The first question I had was...

...I wonder if there's a camp like that near me? Maybe I should do some research too. ;)

I must admit. The "dirt" question had me scratching my head. Maybe that guy would care to explain it.


Cheers!


Ridley
 

It appears to me that all 3 of you in the photos are smiling. Can you explain?
:D :D

Nat
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top