New 1600s site produces silver coin

[Bill D. (VA)]

But not the kind I was looking for. This is a site I researched last summer that was high on my priority list. There was a mill at this location on the CW era maps, and I was able to trace occupation at the site back to the mid-to-late 1600s. The soybeans weren’t cut until late Jan for some reason, and I didn’t get a chance to knock on the door until a couple weeks ago. After getting permission I walked out in this small field and up the front face of this really nice looking knoll. At that point I started getting into a little bit of iron, and I was quite excited at the prospects for this place. But after 2.5 hours of hunting that first day the finds were extremely disappointing, and very few and far between. I almost wrote it off that day, but decided to go back for another visit this afternoon. Spent another 3.5 hours there and most of that time was spent gridding the top of the knoll. After finding virtually nothing there I slowly made my way down one of the sides of the knoll and eventually got a great hit in the low-to-mid 80s on my F75. And it was very deep too. I figured it was either a copper or a large silver coin. I finally threw it out of the hole after digging down 12” to recover it, and saw a large silver disk glaring through the sandy soil. I was hoping for a 2 reale or something comparable, but wasn’t real pleased when I saw that I had a SLQ. But it was in great shape with very sharp detail so all was not lost. A little later I dug parts of a 1600s buckle and 1700s barrel tap which confirmed the age of the site. I also found a spoon bowl that doesn't appear to be very old, but it does have an interesting mark on it. Anyone recognize that one? It’s like the place had been hunted to death, but the owner had told me he had lived there right next to the field for 40-50 years and had never seen anyone with a detector there. Guess I’ll try and hit it one more time before planting starts as there’s always the chance for a nice little cut piece to pop out at any time.

 

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[Bill D. (VA)]

The last time I dug a SLQ was back in the 1990s. And it was dateless. I'd take a nice one any day. Sure, we're out for the older stuff, but it's a nice surprise.

Looks like there's some possibility there in terms of the age of the place.

Cheers,

Buck

It does have possibilities, but they're very slim. The site is only 5-10 acres, and I've already spent 6 hours hunting it. Obviously the quantity is not going to be there, but maybe a nice one will randomly show up if I decide to take the time to thoroughly hunt it..

 

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[steelheadwill]

Excellent Finds.
early round or fig shaped spoons are not often marked, yours is a beauty.
not necessarily a Trifid, could be an earlier slip top, puritan or apostle, I believe that the later designs handle cross section becomes more triangular, late trifids to dognose.
I have three marked bowls, different types, all the same mark, three spoons in a circle of dots with letters aside.
Someone gave me this page of latten/pewter spoon marks, hopefully they may see your post and supply the page with your mark.

Hope you get the kind of silver you are looking for HH, Herbie

View attachment 767129

 

[CRUSADER]

True, it could be a slip top style but although this spoon has the markings in the same style & place of the early/contemporary pewter types, this is plated copper-alloy.

 

[steelheadwill]

I thought Latten was used along with pewter for 16/17th C spoons....
I know the metal looks like eroded sheffield plate, it's shape and size say early.....

 

[Shawn1972]

WOW nice standing liberty

 

[CRUSADER]

I thought Latten was used along with pewter for 16/17th C spoons....

Yes, I guess it could be a brass-alloy. I have seen so many varying looking metals, I think they used all sorts.

 

[steelheadwill]

Yes, I guess it could be a brass-alloy. I have seen so many varying looking metals, I think they used all sorts.

Identical alloys can look a LOT different depending on the environment.
imho, most large fig shape or round bowls are 'early' (for 'New World' finds).
Though one of the '3 spoon' bowls I have is the shape and size of a modern teaspoon, and very thin.
Regarding 'all sorts of metal', I agree, casting often involved the use of whatever scrap was handy.
Just for the lust, here's a silver spoon ca 1650 made by John Hull, designer of the Mass Silver Coinage.
Best wishes on your future digs Bill

 

[63bkpkr]

Bill D,
I will be waiting to read what happens when you try out the larger coil. It will be interesting to see if the ability to use a variety of different coils at one site makes the difference 'again'!............63bkpkr

 

[CASPER-2]

Thanks Casper. I thought that was nothing more than a cheap silver plated spoon bowl from the 1800s. Weren't most of the trefid spoons made of silver? I tried looking up the maker's mark online and didn't have any luck. There's definitely a "D" there with what looks like the image of some kind of small bird. Guess I'll post it over on the "What Is It" forum and see if someone can positively ID it. Thanks again for your input.

A lot of the ones you see for sale in the UK are silver
ones we get over here are plated brass - they called it silver wash
pic of my complete one

I have found many back pieces-middle pieces and bowl pieces too
most are pre 1700s supposedly
Hey was doing 2 things at once and found your mark and might have found one for myself
Old base metal spoons - Frederick George Hilton Price - Google Books

go to page 45 - you will find your bird

 

[CASPER-2]

oh - yours would be made of latten

 

[CASPER-2]

Identical alloys can look a LOT different depending on the environment.
imho, most large fig shape or round bowls are 'early' (for 'New World' finds).
Though one of the '3 spoon' bowls I have is the shape and size of a modern teaspoon, and very thin.
Regarding 'all sorts of metal', I agree, casting often involved the use of whatever scrap was handy.
Just for the lust, here's a silver spoon ca 1650 made by John Hull, designer of the Mass Silver Coinage.
Best wishes on your future digs Bill

View attachment 767137

ones we find are made of - latten
at least the many pieces I have are

 

[CASPER-2]

while looking for Bills mark - I found one i been looking for on this
-I think - fig bowl spoon piece - wish this one was complete

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Many thanks to all you guys for the interest and great info on my spoon bowl. I never knew it would turn out to be that old. Guess I learned something today as I didn't really have much experience in this area. And now I think I have at least one other bowl that's similar in size and appearance and that has a mark too. Need to go scrounge around in my relic boxes and see if I can find it. And Casper - thanks for the link to that book. I was able to download the pdf and add it to my reference library. Sorry I couldn't respond earlier as I was out hunting .... haha!

 

[WHADIFIND]

Well, if you turn the 9 upside down, it fits the site.

Beautiful quarter!

HH!

 

[joeyfresh]

It looks like DCMatt has found a match though the maker's mark hasn't been identified. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/w...-s-mark-what-may-part-early-trefid-spoon.html

The buckle piece and now this spoon may have confirmed the dating of this site but it sure is perplexing that more old finds haven't surfaced. I would definitely give it another chance Bill.

 

[Rolladex]

Nice Standing Quarter. It look to be in great shape. Way to go!!

 

[wheatfinder13]

That's a nice SLQ!

 

[CRUSADER]

It looks like DCMatt has found a match though the maker's mark hasn't been identified. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/w...-s-mark-what-may-part-early-trefid-spoon.html

The buckle piece and now this spoon may have confirmed the dating of this site but it sure is perplexing that more old finds haven't surfaced. I would definitely give it another chance Bill.

What it also shows is the spoon is likely to have been made in Britain & travelled out.

 

[hamiddetecting]

 

[johnnyblaze]

That is a beauty of a coin Bill D..

Cool hallmarked spoon too..


Blaze