No silver yesterday but was able to recover a nice gilted navy button

[Bill D. (VA)]

Dan and I got back out for a short hunt yesterday at the site that produced a ton of 1600s relics and coins last year, and where I dug colonial silver #150 last weekend. We spent almost half of our time going over the small area where 3 hammered coins were dug last winter. I was using my 14" coil, going very slow and digging every questionable tone, but it was tough going in the iron. Had a couple of high tone possibilities but it was not to be. After that disappointment we spent the rest of the time wandering in the large iron and brick littered field looking for the occasional random find. Neither of us had what we'd call a good day, but as I was nearing the truck at the end of the hunt I was surprised by a nice gilted navy cuff button. This site has produced 1600s and 1700s finds almost exclusively, but the few 1800s items are usually military buttons for some reason. I also dug a chinese coin as well as a large decorative brass piece which may be furniture-related. Dan made similar finds, and then dug into an early brick foundation right before we left giving us something to pursue next time at the site. Hope to give it another shot on Tues after the cold snap and before the heavy rain.

 

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[jewelerguy]

great button, and the detail on that chinese coin is really crisp

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

Not a bad looking bunch of finds. I am really liking the last pic with the green grass in the back ground! It is 20 degrees and blowing snow here in Vermont Oh well...... gotta take the good days along with the bad.
VPR

 

[CoilyGirl]

What is the thingy that looks like a mushroom?Bottom row,far left.

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Man the button is in great shape Bill, I wish all the buttons I dig were in that condition. What about that coin, can you date it at all?
Dave

 

[artyfacts]

Great way to finish the day. That is a sweet little military button. I returned with a smaller coil to my favorite field that was laden with lovely iron, I used my 5 inch DD coil instead of the big dog and was surprised by the separation and depth in the midst of the iron, I found my favorite cuff button to date, along with a bunch of others.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

That is a nice bunch of finds ! Nice looking button with lots of gilt. Congrats! HH!

 

[romeo-1]

Nice finds...beautiful button!

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

sweet button bill!

 

[matt092079]

Whoa! Beautiful button, Bill! Almost as good as silver!

 

[Sobo]

Love the gilted button, thanks for sharing

 

[joeyfresh]

That's a great looking button Bill. I'm glad you were able to get in a productive hunt before the monsoon moves in this week. Stay dry!

 

[Steve in PA]

Bill, sites like that are always holding something back, and it's usually something really special. You know it's there, but might you have to make a few adjustments to find it. And it is really satisfying when you do find it. You gave it a shot today and you did quite well.

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Great way to finish the day. That is a sweet little military button. I returned with a smaller coil to my favorite field that was laden with lovely iron, I used my 5 inch DD coil instead of the big dog and was surprised by the separation and depth in the midst of the iron, I found my favorite cuff button to date, along with a bunch of others.

I like to use the small coil in the very heavy iron too, and it usually does quite well. But unless the iron is totally overwhelming I've proven to myself over and over that by slowing way down with my stock coil, maybe turning down the sensitivity a bit, and listening closely to pick out those questionable high tones I can do just as well as with the small coil plus get better depth. I've gone back over areas like this with my small coil after using the stock one, and am usually surprised how missed targets are almost non-existent. The spot with the hammered coins had been gone over many times with different machines, different settings, at different angles, etc, so I was just trying the large coil as the last resort before giving up on that spot. And I was able to pick out a couple deep high tones that had been missed before, but the targets were scrap lead and brass. So it was worth a shot.

 

[mangum]

That would be a great day for me. That Navy button is beautiful. Nice finds Bill.