Roundball patina

HunterII

Jr. Member
Aug 28, 2012
46
26
Minnesota
Detector(s) used
AT Pro
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1428792184.987336.jpg
Anyone know how long it takes to achieve a porcelain like patina on lead?
 

Upvote 3
I don't know how long, sorry, but I love finding them! Very nice.
 

A lot depends on the chemical makeup of the soil it's in, moisture plays a part too. Some hunters find CW-era rounds which come out looking like they were cast in the last week or two, hardly any patina to them. Others come out of the ground actually with some of their lead chemically eaten away from interaction with the soil they're in.

Your roundball looks old, I'd call it 19th century with reasonable certainty.
 

Thanks guys, I've been at a site I believe is from the 1850s here in MN. Found part of kitchen knife earlier in the week that dates to the early to mid 1800s.
 

Depends on the soil conditions.
 

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