Second 1864-L penny this year!

[Noah_D]

I lined up three early 1800s sites today... I visited the houses of the owners but NOBODY was home at any of them. I decided I would stop at a late 1800s house or early 1900s if I saw one on the way home though. The place I stopped at was an 1880 house with a super creepy old barn, I asked to metal detect and the lady said sure so... I started digging. First two targets were junk, the third was this beaut. Although it has 4 holes (just why?) it is still in pretty nice condition and not very corroded at all. I dug at this house for about an hour and a half more and found this lead ball (I think it might be a bullet, confirmation would be nice though) and a few other lead things and a clad quarter. Not too much in terms of quantity but thats ok. I have only found five IHP's this year, three of them have been this week, and two of them have been the 1864-L pennies. I only detected the front yard of the house so I definitely plan to go back.

I also stopped at a park dating back to 1840s, nothing was found because my feet were freezing cold. Maybe tomorrow... I am a newbie and I really look forward to the day I will find a seated coin or largie, every hunt I think maybe this time. 2020 goals I guess, well I've got tomorrow to hunt so we'll see. Happy hunting!

NOTE: I haven't looked at it under high magnification yet, I could be wrong about it having the L, but I am pretty sure I see it.

 

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[VTColonialDigger]

That is a nice indian! Hard to tell from the photo, but looks like it could have an L. Maybe they put the holes in it to use it as a button.
The lead piece looks to be a round ball for a rifle or musket.
Great finds

 

[Noah_D]

Thanks VTColonialDigger, I didn't think of it being used as a button but that would make sense. I'm pretty happy about the roundball, my first one this size.

 

[CTXAgGetter]

It's cool, but, button doesn't make sense. You want the holes near the center for a button, so it'll stay in the hole. Threads near the outer edges would cause it to keep popping loose.
I got nothing, though, as far as other possible reasons for the holes. Not in good spots to be part of a bracelet, either.

 

[Noah_D]

Didn't think of that, maybe somebody was just bored or they nailed it to something for whatever reason.

 

[GaRebel1861]

I dug a 1/2 reale that had four holes in it like your coin. It had a slight bend in it. The only thing I can think is it was homemade jewelry and was a crudely made ring. Perhaps tied on the finger? Whatever they actually were used for, I agree the holes are too far near edges to be an effective button. Your lead ball looks like a musket shot to me. Cool finds.

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

That ol' Indian, has four holes on outside, to be sewn onto something, for decoration...
All VERY cool finds...!

 

[Silvermonkey]

That IHP is very cool Noah. Inever seen one holed like that. Bet it was used as a button. Nice find!

 

[Noah_D]

Thanks for all the thoughts on the penny with holes! Obviously a whole penny without holes would be nice but sometimes it seems like the coins with holes are more fun... its got a story. Oh, and the roundball, it has a side that looks like its hit something when it was fired.

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

A couple of nice finds, congrats!

 

[Noah_D]

Thanks and happy hunting in 2020!

 

[A2coins]

Good job those old homes seem the perfect places good job getting permissions you earned those nice keepers. Well done. Happy new year. Tommy

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Nice job!! The large cents will come when you least expect it.

 

[Noah_D]

Thanks Tommy, and happy new year. I've had a lot of luck so far at these oldish homes... especially in front yards.

 

[Noah_D]

Thanks Joe-Dirt, I sure won't expect it when the first LC pops out of the hole... I am still pleasantly surprised everytime anything good pops out of the hole. I can't wait to start adding finds to my 2020 totals! Just had to snow again this week didn't it...