The Good News: 1771 Spanish Silver 1 Reale - The Bad News: Frustratingly Worn

bookfisher

Bronze Member
Jun 18, 2005
1,345
125
Long Island, New York
After about two hours of going blank in the woods today I was ready to call it quits. It was during my slow retreat back to the car that I got a perfect penny/dime signal at about three inches. I remember thinking - alright, this is probably a coin and I hope it's silver. I cut a plug, and the target is still in the hole, but I must of pushed it a little deeper into the hole or turned it on it's side, since the signal changed to iffy quarter or something like that. So I pulled out a nice shovel full of dirt from the hole and checked the pile with the coil and it's back to reading penny/dime. I then used my pinpointer in the pile and heard it ring out. Pushing aside some dirt I saw the glint of silver and knew I had a coin. As soon as I picked it up I immediately knew it was a Reale, but my heart sank almost as fast when I saw that it was just about totally worn smooth on both sides, with cut lines to one side. Though I guess I was fortunate enough that even in it's extremely worn condition I can still make out the date of 1771.

P.S. This story is almost identical to how I found my first 1 Reale in these woods last summer. Just like today, I was on my way out of the woods and got a perfect penny/dime signal, that changed after I pulled the plug. The one I found that day was in nice condition, with a clear date of 1778.
 

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Re: The Good News: 1771 Spanish Silver 1 Reale - The Bad News: Frustratingly Wor

It is still beautiful to me! A coin that is older than our country! Amazing
 

I think the good news out weighs the bad! I'd love to break into the 1700's!!
Congrats on a nice find.
Regards,
Jules
 

Maybe X marks the spot did you think about that. Nice find.
 

Re: The Good News: 1771 Spanish Silver 1 Reale - The Bad News: Frustratingly Wor

Wow, that is worn. At least you can id it and read the date. Still a great find.
 

Mine has minimal detail on back and less on front, but can still make out a date. The date on those Reales must be prominent enough to survive tremendous wear. Great find!
 

Silver is silver, but that is mighty OLD silver ! Something to treasure, especially since you can still make out the date.
 

Yes like the others have said, that is one awesome find. Finding it on the way back to the car is priceless. Just ask my partner, I find some of my best finds heading back to the car. Many guys on here have done the same thing. Don't ask me why, I guess it's fate or dumb luck. But it works. Those people who turn off their detectors, when leaving for the car are missing the boat.

HH, Ringfinder
 

Nothing wrong with that! Date is still clear and the cut marks give it a ton of character!
 

Re: The Good News: 1771 Spanish Silver 1 Reale - The Bad News: Frustratingly Wor

great coin, congrats

hh twister
 

Nice Coin, even if it is worn. Heck, I'm still trying to break into Pre-WWII. Never turn that detector off until your ready to put it in the vehicle.

HH
 

I would have to say 90% of great finds are found in the last 5 minutes of a hunt and usually right next to the car door! Warn, yes, but great find nonetheless.
 

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