Two Civil War Plates - Absolutely my best metal detecting day EVER

[OhioTrevor]

After a stressful week at work and more than a month with the ground covered in snow, I took the day off today for some swing therapy. My first permission was an absolute bust so I door knocked a stately house on the drive back home. The owner said there had been one others detectorist on the property before so my expectations were pretty low. After a few hours, I finally made my way to an undisturbed side of the house. Interestingly, my best luck is always on the side of homes where there has been less landscaping. That’s when I started making find after find: Union Enlisted-mans belt plate and breastplate found 3.5 feet apart. Coins: wheat cents 1944, 1941, 1920, 1947D, 1938. Mercury dime: 1939. Silver plated bronze 1 centavo coin from México: 1946. Old lead or bronze bell. The ring is gold plated brass (got my heart pumping at first). I also found what I think is a brass boot heal plate, civil war era cartridge casing and pewter utensil handle. Possibly a brass perforated sword scabbard tip?

The last time I found a civil war belt plate was in college near Appomattox Courthouse 30 years ago. Never expected to see another. I think I’m going to surprise the home owners by gifting them to them. It sure reminds me of why I love this hobby. Can’t wait to return.

 

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[smallfoot]

Wow, what a hunt...congrats!

 

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[OhioTrevor]

MoleWacker. Because of your post, I discovered that if I can get under the crusty surface, there is gold. Last night I threw this ring in a jar full of junk finds. But for your post I would not have looked any harder. We’ll see.

 

[MrBlueSkyNM]

Amazing finds! Congrats! [emoji122]

 

[birdman]

What a day!!

 

[islamoradamark]

that was was some good hunting there congrats

 

[WannaDig3687]

That’s a lot of goodies there. Pretty cool giving back to the home owner. It might peek their interest into researching the history of the property. They may ask you to come back. Congratulations on a very good hunt!

 

[against the wind]

Incredible,, Congratulations

 

[diggerranger]

[emoji106][emoji106]

 

[OhioTrevor]

Just want to thank everyone for the kind comments and encouragement and for those that help validate or refute some of the speculative guess work involved in identifying relics. Great to have a community like this to share with.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Great finds! You sure had a productive hunt on that property. Gifting to the owner is a fantastic idea! Congratulations! Thanks for posting.

 

[BrianNY]

Nicely done!!!

 

[JBnNC]

WOW! It's hard to find one plate these days....I'm with Crusader, maybe give one and keep one. You'll be a hero either way.--JB

 

[Silver Tree Chaser]

That was a terrific hunt. Great recoveries!

 

[OhioTrevor]

Here’s the Paul Harvey “rest of the story.” Gifted the plates to the home owners. They were thrilled. Owner let me continue hunting and found several old coins.


Best find: 1876 seated liberty dime. Two Indian head pennies 1880 & 1863. 4 wheat pennies 1953, 1942, 1912,1929. What I thought was a token is a large cent with a hole in it - worn so smooth, I can’t get a date. Same with the Indian head nickel. The gold gilded button is nice too. Anyone know why they drilled holes in coins?

 

[billb]

OhioTrevor..great hunt and Very well said and thanks for sharing with us I would like to vote HM

 

[Wildcat1750]

An amazing hunt indeed!

 

[OhioTrevor]

Thanks BillB!

 

[OhioTrevor]

Villagenut, you'll be happy to hear that I gifted them both. They were thrilled.

 

[Digger RJ]

Awesome Hunt!!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Truth]

Unbelievable truly unbelievable. Congratulations on an epic hunt