Two Feb Hunts = Two New Jersey Coppers !

Don in SJ

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May 20, 2005
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Last week I posted my first coin find of 2011 and it was a somewhat decent 1786 NJ copper Maris 15-T variety. Yesterday my son and I returned to our latest hot spot and after almost 3 hours of hard hunting in the brush, it looked like we were going to be skunked coin wise, well at least for old coins. My son did manage to find a few wheaties together, most likely lost by a hunter years ago and we both had a button or two.

As the 3 hour of hunt time neared we slowly worked our way back to my truck and within in a stones throw of the truck, I got a decent "button" type signal and sure enough the target was a button and it looked like a blowhole type, while it was all full of crud, but once I got home and cleaned it, well, it turned out to be a post CW Eagle button, but in horrible shape.

Within a minute or so of retrieving the button and I was just about ready to turn off the detector when I got a no doubt about it coin reading, the tone, the non wavering crosshairs and even the digital display of 03 28 told me I had a copper beneath the coil. I called my son over before digging so he could hear the target and see what digital numbers appeared on his brand new T2 detector. After he agreed on a coin signal, I dug and in the pile was a cruddy looking large copper. He somewhat seriously said, with that thickness and appearance, not a large cent most likely another NJ copper! (He was correct again).

The coin is horrible, I thought for awhile no details would be left, as I was cleaning it, the heavy corroded dirt patina started peeling away and along the edge I could see NOVA C so I knew it was in fact a NJ. I quickly snapped a photo of the coin in this condition so if the all details vanished once the dirt was removed I at least had this photo of it proving it is a NJ copper.

As I got most of the crud off, only when wet could I see enough to get an ID. On certain angles and lighting I finally saw a 7 as in 1787 and could at times make out the shape of the plow handles and horse's head. When attributing for variety, I always assume it is one of the most common varieties first, and sure enough I got a match for the Very Common variety Maris 43-D, which I had verified by some top NJ collectors later on.

It is my 17th NJ copper, and perhaps my second worst one for condition, which does sadden me in a way, but I should not have been surprised by the condition after seeing what that Eagle button looked like found nearby. Sure am not complaining, only found two coins this year and both NJ coppers, so this year is already looking to be another decent year.

Don
 

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I really enjoyed the post as usual Don. I hope you get another one on your next outing !! That's the beauty of this hobby, is that it can happen ! MaineRelic
 

Nice work Don! Curious as to what numbers that coin gave on your son's T2? I'm guessing between 79-82? I have a T2 as well and any extra incite would be appreciated. Not everyday (or anyday so far) that my coil passes over one of those.
 

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