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 Replies: 19 / Views: 3,049 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1372 Posts |
I found this in the front yard of an 1860s home in WV on saturday. It's in great condition, having come from the dirt. The interesting thing about it, is that the obverse was struck on a retired proof die, while the reverse die was a business strike die. Its hard to photograph the mirrors, but they're quite prominent when at the right angle. It has environmental issues from being in the ground for over a century, and its been carefully cleaned, but I can get over that. It cost me nothing but the effort to dig it. Chance    |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Wow , Incredible dirt find . what did you use to clean it ?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7617 Posts |
Nice find! The mirrors might be due to an early strike and not due to a retired proof die.
Too bad it doesn't have an "S" mintmark on it!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1372 Posts |
I just soaked it in distilled water overnight and used the garden hose, folled by compressed air to blow away the debris. Then I soaked it in distilled water again and patted it dry.
Even an "O" mintmark would have been OK in this condition.
Chance
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4932 Posts |
Absolutely crazy. Myself, personally, I would probably get it graded as that would be a crazy find in my book that I would want to have mounted somewhere where it'll be protected. Is that mint luster that I see? Looks to have a cartwheel.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1372 Posts |
It has much mint luster present. The obverse and reverse surfaces are completely different though. The reverse has typical cartwheel luster, but the obverse does not. I'll stick it in a holder, but I don't slab anything, especially coins that will slab as problem coins.
Chance
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Stunning find! Enjoy it and I hope your good luck continues.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
What a great find in such a high grade! Congratulations on digging up this beautiful coin.
Paul Bulgerin
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Valued Member
United States
441 Posts |
Beautiful dirt find Chance. It's amazing that it looks the way it does having sat in the ground for so long.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1372 Posts |
I feel very fortunate to have dug one in such nice condition. I have dug 5 to date, and each has been a bit nicer than the last one. In 2005 I dug 2 in one hole along a stone wall. One of those was dated 1898, amd one was 1905. Both had been lost in the 50s most likely and were really worn. Later that year I found a 1904 literally lying on top of the ground that was pretty nice... nearing fine condition. I took a few years off of detecting but started again in June. Last month I dug a 1907 that is a solid Fine condition, and this one's probably an EF-40. Can't wait to dig the next one.
Chance
Edited by Chancellor Sutler
09/12/2016 4:42 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2125 Posts |
Nice dig. I need to get back into detecting!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
That is a very nice coin.
I am sure you were walking on air after finding that one.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1372 Posts |
When I dug the hole to recover the coin, the first thing I saw was the edge. Since the reeding was so strong I was sure it was just going to be a silver Washington. I was blown away when I saw that big eagle on the back. It had enough dirt stuck to it, and my eyes are bad enough that I couldn't tell what the date was going to be, not that it mattered. I laid it on my car seat and detected another 30 minutes or so before deciding that I'd done my damage for the day. It was hot and I was ready to call it quits anyway, but I wanted to get the quarter rinsed and get my glasses so I could see what I'd found.
The soil is pretty bad where this coin was recovered. There are lots of nails and elemental iron in the ground. I think I was really lucky to pick this signal up at all. I detected a bit there this morning, finding just 3 wheat pennies, 1909 (no VDB), 1939 and 1944
Chance
Edited by Chancellor Sutler
09/13/2016 1:34 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I am not sure I could have lasted 30 minutes ...
But then ... I am sure I would wonder if I could find more good coins.
Sounds like you have a good spot to search.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1372 Posts |
I took some short videos of this coin ... and took these pics from the video. The mirrors are much more evident in this pic. The luster of the reverse shows well, though that pic's out of focus a bit. Chance   |
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Replies: 19 / Views: 3,049 |
Posted 09/12/2016 12:38 pm
