A Couple Vintage Finds

[broadestpower]

I found the compact in a softball field right off of home plate about six
inches or so down. I along with every other metal detectorist I was hoping for
for the one that had old coins in it verse rouge. This was a pretty neat find none the
less. I decided today to play safe cracker, my daughter and myself chiseled the edge
all a round and finally got it to breach. I oiled the hinge and slowly worked it, soon I
not only had it opened but I carved out the old rouge, man it was like concrete.
I believe the hardened rouge added to the integrity of this small compact. The rouge
dates to the 1930's. The bell I did find on line but, I really didn't research the
date, so if anyone can easily date it that would be most appreciated.

 

[JB(MS)]

Neat find. Old rouge boxes are fairly common finds around old home sites in this area, and as far as I know they're not worth anything but I like finding them. The last one I found, in the photo, was a couple of months ago at a vacant lot here in town that had a house on it from around 1915 until the mid 1960's. It's a different brand, but like yours it had rouge in it that was as hard as a rock. Usually, there are a few old coins to be found where the older rouge boxes are found. In two hunts at the place I found the one in the photo I also got 1905 and 1906 Indian head pennies, six wheat pennies dating from 1916 to 1946 and the 5 mil tax token, but no silver coins. The 1 mil aluminum tax tokens are common, but the 5 mil only made 6 of those I've found in almost 43 years of detecting.

 

[Dancer]

Possibly it might have been trucked in from another site as fill for the ballfield.

 

[broadestpower]

Yeah it might have been trucked in but it is an old park.
The Park had an old canal in it from the early 1800's.
So in three months of detecting I found the seated liberty dime
the old Chinese coin from the 1700's and a 1909 Indian. The park
I've only been detecting for about a month on the weekends mostly.
I know for a fact that other guys involved with the hobby have hit this
park hard so it is amazing that I'm finding keepers. I like the old rouge
box find it would have been nice if it was used to keep a couple three
keepsake coins in it instead of rouge. It was quiet the adventure just
getting it open. Thanks JB for the text and the great picture

 

[fongu]

Nice finds.

 

[broadestpower]

Thanks Fongu!