Favorite Silver Coin...

[Blind Squirrel]

Howdy--

A few weeks ago I noticed an abandoned house. The windows were boarded up, a large tree was uprooted and there was a red sticker on the door indicating that it was scheduled for demolition. Last week was the first chance that I had to detect it and I only had 2 hours between appointments to do it. When I got out of the truck to inspect the ground I saw quite a bit of surface trash: pull-tabs, Budweiser cans, tinfoil and other types of garbage. I reasoned that this was a job for my High Trash program with the 4X6 coil. I first detected on both sides of the sidewalk and dug copper memorials, clad dimes and quarters at 3-4". Then I veered toward the uprooted tree figuring that I might have a chance at some older targets. In the indentation where the tree roots were I had crisp clear 88-89 reading at 4" and it pinpointed small. I love the way our west Texas soil had toned this 1942-S Walking Liberty Half. It looks like the sun is shining on the U.S. Flag and Ms. Liberty. It was a good day! Best of luck and...

Happy Hunting!
Blind Squirrel

 

[burlbark]

Thats got to be one of my favorite coin designs and I have only found one. Nice find.

I know you like the toning, but if you ever get tired of it. I use a little lemon juice and aluminum foil. I just sandwich the foil around the coin and add sufficient lemon juice to saturate it. I then pinch and rub the foil not allowing the foil to move over the coin(no scratches), I then apply some heat. It make take 2-3 applications but it removes the oxidation through a mild electrolysis and keeps almost all the detail and in most case brings out detail. One thing about this technique is it leaves behind a natural toning, just a slightly tarnish yellow silver look.

 

[Jedi]

I still get excited everytime I find a silver quarter. I would make sure I hunted
that place out before they demolish the place. Awesome find!!!

 

[Explorer]

Beautiful find and I agree with the great design of the coin.
I am a silver purist and leave them like I find them. Only carefully rinsing the dirt away and keep the patina.

The legacy of our current coinage is that the zincs dissolve in the dirt and what is left of many of them the banks will not take.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Thanks Burlbark. I'll give that technique a try on one of my "ugly" silver coins. It's interesting how the soil in different areas effect silver coinage. While detecting in NY I dug old silver coins that still had luster. Here in Texas that would be highly unusual. Thanks for the tip. Best of luck and...

Happy Hunting!
Blind Squirrel

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Thanks Jedi--

I'll have to go back there with a rake and a wheel barrow! I'm not kidding , there is a LOT of surface trash there. The backyard was unhuntable but offered a lot of potential. I will hunt it again and after removing some trash , hunt it with a larger coil. There is no doubt that there are more good finds to be made at this site. I'll be keeping my eye on this site because when they do take the house and garage down and remove the debris, coins and other goodies that are in the house will find their way on to the ground and in to my pouch! Best of luck and...

Happy Hunting!
Blind Squirrel

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Thanks Explorer. Agreed. The zinc cents are an embarrassment. To produce a coin that can not withstand 6 months in the soil without decomposing is disgraceful. Best of luck and ...

Happy Hunting!
Blind Squirrel

 

[texjim]

AWESOME JOB.