My First Large Cent

[DavidGC]

Found my first large cent yesterday -- an 1822 "Matron" Head -- 25 feet from my back door!

I had an hour to kill, so I took my new AT Pro into the back yard, just to practice with it. I figured I'd find a lot of nails (I've found dozens of small nails/tacks) and some modern clad. As far as I know, my land has always been pasture/grazing land for sheep or cows. The yard "crests" then drops off about 25 feet from the house, and there was a barbed wire fence along the crest when I moved in 12 years ago. I figured maybe someone might have lost something while working or walking along that old fence line (the fence probably only went back to the 1970s or so), so that's where I started.

Amidst a bunch of noise that I assume was more small nails, I got a powerful hit about six inches down. First I took out a nail at about 4 inches, then, one more large scoop of dirt left me looking at the coin, half exposed and sitting upright in the soil. It's pretty corroded, but I was able to clean it up enough to get the image and the date.

Now, I'm going to have to go over my whole yard -- about 5 acres!

DavidGC

 

[JimmyCT]

Fantastic find! It just goes to show we will never know unless we detect the land. soak it in olive oil and welcome to Findmall.

 

[bootyhoundpa]

Congrats on your 1st large cent.. it doesn't really matter condition wise, that 1st is a great thrill either way.. now that you know they are there its time to find another.. the only place I ever found only 1 was in my back yard, other than that every other place where I have found them I have found no less than 3...some places I have found between 10 and 15... If there is a source of water I would cocentrate there 1st... if you start finding flat buttons that would also be a good place to concentrate... good luck...

 

[Evolution]

If you're finding that many nails there's a strong probability there was an older structure there that doesn't exist any more. How old is the house you're living in? Nice large cent.

 

[Ground_Hog_MD]

very nice catch . bet you`ll be getting a lot more practice in the yard if its turning up good oldies like that ...

 

[metalfun]

Welcome to the forum.I found my oldest coin about 4 feet from my front porch 1832 half dime.HH

 

[osgood]

DavidGC, way to go, ill never forget my first LC. With the soil in my neck of the woods I would say yours is in pretty darn good shape. I have some with questionable dates. Most of mine probably are like 1850s. For the age on yours all the stars are intact, the edges have that fluting, the wreath is nice. Yes some day you will hear that big sound again., good hunts, CO

 

[dave5710]

I wish I had 5 acres to hunt. Gas prices make hunting a rare treat nowadays. Way to go on the LC.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

A big congrats on finding your first L.C. - and a old one - and on your own property - very cool !

 

[bradwheat777]

Very nice! I found my oldest coin a 1776 1/2 reale in my backyard. You just never know what lies in your backyard. Definitely saves on gas $! Thanks for sharing!

 

[DavidGC]

bootyhoundpa : Just before I found the coin, I found a flat button -- about three feet away.

Evolution: My house is only about 25 years old. I think the nails are from horse shoeing, and I think they are fairly recent.
I can't find any record or map that shows the land being used for anything other than grazing going back to the 1850s.

Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement.

 

[CT Todd]

You got a nice one. Good for you

 

[magoo]

nice

 

[bdinutah]

Congrats on the LC, with the flat button in the same area you may be onto to some more good finds! Thanks for sharing.