Shield Nickel and Some Other Goodies!

[Erik]

I went back to the park I have been working and rehit the area that I started cleaning all the targets out of. I continued for a couple hours this evening and the results were very interesting.

I got a very crummy signal that turned out to be quite deep, but since I was digging everything, I decided to remove it. After a lot of digging - my pinpoint was off...maybe it was on edge...I was blown away by the disc that dropped on the ground while I was looking for the target - a shield nickel - very green - and very deep. The date is almost gone, but looks like 1857...which would make it one of my ealiest US coins.

Another junk hit yielded this gorgeous railroad cargo seal - my third in the last two weeks, and this one is in the best shape - notice both "feet" intact. This one says "ERIE" on the back.

Also got a wierd hit and out popped what I thought was a watch battery - turned out to be a Public Service seal - and an old one at that! They are called PSE&G now...the front I believe is copper and the back is lead (note the white patina) -- the two metals are probably why I got the weird signal.

I also dug a very old partial two piece button, which is very corroded, but there's a loop intact on the back. I can still see some areas of silver plating. I may try electrolysis on this one. Any ideas on approx. age for this type of button???

Nearby, I found my first garter clip.....can anyone give me an approx date or manufacturer?

Also dug a whatzit that has the number "2" engraved on it, under it is a 1910 wheatie also found. I dug what appears to be the top of a small tube of very old glue? Metal looks quite old and there's still some petrified glue residue on it (not pictured).

Almost all of these targets were things that I normally would NOT have dug - I may have to change my habits. I think removing all targets is finally letting me get to an older layer which is yielding some cool stuff!

Thanks for looking!

 

[Erik]

n/t

 

[James N.D.]

That Shield Nickel can't be an 1857 since they didn't make them until 1866. If you can see the last number and it is a 7 and the back has rays in between the stars, then you have an 1867. They only had the rays the first 2 years and then just had the stars on the back. But to me, I think it is newer than 1867 since it only looks like stars on the back. Nice other finds as well and hope you are able to see what the date is finally on that Shield Nickel.

 

[Erik]

Thanks Jim....I was wondering if they were made then or not. I'll have to take a closer look at it....I also have some Nickelene here that I've never tried.....maybe I'll give it a shot during the week and see how it goes.

Great job on the club hunt you went to! Imagine finding all that silver on a regular hunt???? Congrats - you did very well and looks like it was a good time.

 

[James N.D.]

I wouldn't use that Nickelene. Just try and clean it up with a fine brass brush and if your lucky, the date will still show. I use the Nic-A-Date Date Restorer which I think is the same stuff you want to try on that Nickel, but if you use it the date will be hard to see. Shield Nickels are the toughest to try to bring the date back from since the date is so small. Use it as a last resort but it sure is tough to see any part of the date when you use the acid. Kinda blends in with the rest of the coin. Good Luck and HH.

 

[Eddie in Poulsbo]

n/t

 

[Erik]

Thanks......yeah the nickel's a little rough, but I'll take a mid-1800's US coin in any condition. I like the green patina on this one. The button is very rough, but this site has Revolutionary War potential. I thought the two seals were in beautiful condition.