Short, but productive!

[MikeyStwoTimes]

Had a pretty good dig today! Silver brooch, 1864 IHP, colonial-era buckle, 3 ringer/Minie ball, smashed round ball, and some random lead weight. Any guesses on the brooch age?

 

[T-DUB]

Had a pretty good dig today! Silver brooch, 1864 IHP, colonial-era buckle, 3 ringer/Minie ball, smashed round ball, and some random lead weight. Any guesses on the brooch age?

Congrats, thanks for sharing.

 

[fwcrawford]

Great bunch of finds!!
That soil has been kind to that IH cent.
Those lead pieces may have used as nipple protectors, but just a guess.
I have no idea on the age of the brooch, but is very nice.

 

[jim tn]

Nice hunt, like digging Indians. In fact, got one yesterday myself, but it is 41 years newer then yours. Silver is always good, too. HH jim tn

 

[Geologyhound]

Nice selection of finds! I always like finding IHPs, and that one looks to be in fairly nice condition.

Are the “balls“ on the brooch metal or pearl? I can’t tell - is the center an empty socket or is there another ball there?

The brooch appears to be handmade. Although each petal has the same general pattern, the position and shape of each arc is slightly different side to side and petal to petal. I would expect it to be identical and symmetrical if it was machine made.

It appears each petal was made by a technique similar to wire wrapping. But it appears this brooch used strips rather than wires. Are there hammer marks on the outside of the individual strips?

 

[PDH]

I agree. The detail on that brooch is very intricate and appears homemade.

 

[MikeyStwoTimes]

You guys are awesome! Let me take a closer look at the brooch and maybe get some photos. It's all metal and has all the hallmarks of silver. Tough to clean with all the little intricacies. I know a jeweler that can help me, too.

I love this hobby! I've been doing it for just under a year and it's really stuck with me. All the learning has been fun and there's a been a lot of it!

 

[sube]

That brooch appears to be similar to a ring I found at a 1893 house found another ring at a 1890s fairground . Most stuff was very ornate in the 1890s victorian age just a guess may be way off . sube

 

[MikeyStwoTimes]

That brooch appears to be similar to a ring I found at a 1893 house found another ring at a 1890s fairground . Most stuff was very ornate in the 1890s victorian age just a guess may be way off . sube

Thanks for chiming in! I did a little research last night and narrowed it down to Victorian as well. I'm no expert, but I'd say that's a pretty good guess.

 

[MikeyStwoTimes]

Nice selection of finds! I always like finding IHPs, and that one looks to be in fairly nice condition.

Are the “balls“ on the brooch metal or pearl? I can’t tell - is the center an empty socket or is there another ball there?

The brooch appears to be handmade. Although each petal has the same general pattern, the position and shape of each arc is slightly different side to side and petal to petal. I would expect it to be identical and symmetrical if it was machine made.

It appears each petal was made by a technique similar to wire wrapping. But it appears this brooch used strips rather than wires. Are there hammer marks on the outside of the individual strips?

The center is another silver round ball. I can't imagine how this could be machine made many years ago. Short of 3D printing today, I would think it would be difficult to machine make still. It's in dire need of a proper cleaning! LOL

 

[JimmyCT]

Very nice Silver brooch! The 1864 IH is in super condition. I wish the IH’s I find came out of the ground looking like yours.

 

[MikeyStwoTimes]

Very nice Silver brooch! The 1864 IH is in super condition. I wish the IH’s I find came out of the ground looking like yours.

Most of the IHPs I've ever dug look terrible! This is my 2nd 1864 and both are in good shape. I have a 1901 that is nice, too, but those three are it!

 

[Odanscoils]

Love them Indian's.
Incredible broach.
Almost looks like it should have jems.

 

[Geologyhound]

Interesting! I have not noticed with the prior photos, but the surface of each of the bands in the brooch appears to be scalloped for additional detail and twinkle.

You might want to gift careful consideration to the cleaning, and maybe even check with a jeweler familiar with antique jewelry. You don’t have a heavy layer of black silver oxide coating. Instead, it appears to be relatively light and uniform tarnish. A quick dip in a silver cleaning solution may brighten it up. But, as antique jewelry, some may find the current patina desirable. Might want to check first.