yard hunting (X2)

[JJ]

I've been able to sneak out for a few short hunts in the last week and a half. We've been getting some rain but not nearly enough to make a difference. The ground is still bone dry in most places but the 10x12 SEF continues to squeak a few out from some depths that continue to impress me in dry ground. Sorry, I didn't take measurements but I did have to spend some time digging for a few of these. Well worth the effort though. The 1900 barber dug today was the darkest, most cooked intact dime I have ever dug. I don't know if this was a chemical reaction from fertilizer or it had been in a fire but it was much darker in person than the pic. I though it was an injun until I read the "ONE DIME" through the crud on the reverse. I know people have mixed reactions to cleaning coins but if I have to choose between a burnt to a crisp (not toned) silver dime or fresh off the factory floor looking dime, I'll take option two. The value was compromised either way, personal preference. For those wondering how it was cleaned: I thinly wrapped the coin in aluminum foil and placed it in a boiling saltwater solution for about 20 minutes then rinsed it off. No scrubbing involved. Thanks, and I hope you all find time to get out and dig. JJ

Ps, If a property owner stands over your shoulder while you dig a plug and insists on seeing what you found, instruct them first NOT to rub the dirty coin before handing it to them. I learned that the hard way with the 1911 dime. He thought it was neat to see and allowed me to keep it (because he said I worked for it), but continued to rub the $%#@ out of it as i loudly instructed him to STOP RUBBING IT before I knew what it was. I guess this is a risk you take when hunting private property. Lesson learned.

 

[Hotcz70]

Really nice hunt JJ

Looks like a "fertilizer" silver to me....every time I pull an old silver from one of my fields...it always comes out dark black.

PS: keep the performance of the 10 x 12 SEF coil to yourself will ya'

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[Markdb61]

Nice saves. I have encountered excited property owners too.

 

[Eddie in Poulsbo]

Very nice finds there JJ.:clapping I like that trade token also and can relate to letting someone look at you find and then they start rubbing it without knowing it could be a key date. Thanks for sharing and HH.

Eddie

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi JJ! Nice finds as usual! I just got back from a 2-week vacation with my family in England and I found an old silver coin from the 1500-1600s that was made into a British "love token" (that and many other finds later)...the love token was dug on farm land and came out BLACK! Here's a trick I learned over there for cleaning black
silver. Wet the coin and wrap it tightly in alumin foil, pressing it down firmly against the coin. You will feel it getting warm and it will smell like rotten eggs. Remove the foil after 30 seconds or so. Repeat if necessary. Can't believe how well it worked on the love token without giving it that "polished silver" look. Your dime came out nice, what did you use to clean it?

 

[LFarthing42]

Interesting cleaning method JJ. Nice finds too.

 

[JJ]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Erik, I would love to see the love token you found. A trip to England is something I would like to do one of these days. I used a similar method to yours (mentioned above) to clean my dime. Mine came out covered in a black gel which was all removed by a quick rinse under the sink. Your method sounds great too. I will have to give that a try with my next black silver. JJ

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi JJ, I'll post some pics of the "love token" as soon as I have a chance--I'd seen the British ones before and was excited to dig one--even happier when I realized it was a very old silver English coin (probably a William III 6-pence). It has an interesting attribute that I will explain. Also found some great stuff in this field including two large bronze Roman coins--which was a real treat as there was really no Roman activity in the area of Devon that I was in. A few other notable finds and several firsts for me, but they'll have to wait till I can scan/photograph them. All found with my trusty SE Pro--my CTX stayed home! And I will tell you that the SE Pro was hitting this stuff DEEP--I'm worn out from so much digging

 

[Dave-IL]

Good hunting jj. That barber is cooked BUT cool looking! Nice job.

 

[silverfix]

Nice finds. Im partial to the token!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi JJ!

When you say "thinly wrap the item" I take it to mean not too many layers of foil. Is this correct? Is the foild wrapped tightly on the object or loosely? Also do you use thich foil or the thin stuff?

How much salt do you put in the water? Do you keep the water on boil for the 20 minutes or do you boil it first then remove it from the heat and drop the foil package in the water?

Thanks for the help!

Best, Erik

 

[JJ]

Thanks Dave, SF and Erik. Erik, I'm out of town right now so I don't have access to my supplies. I don't know the exact chemistry behind the process but it's similar to electrolysis, substituting heat for electricity, salt or lemon juice being the electrolyte and the foil working the magic. I used a single ply wrap of foil, tightly pressed against coin and drop into a rapid boil for about 20 mins. Not sure how much salt, use plenty. More is better than less. It's all trial and error. Won't leave burn marks on silver like electrolysis potentially will though. TC, JJ