Yep, I did the Happy Dance! :wiggle: :bouncy: :jump:

[Digger]

Thanks. When all is said and done, it is simply a matter of sweeping your coil over it, and digging! The hard part is finding out where they are hiding! HH Randy

 

[Digger]

Thanks Jeff, and I agree, this one warrants being looked at by a professional. HH Randy

 

[Goes4ever]

I just saw on t net where someone else just got there dug 1877 back from ANACS, I am almost positive they are the only company who will grade and slab dug coins

 

[Digger]

This site has yielded a lot of nice finds. I remember the first time I went there I found 6 seated dimes. I also remember taking my son there about 25 years ago. It's a long story, but he found a seated quarter that was 100 years older than he is. Something I'll never forget because the first seated quarter I found was exactly 100 years older than me. Although this 1877 IH may rank among the most valuable coins I've found there, my other favorites (also found with the X-Terra) were the 3-cent nickel and 1838 SL dime I found a year or so ago. Lots of fond memories derived from this wonderful hobby. HH Randy

 

[Digger]

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate it. HH Randy

 

[Digger]

Thanks Bill, Any day detecting with you is a good day. But I do have to admit, it was nice to find more than you this time! That don't happen as much as I'd like. And for the record, there ain't nothing crappy about finding Shield Nickels. We've hunted much longer for much less! Thanks for the comments and the hunt! Randy

 

[Digger]

Thanks for the comments. HH Randy

 

[Digger]

Thanks John, I think I'm going to have this one slabbed. I've received comments that grade it anywhere from F-20 to F-50. And if you've looked up the current prices for the 77 IH, that represents a substantial difference! I'll keep you all posted what the results are. HH Randy

 

[Digger]

Funny you should mention that......... there is another old site that my brother and I hunt. It too looks like any other corn field around here. But research has shown us that it was the site of fairs, races and picnics back in the late 1800's, early 1900's. A couple years ago I was visiting with the farmer about how we weren't able to find the coins we did a decade ago. He said that no-till or minimum till provided a substantial savings in fuel costs. I offered to buy the fuel for his tractor if he would deep plow it one more time! He laughed and said he probably couldn't find a plow within 50 miles. Seems those days are gone for just about all of us. HH Randy

 

[Digger]

When I found it, I just put it in the pouch with the rest of the coins. I don't usually wipe them off until I have soaked them a bit. As we were walking back to our trucks, Bill asked if I had found anything other than that dime. I told him that I'd found two IH cents. An 1888 and an 1877. He said, "yea, right". I said I was sure it was a 77, and for some reason was thinking the 78 was the key date. He said no, the 77 is the one to find. So we pulled out the bottle of water and rinsed it off. I don't remember if he loaned me his magnifying glass, or if I loaned him my bifocals! But which ever it was, we confirmed it was the 77. That is when I did the Happy Dance! HH Randy

 

[Digger]

Sure thing, I'll put it in the mail tomorrow! And you can send me some of those old Reales or Belt Plates you keep finding down there. Thanks for the comments! HH Randy

 

[Digger]

Yep, we knew it was a key date when we rinsed it off. I plan to send it off to have it graded so I'll know for sure what the condition is rated. According to the 2010 Official Red Book, prices start at $950 for one in G-4, and run up to $2500 for EF-40. Being a dug coin, I can't expect it to rate much higher than F's or low VF's. But from some of the emails I've received, it might be worth more than you stated. At least I hope it is! But thanks for the post. HH Randy

 

[utmike]

Maybe Karma for helping all of us for so long? Either way congrats on an OUTSTANDING find.

Mike

 

[Terra1959]

Gday randy,

Congratulations mate.
As an Aussie I dont know much about US coins
,,,but from its nice condition and all the excited posts it sure seems like you found a real beauty.
You deserve it, I read many posts where you have helped out someone on this forum.
1877 is old and to find it in field with small coil ( was it the 6" HF DD ? ) shows persistence and being thorough pays off .
Good on you.

T59

 

[Digger]

Thanks for the kind words Mike. Ya know, detecting in the field is just like helping out here on the forum.........I enjoy it. If I find a good coin, or am able to help someone else find one, it is well worth the effort. But I appreciate your saying so! Thanks again. HH Randy

 

[Digger]

Thanks T59. The Indian Head cents were made from 1859 to 1909. All of them were minted in Philadelphia, with the 1908 and 1909 also minted in San Francisco. And actually, they do not represent an Indian maiden, as many might believe. They are a representation of Lady Liberty wearing an Indian headdress. The 1877 was an important find due to it's extrememly low mintage. The only IH cent with lower mintage was the 1909 S, which was minted in San Francisco.
I was using the X-Terra 705 with the small DD coil at 18.75 kHz. That frequency is not my favorite, as you may have read in many of my posts. But I needed the smaller coil for target separation, and for working in around the corn stalks. One other thing I did, that I don't typically do in trashy areas, is run my sensitivity to the max. In trashy areas, I feel I lose depth with too much Sensitivity. But due to the fact that the coil was working a couple inches above the ground, I needed all the "boost" I could get. Thanks again for the comments. HH Randy

 

[Treasurechic]

Excellent!!! I love the ones with the green patina! Great find.