JRinkus
Full Member
I know the story is long but its worth the read.
Finally got permission to do a yard nearby my sons soccer practice. The yard was larger than I had initially thought and it took 3 days to complete the whole site. On the first day, and my first dig I found a 1925 Wheat cent. I knew this would be a great site. Continuing, I found many wheat cents and then started digging something I thought would be and old dime. When I pulled out my 3rd button of the day, which I usually place in my garbage pouch, something told me to wait and clean this one up. Not sure why so I did. At the end of the day, while rinsing off the coins I also rinsed off the button. The letter A stood out clear as day. My first thoughts were I think I have a Civil War Army button. After doing my research on the internet. Apparently the only confederate troops in my area (Great Bridge, Chesapeake) were that of an Artillery unit. The 61st Virginia Infantry Regiment was not always an Infantry Regiment, they started the war as a Heavy Artillery Unit, know at the 7th Battalion Virginia Reserves, Company “A”, named the Jackson Grays, not after General Stonewall Jackson but after a hotel owner in Alexandria, Virginia named James W. Jackson. Jackson shot and killed, a Union Colonel with his shotgun, after he cut his large Confederate Flag down from the front of his hotel in Richmond. Jackson was quickly killed by a Union Corporal in retaliation. After reading all this I could not believe I had in my possession a button from this historic unit.
20 minutes into the second day I had a ping that I thought was going to be silver. You can imagine how I felt when I saw the butt of a pistol. My heart was racing until the gun was completely removed from the hole and I realized it was that of a 1920’s cap gun. Don’t think I will ever fully recover from that one. Nearing the end of the day and after many more coins, I dug what I thought was the lid of a water meter. Almost tossed this one in the can with the cap gun. I decided to clean it up a bit more at home to see what it said. After cleaning it that night I was surprised that I had found a War Medal. This Medal was presented to the County of Norfolk for their “Loyalty and Support during, The World War”. (WWI circa 1917) I thought what a great way to end the day.
On my last day I had completed most of the yard and was the furthest I had been from the house. This is when I found my oldest coin for the site, a 1912 wheat cent. Then 100% sure I was digging a silver quarter, I pulled out a pair of Sterling silver airborne jump wings. (WWII circa 1940). I thought to myself Wow! Three wars one yard.
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Close up of the Button
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Before Cleaning the Water Meter Lid
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After Cleaning the Water meter Lid
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Jump Wings
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Born 1859 Died 1929 "She lived how she died, A Christian"
Family Grave marker found in the yard.
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Finally got permission to do a yard nearby my sons soccer practice. The yard was larger than I had initially thought and it took 3 days to complete the whole site. On the first day, and my first dig I found a 1925 Wheat cent. I knew this would be a great site. Continuing, I found many wheat cents and then started digging something I thought would be and old dime. When I pulled out my 3rd button of the day, which I usually place in my garbage pouch, something told me to wait and clean this one up. Not sure why so I did. At the end of the day, while rinsing off the coins I also rinsed off the button. The letter A stood out clear as day. My first thoughts were I think I have a Civil War Army button. After doing my research on the internet. Apparently the only confederate troops in my area (Great Bridge, Chesapeake) were that of an Artillery unit. The 61st Virginia Infantry Regiment was not always an Infantry Regiment, they started the war as a Heavy Artillery Unit, know at the 7th Battalion Virginia Reserves, Company “A”, named the Jackson Grays, not after General Stonewall Jackson but after a hotel owner in Alexandria, Virginia named James W. Jackson. Jackson shot and killed, a Union Colonel with his shotgun, after he cut his large Confederate Flag down from the front of his hotel in Richmond. Jackson was quickly killed by a Union Corporal in retaliation. After reading all this I could not believe I had in my possession a button from this historic unit.
20 minutes into the second day I had a ping that I thought was going to be silver. You can imagine how I felt when I saw the butt of a pistol. My heart was racing until the gun was completely removed from the hole and I realized it was that of a 1920’s cap gun. Don’t think I will ever fully recover from that one. Nearing the end of the day and after many more coins, I dug what I thought was the lid of a water meter. Almost tossed this one in the can with the cap gun. I decided to clean it up a bit more at home to see what it said. After cleaning it that night I was surprised that I had found a War Medal. This Medal was presented to the County of Norfolk for their “Loyalty and Support during, The World War”. (WWI circa 1917) I thought what a great way to end the day.
On my last day I had completed most of the yard and was the furthest I had been from the house. This is when I found my oldest coin for the site, a 1912 wheat cent. Then 100% sure I was digging a silver quarter, I pulled out a pair of Sterling silver airborne jump wings. (WWII circa 1940). I thought to myself Wow! Three wars one yard.
Close up of the Button
Before Cleaning the Water Meter Lid
After Cleaning the Water meter Lid
Jump Wings
Born 1859 Died 1929 "She lived how she died, A Christian"
Family Grave marker found in the yard.
You better beat that place to death!
I would like to see the cap gun to, it sounds cool. 
