1950's house gives up silver and an amazing suprise

[gameoftag]

I had the privilege to hunt the house of a co-worker built in the 50's last night. As always, I pull up old aerials of the property and research all I can to get a feel for the site. Looked like this place was only a field prior to the subdivision being built.



He had told me it was the second house built in the subdivision. I didn't have high hopes, but thought maybe I would get a Rosie out of it. I did barely squeeze out silver with a 64 Rosie.



After I took the pics, I started going through the stuff and I had what I thought to be a junction box knockout, but after looking closer, it was perfectly round without any jagged spot like the junction box knockouts have. It was perfectly round. My wife then saw lines and she said it was probably a smashed penny and the lines were the remnants of the memorial building. Didn't make sense as it was perfectly round and a smashed penny would not be round. She kept playing with it scrubbing at it with a toothbrush, then she announced that she sees a 5 in the middle............WHAT?? I ran over, and sure enough, It was A shield Nickel. It is completely worn thin, but it has rays so it is either 1866 or 1867.



Cannot believe where this was found. It was only 4" down and right on the edge of the sidewalk by their front door. How this got here, I'll never know, but it is my first Shield Nickel so I am as pleased as can be.

[sgtwilks]

Congratz! Well researched and great finds!!

[Dig Joy]

Wow, WTG on the shield! Where are the rays? I also dug one with no date...

[bushmasta]

That is just awesome. I love being surprised when you thought you had nothin

[gameoftag]

Originally Posted by Dig Joy

Wow, WTG on the shield! Where are the rays? I also dug one with no date...

Rays are in between the stars on the Reverse. The pic does not show them very well, but looking at it, they are clearly there...... that was until I tried a little light scrubbing with an SOS pad to get the last junk off the reverse, now, you can barely see the 5. Pretty bummed. Glad I took a pic before I did it. After that, I left the front alone.

[milco]

Well I knew it was good when you called last night! You gotta love surprises like that, you just never know and that is why I never turn down the opportunity to hunt a yard no matter how old the house. A find like that ever so often keeps you motivated!

[William-NM]

That's really a cool find, especially when it's so unexpected. Dirt has a life of it's own - who knows where the fill may have started out or who camped in that field long ago... one of the things I love about this hobby!

[jack&jill]

Silver and a surprise.... "Game," you have earned the success. May the doors continue to open for you. Congrat's! Jack

[matmit]

Way to go!!
That is an awesome and unexpected surprise.

[cntrydncr1]

always nice to have those little surprises. congrats

[327]

Do you mind me asking what resource you use for older ariel photos of land? I need to learn how to research this stuff.

Edit: Congrats on the find! I guess you just never know what a place will hold.

[gameoftag]

Originally Posted by 327

Do you mind me asking what resource you use for older ariel photos of land? I need to learn how to research this stuff.

Edit: Congrats on the find! I guess you just never know what a place will hold.

PM sent.

[bazeball7]

What a great surprise! Congrats on the shield!

[Sonny b]

Quality finds!!! Congrats on that oldie and silver.