CTpilgrim
Elite Member
I went out today exploring looking for a new place to dig some bottles and I’m still in shock at what happened. I went to a spot I’ve hunted before without a ton of luck. I’ve found a couple coppers and a few buttons but I think the place has probably been hammered over the years. There are two cellar holes pretty close to each other and one is on the 1868 map so I figured there has to be a dump somewhere on the property. The place is brutal with the amount of prickers oh and don’t forget about the ticks trying to get in one last meal before winter. I was working along the walls that line the perimeter of the property and got down to the low spot near a swamp. I found some shotgun shells and rifle casings along the way but I was really actually hoping to find old trash. I went through an opening in the wall that didn’t look original, almost like it had been bulldozed open by the loggers but it looked like a perfect spot for a bottle dump. I tripped over a solid 21-22 signal and thought it could possibly be a copper. I didn’t even have a shovel with me I just had my hand rake for digging bottles so I hacked open a hole and there was a thin silver staring at me. The picture is exactly how it came out and I can’t believe I didn’t destroy it but I don’t think I even hit it. It is a 1783 half reale in really good condition. I took some pictures and put it in my wallet so it was safe and I was thrilled. Then a few feet away I dug another rifle casing and then about 15 feet from where the reale was I get a solid 20 signal. I figured it was probably another rifle casing so I hacked open another hole and swung over the dirt. I got it out with the pinpointer and couldn’t believe it. I could tell it was a half dime and I thought I had my first capped bust but then I saw the half dime on the back. It turned out to be an 1849 seated half dime in absolutely incredible condition. The only thing I can figure is that this was the original opening in the wall and maybe there was a gate there and these were lost when people were getting off a cart to open or close the gate. The reale was in circulation for a bit but I don’t think the half dime was in circulation for very long at all. I never did find a bottle dump but I would say it was a pretty good day. I never would have even noticed this spot if I hadn’t been looking for the dump so this was just absolutely dumb luck. I canvassed the area and that was all there was. The photos are of coins cleaned with just some water and I don’t think I will do anything else to them. I looked at the half dime under a loupe and the details are stunning. You can actually see a die crack and I think it would probably grade at least a 50 but I’m no expert not that I would ever sell it.
congrats on another GREAT hunt, and good luck on the next trip!
