Sometimes the metal detecting gods are watching, and they reward people for good deeds. You see, I had to take the entire morning off last Saturday from metal detecting to babysit, which of course was wonderful as I got to spend time with my daughter. Nonetheless, I was itching to get back to a new site I had recently discovered. So on this day, I would have to start hunting at 2:00 p.m. and probably only get in a few hours before the dark would settle in.

There really are no words to describe the satisfaction one feels when a long winter’s research pays off exactly as one was dreaming about all those cold, long winter evenings. I had the good fortune to feel that way on this memorable early spring hunt.

You see, I had employed my entire internet and Google Earth skills to come across a section of an old town that I felt might have been inhabited quite a long time ago. In fact, my research showed this section was part of the original settlement in this town, but it was abandoned sometime in the early 1800’s. That put the timeframe it was inhabited from roughly 1650 to 1830. Nowadays, the entire section is wooded over, and lies beyond a large office park complex. Well, that sounded like a recipe for success to me.

In fairness, this was the fourth time in the last month that I had hunted this location. My first hunt yielded a nice 1899 Indian Head penny and a beautiful 1748 King George II Hibernia half penny. The second time netted me a beautiful 1826 Matron Head Large Cent. Hunt #3 was an 1833 Robinson’s Jones Hard Times token. So I knew these woods were productive.

On this hunt, I headed to a location that was three or four old fields beyond an old cellar hole I had found. Thus far, I have found two cellar holes in these woods, which is not much of a feat as they are both right off the main path. My research indicates there are at least three other cellar holes waiting for me to find. These woods are loaded with nice stone walls that crisscross throughout.

The section I hunted on this day was clearly an old grazing field. I could tell by the size of the lot, the stone wall construction, and the proximity of it to the cellar hole. Within two minutes entering into this field, my Super 12” coil passed over a very strong and clear target. The target was right at the entrance to the wooded field. It was easy to tell that this was going to be a modern Washington quarter, a large cent, or a colonial copper. I could tell simply by the tone and strength of signal. Well, at about 6” deep, out pops a classic New England disc – all flat on both sides, but with the very faint outline of George II. Cool. Any colonial is a good colonial in my book. Later that night, while running water over the obverse and reverse, I was able to see “INDE ET LIB” and “CONNECTICUT”.  A Connecticut copper.

Having placed George in olive oil, I headed towards the other end of the field where the other break in the stone wall was. Upon approaching the break, I heard a broken – almost chattering – signal in my headphones on my DFX. I have a rule when I hunt in deep, fairly clean woods; if I can get a consistent beep while sweeping a target– even if it is low on the VDI – I dig it. I am so glad I followed my rule. There is no better feeling then grabbing a handful of dirt after digging about 12”, waving it in front of your coil, and knowing whatever you were digging is now in your fist. A few seconds later I saw that unmistakable shine of silver.

I don’t know about you, but when I am in the field I tend to loose size perception on some of my digs. Sure it is easy to tell a farthing from a half penny when you’re at home, but try doing it in the field when you have no point of reference. That’s what happened with this find. I could immediately see it was a Seated Liberty, but all I could read on the reverse was “DIME”. I hate rubbing coins, so I dipped her in oil and brushed lightly – “HALF DIME”. My first half dime. I danced for a good 2 or 3 minutes all alone in the field. But what year?

At my age, the eyes don’t work so well anymore. I thought I saw “1887”. Having never found a half dime before, I am no expert on them, but I was thinking, “Wait, what year did they start making shield nickels? It can’t be 1887, that’s way too late. Or is it? Man, I wish I had my red book.” I am happy to say I am the proud owner of a very nice “1837” Seated Liberty Half Dime. It was only later that I found out 1837 was the very first year of issue for any seated liberty coin, and that 1837 half dimes are unique in that they are the only half dimes with no stars around lady liberty on the obverse. Very cool.

With a George and my half dime already “in the bank”, my hunt was already a day to remember. It only took about 30 minutes more to really ratchet things up a notch or two. That same lovely strong signal of a colonial copper. Bam, bam, bam. Consistent and clear. At about 6” deep and only about 20 feet or so from the half dime, I was lucky to dig another copper. Only this time, I knew immediately what is was. I could clearly make out the unmistakable Indian with Bow on the obverse with the word “COMMON WEALTH” around the top, and on the reverse an eagle with the word “MASSACHUSETTS” around the top. “Yessssssssssss!!”, was my scream in the middle of the woods to no one but myself, “a Massachusetts Cent…!!” A beautiful 1788 Mass cent, and in nice condition. Also a first for me. What a day this was turning out to be.

The hunt ended with one more very nice, recognizable 1740 King George II half penny, and a small religious pendant. All in all, I found (4) keeper coins, (2) musket balls, a shoe buckle frame, and a religious medal. Not bad for only 3 hours in the woods in the middle of nowhere.

I have already volunteered to babysit again next Saturday morning, and then go metal detecting only in the afternoon. Please pay attention, metal detecting gods.
Happy hunting…. J