Three years ago, wanting to cause a commotion, as he called it, Seth and I teamed up to write a post about metal detecting here. That post remains one of my favorites. Seth at age fourteen is still an avid treasure hunter, and spends countless hours out with his metal detector. He has learned an incredible amount of history over the years, and often carries his finds to the Civil War museum down the road from us to chat with local historians. Honestly, I don’t know what this kid would do with himself if it weren’t for his metal detecting hobby. His first detector was a Garrett Ace 250, and he was able to upgrade to his beloved At Pro about a year ago. When friends ask what metal detector we recommend, we always suggest the Ace 250 for kids roughly ten and up (it’s an adult-sized machine, so they have to be tall and strong enough to handle it.) Seth has been bugging me to take pictures of all his favorite finds using his AT Pro, and this weekend we did just that. I added all the photos to this post, and then he added his own text. I guess my next big project is going to be helping Seth start his own blog, because clearly he needs one. The rest of this post was written by Seth, so if your kids or grandkids are interested, please share with them! There is lots to learn here.
In the past year I have found 87 wheat cents, I guess my AT Pro likes them. Wheat cents were minted between 1909 and 1958. The dates on mine range from 1912 to 1958.
I don’t have every date between those years though. The first coin I found with my AT Pro was a 1919 wheat cent. I think it’s pretty cool that the first coin I found with it was 95 years old!
Here is a close up of some of the wheat cents.
Since I am organizing the coin section of this post by denomination,my Indian head cents and two cent piece come next. I’m sorry it is so hard to see any detail on the Indian head cents, but they have been sitting in the ground for over 100 years and that is a long time to sit and corrode. The 1864 two cent piece in the center of this picture is probably my favorite find of the year. It’s pretty cool (in my opinion).
Here are the reverses of the coins in the picture above.
Here is a close up picture of my favorite find of the year, my 1864 two cent piece.
This picture shows all the v nickels I found. It took me two and a half years to find one. V nickels are named after the roman numeral “v” on their backs, representing five cents. When these coins came out in 1883, the word “cents” wasn’t present on the back, and some people gold plated these coins and passed them off as the new five dollar gold piece. This led to the word “cents” being added to the back in mid 1883.
I found six buffalo nickels this past year, most of them being older dates (the one turned over is a 1921). Most of the coins (peace dollars, walking liberty half dollars, standing liberty quarters, and mercury dimes) minted during the time period that these were made in had very detailed pretty pictures on them and the buffalo nickel is no exception. The buffalo nickel, along with the standing liberty quarter,were designed with the date higher than any other point on the coin. This was fine except for the fact that the date would wear off, leaving a dateless coin.
Allright, it’s about time for some silver! These coins are the best silver coins I have found since getting my AT Pro. In the top row are the Barber quarter and Barber dime I found ( both worth about 40$, not that I would ever sell them or any other find I have) along with the 1771 cut Spanish Pistareen. I got lucky with the Pistareen. The last two digits of the date were on the piece I found meaning it was minted in 1771, my oldest coin by 90 years. Coins like it were cut to make change, I guess they didn’t carry many smaller coins. Spanish coins ( and other foreign coins ) were actually legal tender in the U.S.A until 1857. In the center is my favorite silver coin for the year, the 1944 walking liberty half. I think it is a very pretty coin design, too bad they don’t make them any more. In case any one is wondering why there are three modern looking quarters in this picture, I’ll tell you why. All U.S. quarters, dimes, half dollars, and dollar coins made before 1964 were made of 90% silver.
I’m sure everyone knows what the back of a Washington quarter looks like, so this picture only shows the older coins.
Here are all those wheat pennies again,after I had pushed them out of the way to take pictures of other things.
These are all the mercury dimes I found. This was the design of dime used before the current Roosevelt dime was introduced. I like it much more than the current design.
The 1958 silver dime in the picture above was the first silver coin I found with my AT Pro. I thought that I had found all the coins on our property, but found the 1960 silver dime under the bushes next to our house.
Finally! I’m finished with coins. My mom told me after she had taken all the coin pictures I wanted that there were only 300 pictures of coins on her camera (sarcastically of course). I’m sure some of you are pretty bored with them by now, so lets move on to something else.
This is all the better non-ring jewelry I found. No gold yet, this is all silver except for the earring in the upper left corner which I think is palladium. Oh,wait, I forgot the clasp on the (silver) tin man is marked 14k so I guess I have found some gold after all.
Here are all the better rings I found, seven are silver and the other is copper and is marked world’s fair.
These are two silver thimbles I found, the one on the right was actually laying on top of the ground and I think it is the older of the two.
Now for some Civil War relics. The large buckle in the center is a carbine sling buckle,probably my most valuable find to date. In the lower left corner there is a piece of flattened lead, actually a Civil War bullet a soldier chewed completely flat. The piece of brass below the buckle is a piece off an epaulet or shoulder scale. These relics were all found within walking distance of my house.
The relics shown in this picture are a mixture of Civil War and earlier items. They were found at my secret spot were I also found many other things including the piece of Spanish silver, and the walking liberty half dollar. The cone shaped piece of brass in the upper left center is a bayonet scabbard tip. The broken, upside down button in the center of the picture is probably pre-1800.
Here is a close up of the civil war buttons in the previous picture, the upper one is a New York state seal button, and the others are general service eagle buttons.
Here are a few more relics from near my house, as you can see, the Civil War breastplate fragment in the center of my case was featured in the Garrett searcher newsletter!
Here is a better picture of the relics shown above. On the right are the fronts of two New York state seal buttons, and on the right i a coat-size general service eagle button, and a cuff size general service eagle button. In the center, beneath the breastplate fragment, is the back to a Civil War button. Too bad it doesn’t fit either New York button.
The Civil War relics shown in the previous picture were found on a hilltop near an old home site that I think is more recent than the Civil War. These relics were found with those Civil War relics and related to the old home site and not the Civil War.
These relics were found at one of the old home sites near my house. The best item in this picture the Colt pocket revolver in the center of this picture. These were made during the 1870’s and 80’s. Also worth mentioning is the old harmonica just above the pistol. It has the word “LOVER” in the center and the words “nothing to equal it” and “the very best made.”
These relics were found in my backyard and at home sites in the woods around my house. My favorite find in this case is the post office department button in the top center of this picture. These are probably my favorite buttons to find. I have only found three since I started metal detecting and they were all found at the same site. Pretty easy to guess the job of whoever lived at that home site. A few other notable items in this case are the skeleton key,and the 1941 Virginia dog license.
That sums up my best finds with my AT Pro.
(Seth will answer your questions this evening!)
p.s. Does anyone know what this relic is? I haven’t been able to identify it.
Stef says
Wow, what an incredible collection! I have two young boys and this has definitely convinced me to try and get them into metal detecting when they hit the right age. What an amazing hobby.
Karen T. says
Seth, I thought I would only glance at this post . . . boy was I wrong! Fascinating collection; you’ve done a wonderful job, and your knowledge and enthusiasm are contagious. I’ve never seen a 2 cent coin before, though my favorite was the Walking Liberty. The Civil War relics are amazing. You live in the perfect place to find them (I live in California; obviously NOT a Civil War repository!). Thank you for sharing your finds with us.
Jeannine says
Very Cool Seth!
jennifer bauman says
Seth, This is such a fascinating post. My husband and I read all of it with interest. You’ve done a thorough job of researching your items, and have them displayed very attractively. I am struck by how patient you must be, as I know this has taken a great deal of time. It must be exciting each time you go out with your AT pro, as you never know what you’ll turn up.
Jody says
Wow…this is so great! You definitely live in a prime spot for finding neat things!
Molly Jones says
Brilliant! Yes please start your own blog Seth! I just showed my boys (7, 5) and they were mesmerized! They had so many questions and wanted to see more. They even had post suggestions for your future blog(ha!) , more pictures of each, picture of where you found it and how did you dig it up? You’d have two active followers already!
Dawn says
What an enjoyable post to read (of course, your mom’s are, too!) I was most struck by the Buffalo head nickels. My mother and father lived in Arizona before I was born (he was an AF pilot and undergoing pilot training there) and she fell in love with native American jewelry. She still owns a beautiful necklace made with Buffalo head nickels from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Thanks for reminding me.
My father also use to work as an historic interpreter at Mount Vernon (I would imagine you all have been there.) He would take me to see the new treasures the archaeologists would find when they were doing one restoration project or another. Fascinating! Best of luck to you and thank you for sharing your passion.
Nancy M says
Very neat collection! I was able to share it with my 13 year old son that has a metal detector but hasn’t been able to find much. I thought maybe your post might inspire him to try again but also I think it is neat how you’ve organized your collection. Awesome hobby!
Stacey Davis says
Seth, this is fantastic! I am seriously impressed with your finds and your knowledge. I love the cut Spanish Pistareen, and the mercury dimes – I’ve never seen those before! And I love the jewelry and such – and the Civil War relics are amazing. How great your find was featured in a newsletter.
As for your mystery relic, at the bottom of the post – I don’t do metal detecting (but I want to start!) but I studied art history (I’m 39 now). I don’t know exactly what that find is, but I think it has something to do with ancient Rome. Now, I’m NOT saying it’s a Roman relic (!!) but it looks very like a Roman Imperial coin – google IIII cos ii coin and look at google images. Is it perhaps a replica of a Roman coin? The holes in it puzzle me – can you explain those? Was this a pin or a button or did someone just punch holes in the metal?
This is the kind of mystery I like : ) If I figure out anything further about it, I will let you know. : ) Thanks for sharing this wonderful collection.
Stacey Davis says
Okay, I have to stop for the night, but thought I’d share – I’d say this is definitely Roman coin imagery. This would be the type of image on the reverse of a Roman coin, with the Emperor’s face appearing on the front. I think that the figure may be the god Dionysius. As for the letters, found on the internet:
The SC on the sides of the figure: “SENATUS CONSULTUS – Usually appears on the reverse of bronze coins of the early empire. Bronze coins were issued under the authority of the Senate while gold and silver was issued under imperial authority.”
COS – “CONSUL – The consuls was the chief magistrates of the Roman government. Two were appointed each year. This title is often followed by a numeral which indicates the number of times the emperor had held this position. It is another useful tool in dating coins.”
seth says
I think it was some sort of copy, the holes would have allowed it to be used as a button.
Stacey Davis says
Thanks, Seth. That is my best guess, too.
jere says
Seth,
I thoroughly enjoyed your collection. I have some old coins but I have never seen a 2 cent coin..very interesting.
How exciting to never know what you will find…but bet you have found a life’s hobby.
marmepurl says
Hi Seth,
I too am facinated by your finds. Several years ago I took a few Historical Preservtion classes at UMW. One of my favorite adventures during that time was an archeological dig near Falmouth. Of course you know that Union troops camped all over that area. Perhaps the one I worked on is connected with your secret spot?! We we charged with investigating the area before developement started as required by law. There are numerous private firms that perform that kind of work. Learning the proper dig protocal was as interesting as the treasures we found. There are many avenues for you to consider turning your interst in relic hunting into a career at some point. Nerver stop learning!
All the best to you.
seth says
Probably not. My secret spot is on private property and hasn’t been hunted before to my knowledge.
Isabel says
what a great post! I think you have a future curator on your hands…..
Alice R. says
Seth, I cannot tell you how very much I have enjoyed your post! It seems your hunts have yielded great treasures, and I have enjoyed learning all about them. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Kim O. says
What a timely piece! I just bought some old coins, pale in comparison to your collection to show a friend last night, who is also 14 and has just started collecting coins. He is an intelligent interesting young man, just like yourself. Wow! So impressive. Excuse my ignorance, but the arrow shaped objects, several of them in your civil war collection…I believe someone else asked, are they bullets? And what are they made of?? Keep collecting, so much fun!
seth says
Yes, they are bullets. They are made of lead and are quite heavy.
thecrazysheeplady says
Seth, this is an AMAZING collection! I thought I would just glance at it, not thinking I had any real interest in metal detecting, but you’ve done such a good job finding and displaying and documenting and explaining everything. Your enthusiasm is completely contagious. NICE JOB!
Kendra @ A Sonoma Garden says
Thanks for the inspiration Seth! My 8 year old son saw a man with a metal detector at the park the other week (his first time seeing one) and he hasn’t stopped talking about it. I showed him all you’ve found and now he wants one even more! What a fun hobby!
Jada Sharp says
I am going to show this to my 8 year old son. He got a medal detector for Christmas and he is ready for it to warm up so he can go out hunting!
Sara says
Seth, have you considered being an art conservator? My husband graduated from the artifact stream at Queen’s University (Ontario) and what you are doing, plus some, is his career.
Susan says
Super cool! Thanks so much for sharing–I love this kind of thing. And on a side note, you are a very well-spoken young man. Congrats on an awesome collection, and best wishes for more awesome finds!
Susan says
Wow, very impressive! It makes me want to metal detect:) My favorite is the M ring. I can imagine it belonged to someone’s beloved.
Thanks for sharing
Leslie K says
Thanks for sharing Seth! This was really interesting!
Peggy says
Really cool collection! Makes me want to go out and buy a metal detector!
Thanks for posting.
H says
Thanks Seth!
I learned a lot and I think a metal detector might be in this grandmother’s future! What a great hobby and learning experience for you! I enjoy your mom’s blog and I enjoy getting to know all about your family! Any suggestions on where to start searching?
Shannon Dennis says
Seth, These are truly wonderful!
Angela says
Fabulous finds! You have brought back a childhood memory of my uncle who would metal detect when our families were on vacation together. What a wonderful way to learn history! I have passed this post onto my 13 year old son. Thanks so much for sharing!
Layne Costello says
Well done, Seth, well done.
Monique says
Seth, your collection is so cool! You make ME want to take up metal detecting and I’m a 48 year old woman! 🙂
thanks for sharing all your cool finds!
Corina says
Thank you so much for sharing your finds! They are amazing! I would love to read more posts about your hobby and your finds – I would share them with my 3 sons. I would also enjoy reading your advice on how to get started and how to find places to hunt for treasures! Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
Natalie says
Hi Seth,
I am 14 as well, and I think your collection is really neat. You found all those things near your house? Wow! The non-coin things are my favorite. What is the flat “medical information” disk in the tin man picture? Also, the cone-shaped things in the Civil War pictures are bullets, right? (sorry, but I actually am not sure) In the Mystery Relic picture, I think the letters around the edge say Nil Cosi(two I’s?, or an H?) and then a thing that looks like a keyhole. Nil means None in Latin…the image of the figure seems to have been stamped in bas relief (that’s what it’s called right?) onto the back to show up on the front. Is the image a woman? A monster? it kind of looks like that snaky thing at its side is a tail…could it be the Devil, with the staff/trident? It’s weird. Do you have any idea of its date? Thanks for writing this post and sharing your finds, a homeschooled history buff has enjoyed it 🙂
seth says
Yes, the cone shaped objects are bullets. I don’t know exactly what the medical info disc is, I put it in the post because it is marked sterling silver.
Tania says
What a beautifully curated and cool collection of treasures – and your knowledge is very impressive. You must have been pretty chuffed to be featured in the magazine…and your mom’s blog 😉
Jenn B says
Wow. What a fun hobby! Thanks for sharing your finds with all of us!
Eileen says
Very interesting and cool post Seth, I read every word, learned somethings and loved it. Thanks
Bev says
I too would definitely follow a blog by Seth. This was so informative and an absolute pleasure to read. I lingered over all the photos and agree with every comment above.
kirsten says
What a cool post!! Way to go, Seth. Very informative and interesting. I love all the different coins and reading the history behind them. I think my favorite is the lovely silver ring with the M monogramed on it. What an amazing collection of treasures!
Naomi says
So much history being ignored under our feet every day! In the hills behind our town some people go metal detecting for relics from WWII. And, in those same hills, are the remains of a town from the late iron age. It’s fascinating to think of those peaceful forests bustling with activity.
I love two of the silver rings and would wear them 🙂
Trista says
This collection is beautiful and impressive in its history and of your efforts. I wish you many more exciting finds!
jacq says
I really enjoyed reading your post! Thank you for writing it, I love history but I feel like my country, Australia, only has a small amount because we are relatively new! I recently traveled to Port Arthur in Tasmania which is the oldest settlements here. I wonder what you would find there? Is there any where you would love to travel to to search for relics?
Christy says
Hi Seth–look up Roman denarii coins. That looks like it might be what you have here, though strange it would wind up in the dirt in the U.S.! If that’s what it is, the COS II on the right side would mean whoever is featured on the coin is serving his second term as consul (I think!). The other letters on the coin could tell you who it was, if you can read them.
seth says
I don’t think it is a Roman coin. My best guess is that it was some sort of copy made to use as a button.
dairylady says
Excellent job Seth. It is so interesting to look at the relics and just imagine the people that lived there. Love it, love it.
Lisa says
I love your collection, Seth!! The harmonica appears to be a Ferdinand Strauss Clover Harmonophone. Great find!!
Olivia says
That’s absolutely fascinating, thanks for sharing your finds with us. I love that most of the things you’re telling us about were found so close to where you live – makes you think about what’s under our feet every day!
Rachel Bee says
Oh my! What amazing pictures. You have your own museum. How cool and incredible that you found so much of this close to where you live too. Beautifully organised and displayed too. Wow!
Please do start your own blog, what a wonderful resource for other children and adults.
Keep up the incredible hunting!
x
Wendi says
This was a great post! I’d really like to know more about where you can hunt, etc. before we would make an investment in a metal detector. It looks like an incredibly fun hobby, though. We’ve just moved to the middle of the country, so I’m thinking we might not find as many cool historical thing as you’ve found on the East coast. Definitely post more!
Yanic says
Such an amazing collection : No boredom here!!!! Great job. If he does start his blog, please let us know!
Heather says
What a great hobby! Sounds like you’re in a wonderful spot for it. You created a very interesting and well curated collection!
Audrey says
Seth, this is truly AMAZING and so inspiring! I can see why you like metal detecting so much. It’s fascinating! My favorites above are the tin man charm and the turtle ring. I intend to show this to my daughter when she gets home from school. We keep talking about getting a metal detector to search in the woods behind my parent’s home. You may have inspired me to actually do it!!! Awesome post!
ellen kelley says
Oh my goodness..what wonders you have unearthed. I can only imagine your excitement when that happens. What a wonderful lifelong pursuit. You have done a magnificent job here…both with your curating and your words. Thank you so much. I have truly enjoyed your post and you have my deep respect for your talent and your dedication.
Charge on!
Joe says
Hey Seth really enjoyed seeing and hearing about all the stuff you’ve found and collected. I’m about your age and am an amateur coin collector myself but since i live in the midwest i have to find most of my coins in circulation, your really lucky living in such an old part of the country where theres lots of history to be dug up.
Thanks for the post.
Andrea says
What a wonderful post! Your finds are one of my favorite parts of your mom’s blog! I agree you should have a blog of your own with a best finds link up like the yarn along! As some of the other posters mentioned, I was wondering if there is a metal detector you could recommend for a younger child – turning 6. It would also be interesting to know how you find places to search. Are you allowed to search in state parks? Some how to blog posts by you would be so interesting! Thank you for sharing!
seth says
The only metal detector small enough for a young child to use that isn’t complete junk is the bounty hunter junior.
Rachel Marie says
What a great hobby for a young man! It is so cool that you get to learn all this history along with your treasure hunting, Seth. If you feel like doing a follow up post, it would be really great to hear what advice you could give for someone just starting out in metal detecting- things like where you can and cannot hunt, how much time to expect to look before you actually find anything (I suppose that depends where you live), best ways to organize your finds, figure out what they’re worth, etc. Thanks for sharing this! My 13 year old son enjoyed this post as well.