A Lucky Day?(YES) Short Hunt produces a Very Rare Large Cent and a NJ copper

[Sheldon NC-2 for 1797 is a RARITY 6!]

The temperature finally dropped to a very comfortable range for hunting in the woods, so I went out this morning with at least the goal of getting the ole swingin arms back into shape after no detecting for awhile.  If I found anything good it would be considered a bonus.

I was pleasantly surprised with the results of my 2 hours on a small site that a few years ago produced only a few late 1700s buttons and a thimble or two.

The first find was the button which upon cleaning appears to be a acorn in the center, so rather nice to get one with some design.

The second find was a somewhat iffy coin reading, very deep and I was hoping it was a coin and not a large button or other copper item. To my delight a round copper piece appears.   This coin after cleaning was identified as a 1786 NJ copper!  The variety is a 14-J (common type) Maris 15-L (Common variety)......

The third find was a reading that was bouncing from a good copper to a iron type reading, but since it was for sure an solid reading I dug and was rewarded with a hunk of rusty something that at once reminded me possibly of being part of a musket.   Need help on this one for a possible ID.


The fourth find was another iffy reading and it appears after cleaning just to be a round lead disc that someone drilled a hole in, for awhile I thought it might be a counterfeit coin, but I see no details indicating so.

The fifth find was just a brass round ring shaped type relic, no idea, nothing of significance that is for sure. It is in the group shot at the end of this post.
But, the 6th target was the best find of the day and one of my top finds ever for rarity.  I knew it was a large cent by the size and thickness and was fairly certain it was a Draped Bust.  Upon cleaning, I saw that it had nice details and I would without too much problem be able to attribute the variety.  I got out Breen's book on early year large cents and looking at my coin I noticed the cud on the edge of the reverse so I started by looking for one that matched. Sure enough I found one rather quickly, and believe me, there are many varieties of 1797 so I was pleasantly surprised I found my match within minutes.

Well, then I looked at the rarity for this one, and the Sheldon NC-2 for 1797 is a RARITY 6!  That is Very Rare and that made me want to get another opinion before I posted here..  I did so and it has been confirmed that it is indeed the NC-2, the cud is the giveaway for IDing it and I have been told only about 22 of this variety are known.   Since Large Cent collectors are a large group, that is good news for me.  
I wish it did not have the corrosion damage, but the coin is what the coin is, I did my best to conserve the coin and it is a welcomed addition to my collection.


 So, my short hunt, in July (a July hunt is a rare event for me) made my month for sure.   I still prefer the 1793 I got earlier this year for the thrill of the find, but it sure is nice finding another rare Large Cent variety.

Don

     Very nice coin and your other finds are just as impressive, congrats!

HH Charlie

Anything that rare, I would have to say BANNER... 

Wow...now there's a banner worthy item!  Green with envy for those large cents.  Wanting one of any of the colonial styles but doubt they will come my way where I am.
I hope the other chunk of iron is what you think it is. The coins are always good but the history/relic is that much cooler!

   I guess this means your back!   

   Seems like this year is going to be one of your best ever if things keep popping out like that!     

   I think the holed lead served a purpose because I have found them before, and seen some posted.   I also agree on the accorn, and if the iron is a musket hammer it sure is thick with rust!

most excellent finds congrats

   Ju$t $een one of the$e for $ale. 

   

You continue to fascinate me Don with your finds.   

 Those finds in a two hour hunt would make anyones day    The Draped Bust is truly awsome and how many NJ coppers does this make for you?

 1 of 22 known on the LC,    You have a BANNER vote from me too


                                        VPR

 

B B B B B BANNNER FIND.

Well done. I think the state of the 1797 is very nice and having the CUD on the coin probably helped allot. A very unique find there I must say. Thank you for sharing and keep on looking in the area.

Be Well

U are the man Don I think I need to start hunting more woods.  Great finds

very sweet draped bust, Don.
how many sheldon varieties have you unearthed now, and how many left to go?
you've got my BANNER vote!

dwayne

Great hunt, awesome coppers cool button too!

I'll vote Banner on an R-6 Largie.     I thought you'd spent all your good karma digging TWO Capped Bust Halves this year!  Great to see both of those excellent coins--the LC could've easily been overlooked in favor of the NJ being the star find of the hunt, so Bravo for looking through the 1797's for an ID on the variety.  That button is a nice addition to the collection as well.  I have not seen a type decorated like that before.

Cheers,


Buckles

Congrats on the Large Cent! Gonna have to hit the Banner button!

You've got my banner vote, as well! The lead thing with a hole is a 19th century nail seal, I believe. I dig them a lot and got them ID'd by a friend at the VA Historical Society.

You've got my banner vote, as well! The lead thing with a hole is a 19th century nail seal, I believe. I dig them a lot and got them ID'd by a friend at the VA Historical Society.

Hmmmn  on the nail seal,  it is a round hole, so I would lean heavily against it being a nail seal. 

Don

Those finds in a two hour hunt would make anyones day    The Draped Bust is truly awsome and how many NJ coppers does this make for you?

 1 of 22 known on the LC,    You have a BANNER vote from me too


                                        VPR

My 15th New Jersey copper, wish it were more.

Don

You've got my banner vote, as well! The lead thing with a hole is a 19th century nail seal, I believe. I dig them a lot and got them ID'd by a friend at the VA Historical Society.

Hmmmn  on the nail seal,  it is a round hole, so I would lean heavily against it being a nail seal. 

Don

Why does a round hole rule out a nail seal? The seal hasn't been used and the hole simply acts as a primer. At least that's how it was explained to me.

Not many square nails would go through a round hole that small and not make the hole squarish.  Also,  no nails found at all at this site, not even sure a building was ever there, maybe just a work campsite for the nearby iron stone mining.

Don

Not many square nails would go through a round hole that small and not make the hole squarish.  

Don

This is an unused seal and the nail hasn't gone through the hole yet. Here's a thread where it was ID'd by members of the TNet community, as well. This is just a best guess based on feedback from others. I'd love to hear differing opinions as I dig them frequently.

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index....c,293821.msg2115391.html#msg2115391

Those finds in a two hour hunt would make anyones day    The Draped Bust is truly awsome and how many NJ coppers does this make for you?

 1 of 22 known on the LC,    You have a BANNER vote from me too


                                        VPR

My 15th New Jersey copper, wish it were more.

Don

 Your 15th NJ copper !    To think that I was hoppin' when I found my toasted 1 NJ...........

       Thanks for posting,             VPR

Congrats on the rare LC, NJ copper and other finds, banner  

TommNJ

Don,  You always seem to find some awesome coins!     

Congrats on the sweet Draped Bust and NJ largies!     

Awesome hunt Don, Congrats on the rare Largie, my banner vote is in  !!!!!!!!!   

Bubba65

Awesome Coin!!

[GREAT]

Congats Don, another GREAT find.. you've had one hell of a year

i always love to see whats been posted by you don!you are a true hunter! and this is also a awesome post. congrats bud!  willy

That 1797 is in excellent shape  a lot better then most late 1800,s Great find  Dd60

Man Don ! Nice going on that Sheldon NC-2 for 1797 ! Some other Great Finds too. I have never seen a button with an acorn in the middle.
BB

Don, I am sure you've told us all before on preservation tips, but how did you preserve the 1797 coin?  Olive oil?
Thanks for your reply (no doubt I'm being repetitious!).

Definate banner. R-6, WHOOOOO-HOOO! And all in 2 hours!

I gotta ask: how did you choose to conserve the 1797? It looks pretty darn great considering...

Congrats Don on your finds, it's good to see you can get out and do a little hunting.
Weather has been beautiful here this week, only I'm working. I hope to get out and hunt soon.
Once again we should be seeing you on the banner

WOW! utterly amazing! love your posts Don.a HUUUGE CONGRATS!

Congratulations on your finds and on making the banner Don!
Loved your pics and the story behind them as well.

good to see your out swinging again with a vengence.... Congrats on such a great coin... but I bet knowing what you have when you pull it directly from the hole brings a bigger rush then identifying it later...

Summer detecting by Don!  A rare event, indeed!

Nice going on the LC.  One of 22 known is amazing! The NJ copper is also a beauty!   Your 15th!!!  Not many people can claim to have found more than a few.  (I am still looking for my first.  I am finding plenty of coppers, but the horses head still eludes me!).

I have come across a few lead items like yours.  I was told by one person that they were makeshift buttons, but I would think it would have more than one hole if it was any type of button. 

Congrats on your banner find!
Neil

  Awsome LC!  Congrats on the banner, much deserved.

  Congrats again Don 

looks similar to the one i dug 2-weeks ago.  guess i will post to have it looked at. the detail on mine is very good. wow thats awsome

big hearty congrats on that coin and on making the banner !!!

Nothin better than seein a draped bust in all her glory up on the banner!

Great coppers Don! Congrats on the banner!

Thats awesome Don,congrats !  I found a 1797 last year but I've never looked up the variety.....I guess mabey I might outa do that.   If you keep making banner Don we may just want to put up a pic of you on there and keep it updated. 

Well done on the Banner

I'm always amazed that these low numbers known match the rarity of many of the Celtic Coins I find.  Strange that coins nearly 2000 years apart are so similar in numbers

 YOU DA' MAN DON  -  Cents this rare in any acceptable condition are a blessing! (as I'm sure you agree).  I loved hunting the Pine Barrens , I always brought home more chiggers than coins in summer.  Let me compliment you on your coin type researching skills.  ....And your biting insect bravery!  At any rate, kudos, TERRIFIC find!

I usually post photos of the site I find my relics at but a lot of times I try to limit the weight I carry on me and on this hunt, all I had with me was my regular cell phone.  I forgot I did take a few photos of the site and finds, quality sucks but since I downloaded them to my computer thought I might as well post them. 

LOL, I noticed I forgot one relic in my original post, part of a knee buckle (I think, have to look in my fishing vest pocket, must have missed it when I got home).


Also, even though I don't consider selling my coins, despite value, here is part of a reply I got from a collector concerning the NC-2 variety.

I can also pass along to you that the Noyes/Bland CC book lists 22 known examples making it a solid R6.  The nicest is a sharpness 40/net 20 example in ANS.  After that it drops off quite a bit.  The second nicest is only listed as VG10/net VG 10.  There is an example listed as a VG10/netG5 Average minus at #14 in the census.  I am guessing yours might be somewhere in there.  The prices guides I have vary, and are kind of old, (CQR # 19 and Noyes 2ed.), but they put a coin like this in the $1000-2000 range. 


Again, I want to emphasize that trying your best to get every old coin attributed by "variety" can be very important, the difference in thinking you have a run of the mill coin, when it just might be a very rare coin.  So proper removal of the dirt that is hiding details for ensuring a good identification does reap rewards in knowing what you really have found.   It makes no sense to spend all the time researching a site, hunting and then when you get a find, not trying to find out as much as you can about it...........

I mentioned in my original post about the button with the acorn on it.  It was a symbol used back in late 1700s thru the 1800s for a representation of several things,  strength, long life, in other words sort of a good luck symbol, so that is cool to know. 

Don