Trip to S.C. = 1853 Longacre "Type I" Liberty Head Gold Dollar!

What's up guys  Just got back from a visit to see my mother, and brothers and sister down in South Carolina.  While there, I did some research and found an old Confederate camp that was used to hold Yankee prisoners for about six months.  The place is near my parents property and is overgrown with brush and woods now.  On Friday I went out there to look around very late in the afternoon. After locating what looked like the breastworks and rifle-pits that would've surrounded it I dropped my
coil and within 5 minutes found a decent Eagle Button and that was all the evidence that I needed, the smoking gun so to speak, and secured my appointment to go back the next afternoon.  Here's the video below about 2 hours into the dig and starts with me digging out the hole:


<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/PtvC2iUPfro" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/PtvC2iUPfro</a>


Second video after I took a few minutes to collect myself:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/jVyQsYryu8I" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/jVyQsYryu8I</a>





Needless to say I was stunned when that popped out.  It was the LAST thing in the World that I would've expected to see come out.  This camp was erected late in the war and most Confederate soldiers would not have had access to U.S. Gold coins like this.  I believe that this was a Gold coin that was somehow hidden by a Northern soldier to keep until he was released or to use to bargain for goods.  A U.S. Gold Dollar could by ALOT in the late war Confederacy and that soldier knew it.  He could've used it to barter for foodstuffs (potatoes, bread, etc) really just about anything.  He either buried it or lost it but I'm pretty sure it was probably lost because you just didn't bury something like gold and not recover it, unless of course that soldier died or was moved so abruptly that there WAS no time to recover it.  
            My brother was with me behind the camera and was amazed and he got alittle mad because he didn't find much (he wasn't over the learning curve quite yet with the Ace 250 w/ 10x14 Excelerator Coil).  This Dollar was the most minted of the years but is in great condition.  According to PCGS the high points are the hair near the coronet and the points of the leaves on the reverse and there's very little to no wear.  Comparing it to the PCGS photos of this coin, it grades in the higher AU range.  If it had been a "D" or "C" worth more but just to dig a Civil War era Gold coin is a very rare and exhilarating find indeed and something I won't ever forget!  Thanks for looking



Photos (Uncleaned)










Photos (Rinsed with alittle water)

Awesome, you did the research and it paid off!!
HH
Bunker

       What in the heck are you going to dig next Josh-the Crown of the Queen of Egypt??? Great find. I'm sure you will find a little spot in your collection for that baby. WTG AGAIN and HH, Quindy.

Sentinel, that is a STUNNING find and a terrific historical find.  The emotion in that video was awesome.  Congratulations, this one will be on the banner in no time!

Now there is a BANNER!!People dont realize that yes all gold coins are rare but the small $1.00,and even $2.5 is REALLY RARE!For one they are small and dont really give a great signal and two,small denomination gold wasnt extremely popular!Good for you Sentinal!!!!

That is a great coin   beautiful in good shape , one that is always on anyone,s list show the Eagle button also . Real good hunt Banner find !!   Dd60

Amazing find,  great that you caught it on camera!

Wow just wow....

[I've been about to die to tell everyone what you found! (Someone called and let me in on your fantastic hunt this weekend.) Absolutely stunning find, Senti! Banner day! And always GREAT to see the videos! Nana there................now, I feel better.]

I've been about to die to tell everyone what you found!   (Someone called and let me in on your fantastic hunt this weekend.)   

   Absolutely stunning find, Senti! Banner day! And always GREAT to see the videos!

                           Nana

                                                                there................now, I feel better.

Hello Banner Gold!!   

Glad to finaly see it buddy, been waitin two days to get my eyes on it. What a find. Wow. You have reached the top of the mountain. Hope your right up next to me on the banner board my friend. You obviously have my vote.

Congrats to you on finding such a beautiful coin.  Wow.  You find some amazing finds.  

[God bless our veterans! Thank you for your sacrifices!]

I am so glad you captured that coin coming up on video!

Big congrats on an amazing BANNER find!!!

What a feeling that must have been to see that in your hand!

We have a

Banner all the way. You have my vote. How do you get so luckey?? That is one hell of a find, Sentinel

  Mercy Josh .. That  gold piece is a beauty !!! Banner vote ..            CMD     vid

" What in the heck are you going to dig next Josh-the Crown of the Queen of Egypt??? "   No he's going to repeal  Healthcare all by himself.....You dawg you!!!   What a beautiful coin Josh....You got my Banner vote bud.One helluva year for ya.  

Absolutely one of the best gold finds that I've seen in a long time
Loved the video of you finding it as well, did you find anymore gold while you were there!
Banner vote is in!

  FANTASTIC       Great videos,  I vote BANNER. I think you should visit the folks soon and see what other cool finds are waiting for you.         Poppy;

Oh yeah Josh......One more Bud,one more 

Outstanding find.  Still looking for my first gold coin.

That's a great day Josh. never found a gold coin.
Chris

Three words come to mind here. Location, dedication, perseverance.

You had them all going for you that day!

Congratulations! What a find!

   you must be running out of that wish list, time to right a new one

Been unable to hit a gold coin this year, I still hold out hope but even over here they are a red letter day

Awesome Coin!!!   

Glad for you ,and on tape to so that the thrill of the hunt can be expierienced over and over again!

      What in the heck are you going to dig next Josh-the Crown of the Queen of Egypt??? Great find. I'm sure you will find a little spot in your collection for that baby. WTG AGAIN and HH, Quindy.

  LOL.  I expected to find a South Carolina or Georgia button, maybe a U.S. plate, but never did it cross my mind to find a gold coin there Quin.  As God as my

witness I was almost speechless  

AWESOME MAN! lol your reaction was like mine when i dug the GW button  that's incredible and very happy for ya!
ya got my BANNER vote!

almost sounds like this

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/14/ge...ia.civil.war.camp/index.html?hpt=C1
 

OMG that is one kick butt killer find.. I love it.. and I have to give ya big huge credit for going that deep into the woods there, my god, they had me scared to death to hit high grassy areas let alone in the woods, so ya know I gotta ask, did ya come across any snakes?  Did I also tell ya, man oh man are you brave..  

Outstanding find! 1.67 grams and 13mm = tough to find.

Would look great on the Banner!

[I've been about to die to tell everyone what you found! (Someone called and let me in on your fantastic hunt this weekend.) Absolutely stunning find, Senti! Banner day! And always GREAT to see the videos! Nana there................now, I feel better.]

Sentinel, that is a STUNNING find and a terrific historical find.  The emotion in that video was awesome.  Congratulations, this one will be on the banner in no time!

Thanks Terpfan!

That is a great coin   beautiful in good shape , one that is always on anyone,s list show the Eagle button also . Real good hunt Banner find !!   Dd60

I've been about to die to tell everyone what you found!   (Someone called and let me in on your fantastic hunt this weekend.)   

   Absolutely stunning find, Senti! Banner day! And always GREAT to see the videos!

                           Nana

                                                                there................now, I feel better.

I know, I got back from South Carolina and like four people already knew about it.. ...News travels fast here on TNet   Thanks Nana!

Hello Banner Gold!!   

Thanks Romeo 

      What in the heck are you going to dig next Josh-the Crown of the Queen of Egypt??? Great find. I'm sure you will find a little spot in your collection for that baby. WTG AGAIN and HH, Quindy.

  LOL.  I expected to find a South Carolina or Georgia button, maybe a U.S. plate, but never did it cross my mind to find a gold coin there Quin.  As God as my

witness I was almost speechless  

      I forgot to mention that I formally nominated it for BANNER. Congrats again Josh. Do I really need to say happy hunting? I don't think so. Great find, Quindy.

almost sounds like this

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/14/ge...ia.civil.war.camp/index.html?hpt=C1
 

Nope, that's Millen Stockade in Georgia, I was hunting a much smaller one in South Carolina.   Millen was a very large stockade and was not used for very long at all before Sherman came through.  Although the history is that the one near where I was hunting was temporarily holding prisoners until Millen could be completed   

I just read this article and thought of your post.  Are they in the same area??  Right near border of SC and Georgia.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/14/ge....civil.war.camp/index.html?iref=NS1

I just read this article and thought of your post.  Are they in the same area??  Right near border of SC and Georgia.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/14/ge....civil.war.camp/index.html?iref=NS1

No, that is in Georgia about 5 hours from where I was.  That's nuts that they just discovered the location though.  It was a very large and formal Stockade.  The one I was hunting near, as I mentioned above, was a small temporary one

Beautiful coin!


But did you bump your head, going into the forest around these parts in August?   

That's crazy man!   

Kudos to you for getting out alive

Beautiful coin!


But did you bump your head, going into the forest around these parts in August?  

That's crazy man!  

Kudos to you for getting out alive

Nope, I had my brother's thigh high Snake Boots on.  You forgot, I'm from Georgia my friend, those woods in Carolina were nothin'   

OMG that is one kick butt killer find.. I love it.. and I have to give ya big huge credit for going that deep into the woods there, my god, they had me scared to death to hit high grassy areas let alone in the woods, so ya know I gotta ask, did ya come across any snakes?  Did I also tell ya, man oh man are you brave..  

I grew up in the woods and swamps of SouthEast Georgia.  I wasn't afraid at all quite honestly, but was very aware of my surroundings and safe as always.  I expected to come across a couple but not a one was seen the whole time

 What a great find. That thing came out of the ground screaming. Fantastic coin and research. Hope your finds can continue and thanks for sharing.
TnMtns

BEAUTIFUL gold coin, and so awesome that you got it captured on film! I nice reward for your research. Congratulations!

 
   What a beautiful little gem !       Banner all the way !        Argentium.

Only thing I can add is my congratulations and my vote. Well done.

That is a FANTASTIC find Sentinel.
My vote for the banner is in.
Good work my friend.

Awesome, awesome find.   

That is a great coin   beautiful in good shape , one that is always on anyone,s list show the Eagle button also . Real good hunt Banner find !!   Dd60

Here you Go DD:


The Eagle button I found also  (Still Dirty)
 

Love your story and your finds! 

Nice!!! Banner.. again!! ;-)

really nice coin you found... keep up the good hunting

Every time one of us Yanks digs a colonial copper, someone on the West Coast says something like "you guys out east find all the good OLD stuff".  What they forget is that we rarely dig any gold coins on the Eastern Seaboard, but you did!!!!

Truly an amazing find, especially in the eastern half of the nation!

Congratulations!!!

Great find on the gold coin!!!!

It is good to see that there a few of those to be dug down south. Big congrats on your banner find!!

Congrats on the amazing coin! I vote banner.

 

Beautiful gold coin...... Just think of the finds if that location was cleared off a little & you could swing the coil a bit easier.... course you might have just pulled out the best find of the area cleared or not.......wow  banner vote fur sure

 you must be running out of that wish list, time to right a new one

Been unable to hit a gold coin this year, I still hold out hope but even over here they are a red letter day

Yeah, the wish list is getting pretty small but there's still some stuff out there that I'd like to see pop out of the dirt!    Thanks Cru

That's a great day Josh. never found a gold coin.
Chris

Thanks Chris  

Absolutely one of the best gold finds that I've seen in a long time
Loved the video of you finding it as well, did you find anymore gold while you were there!
Banner vote is in!

Thanks Antiquarian, I've got to say, there's no feeling quite like it, digging a gold coin:  pure adrenaline!  

AWESOME MAN! lol your reaction was like mine when i dug the GW button   that's incredible and very happy for ya!
ya got my BANNER vote!

Yeah dude, I was BLOWN AWAY when I pinpointed that sucker and picked it up and saw that rich yellow   !  

Outstanding find! 1.67 grams and 13mm = tough to find.

Would look great on the Banner!

Thanks DTP!  I think that pic of it really shiny yellow would be an eye catcher for sure

What a great find. That thing came out of the ground screaming. Fantastic coin and research. Hope your finds can continue and thanks for sharing.
TnMtns

Thanks TnMountains!

Dude that was awsome , you got my banner vote . I tell you what if that had been I wouldnt have just said crap I'd have needed new drawers lol. absolutly stunning man you rock , you better hunt that as much as you can before you gotta leave ,

once again awsome find HH Tank 

congrats on a nice gold coin!!!!!!!!!!!!!    MR TUFF

 

Wow !!!!!!!!!!!!!      Love te Gold !!!!!!!!!     B A N N E R   All the way !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

stunning find and banner all day long!
A hefty congradulations!

Way to go on keeping a phenomenal year of finds on a roll Josh!  The $1 gold coin is a tough coin to find.  I still have that and the 2 1/2 and 10 to find.  Like Neal from WJ said we dig a lot more gold coins out here but the $1 is still a tough coin to find.  If you look at the track record of the ones that are found they usually are found in CW sites, pre CW sites, and an occasional one shows up now and then in the gold rush camps.  

Congrats again!  Looking forward to seeing it up on the banner!!
IM

She is Beautiful ! Congrats ! How cool is that to get it on Video

I wondered when you'd get around to posting that.   

Seriously though--that is one killer find (as you well know)--and the history behind it is even more special.  I knew that you were due to find a BIG find, my friend!

I am voting banner--because of the history, the quality of the find, and the fact that you very Seldom see a video of a gold coin coming out.  Usually they hit too low for folks to roll the cameras until they are out of the hole.

A BIG congratulations to you!


 


-Buck

 

WoW!!...Super nice find you have there.
Now what part of South Carolina did you say you visited?
My folks are all from Edgefield.... 

That's an awesome find right there! Must have been exciting for sure! I couldn't watch the vid as I am at work unfortunately, but will check it out later. Congrats!

Still waiting for my first gold coin...

that baby is like brand new,thanks for sharing.

Your going to need some vacation days and a DR brush mower. Oh yea, and some southern boy to help. GREAT find. Banner.

Big congrats on the banner. A U.S. gold coin is high on my list. WTG.
 
JuJu

That's a great find. Please post more of your finds from this spot. Research pays off most of the time. Congrats

Wow! Congratulations!!!!! It sure is nice to see some gold coinage come out of the ground east of the Mississippi.

Brian

As whimsical and romantic as your theory is about how the coin ended up there, ie stashed by a soldier for potatoes and such, it was minted several years before the start of the CW, and could have been dropped by just about anyone. 

Nice find though dude.

Great find.  Congrats on the banner.

Congrats on the banner.
you had a great day!!!!

Awesome!!  That'll be a lifetime find.  Keep it close but never say never. 

WOW!! super find

   Wow way to go!  I know you are feeling pretty good about that find.  Congrats on making the Banner!

[GOLD; g]

Sentinel, Congratulations on the GOLD; great banner find.  The eagle button is sweeeeeeet too!    

Breezie
PS: Loved the video, your accent made me feel right at home!  

Great find!!! 

Congrats on the great gold coin and the banner.  Wow...I don't remember anyone making the banner twice in such a short period of time.  Well deserved.

NJ

Nice!!! Banner.. again!! ;-)

Thanks Bro!  

Every time one of us Yanks digs a colonial copper, someone on the West Coast says something like "you guys out east find all the good OLD stuff".  What they forget is that we rarely dig any gold coins on the Eastern Seaboard, but you did!!!!

Truly an amazing find, especially in the eastern half of the nation!

Congratulations!!!

Thanks Neil for the awesome compliment.  

I wondered when you'd get around to posting that.  

Seriously though--that is one killer find (as you well know)--and the history behind it is even more special.  I knew that you were due to find a BIG find, my friend!

I am voting banner--because of the history, the quality of the find, and the fact that you very Seldom see a video of a gold coin coming out.  Usually they hit too low for folks to roll the cameras until they are out of the hole.

A BIG congratulations to you!


 


-Buck

Yeah, my parents computer was pretty much locked up because my little brother let it get so full of spam and malware that I couldn't even use it or I would've posted it on Saturday.  My hunting partner was thrilled by the find and "leaked" the news of the find    I don't care though, its a really rare find and one that's hard to keep contained
    The signals were so few and far between that that was the very FIRST signal I got in the prison that sounded halfway decent and being that the location was on the inside I was thinking it was going to be a cuff or vest button and wanted to get it on camera because there was a real chance of it being a nice Confederate button...Again, that's why I was so stunned to see that sucker pop out.    Thanks for the compliment Will

As whimsical and romantic as your theory is about how the coin ended up there, ie stashed by a soldier for potatoes and such, it was minted several years before the start of the CW, and could have been dropped by just about anyone.  

Nice find though dude.

Kiros, its no different than today.  Take a handful of change out of your pocket and what do you find???  You'll find quarters and pennies and dimes etc that date back to the 60s some further back than that......1853 coinage wouldve been very common at the time of the Civil War.  As far as it being "dropped by just about anyone"....people weren't in the habit of dropping gold coins, especially in the South Carolina hinterland.  Whats more though,  I was inside the stockade grounds which was thick wilderness before being cleared to be a prison yard so I don't think that it was dropped before that time my friend.  Its possibly but very improbable

 

Josh...... i'm glad your not hunting here this year has been one to remember for you Stunning Gold coin mate ..you deserve it

SS

Josh, you are the "Man of the Year." Wow, man, I am proud of you. I can't believe the year you are having. Keep it up, man, and the detecting gods will shine down on you. Thanks for sharing the passion.

Kirk

Could your site be where they fled to after they left Lawton?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/14/ge...ia.civil.war.camp/index.html?hpt=C1

Well done....funny how things work in this hobby...when you least expect something, there it is! great banner find

 Congratulations on the gold coin and banner. 

Beautiful find  congrats 

Josh,
She shur do l@@k purdy up in that thar banner train!!!  UNBELIEVABLE Big Guy!!!! 
I've never even seen one of those gold coins let alone dug one. 
A well deserved banner find. Congrats & thanks for the video.
What's next a slave tag? 
-Doug-

 

Just gave you my vote buddy. EXCELLENT FIND! 

Josh...... i'm glad your not hunting here this year has been one to remember for you Stunning Gold coin mate ..you deserve it

SS

LMAO....  Thanks Colin, I sure appreciate it my friend  

Josh, you are the "Man of the Year." Wow, man, I am proud of you. I can't believe the year you are having. Keep it up, man, and the detecting gods will shine down on you. Thanks for sharing the passion.

Kirk

Thanks my friend   We've been long time buddies on the Net and I've seen you, your unc and bro make some very nice finds as well.  This year has been really good to me and I don't take it for granted, but its the friends that last, not the hot streaks!     Thanks brutha for the cool compliment....Never been "Man of the Year"    

Hey Josh, sorry I haven't gotten on sooner... Buddy, this is one hell of a great find.  You know I've never found a gold coin.  In fact, you're the only person I've ever hunted with that's found one.  It doesn't happen often as we all know.  Then to find the coin you did, in the condition it happens to be in, is nothing short of incredible..  Right on Josh

Congratulations again, on a sweet find

Big congrats on the banner. A U.S. gold coin is high on my list. WTG.
 
JuJu

Thanks JuJu.  Yeah I don't know about gold coins, but I sure like those Gold rings that you pull up in your neck of the woods   

That's an awesome find right there! Must have been exciting for sure! I couldn't watch the vid as I am at work unfortunately, but will check it out later. Congrats!

Still waiting for my first gold coin...

Hope you got a chance to see the videos.  Not often that you get taken TOTALLY by surprise like I was in that video!

Congrats on one awesome coin

That is a FANTASTIC find Sentinel.
My vote for the banner is in.
Good work my friend.

Thanks Merf  :cowboy:

Congratulations on the gold coin and banner.  

Thanks Rodgerdodger

Beautiful find   congrats  

Thanks Brian.  I had to go and look at it again just awhile ago  

Josh,
She shur do l@@k purdy up in that thar banner train!!!  UNBELIEVABLE Big Guy!!!!  
I've never even seen one of those gold coins let alone dug one.  
A well deserved banner find. Congrats & thanks for the video.
What's next a slave tag?  
-Doug-

Thanks Doug!  Love the pic!     MAN, I would LOVE a slave tag.  That's been on the wish list since the beginning and the only place to find a genuine one is in South Carolina!  When I go back down to visit the parents in a couple months there's a big pretty Plantation that I'm going to try and secure permission to hunt.  If you could see this place!  It just looks like there is some Great stuff waiting to be revealed!   

[Oldest Coin - 1841 Seated Half DimeOldest Relic - Silver plated 1700's Colonial Buckle]

Congrats, that is an awesome find 

It's even more awesome that you were able to capture it on video, what a great way to preserve that memory 

Hope you find more there, I know I'd be back after finding that 

HH,
Brian

Congrats, that is an awesome find 

It's even more awesome that you were able to capture it on video, what a great way to preserve that memory 

Hope you find more there, I know I'd be back after finding that 

HH,
Brian

Oh yeah, I will be going back

Sentinel, outstanding finds! I really enjoyed hearing about your research, and the subsequent analysis on the gold coin's significance, and how it might have been left there.

Cheers,

Thomas

I'll be in SC next week for our summer Vay-Cay   

I love that State for relic hunting for sure Josh

Congrats on the banner That coin sure looks good up there. It should be left up there for posterity!!! That's a rare one.

[small-size dollars]

Sentinel, outstanding finds! I really enjoyed hearing about your research, and the subsequent analysis on the gold coin's significance, and how it might have been left there.

Cheers,

Thomas

Thanks Thomas.  This "Type I" gold Dollar is pretty rare from what the PCGS says.  Apparently most of them got sent back to the mint 8 months after they were struck to be melted down again in favor of a bigger and thinner Type II and Type III:

excerpt from website : http://www.usrarecoininvestments.com/collecting/1853-one-dol-gol.htm

"Patterson's opposition proved to be for reasons partly political, partly venal. After Gobrecht's death in 1844, James Barton Longacre obtained the Mint engravership through his friend John C. Calhoun a name anathema to the Pennsylvania dynasties then running the Mint. Patterson wanted o Engraver at all, lest such an outsider interfere with the lucrative medal making business then operated within the Mint by his crony Franklin Peale. So long as no new denominations were needed. But Congress would not be deterred. Something had to take the place of the vanished silver and dishonest paper currency; the only logical candidate was the gold dollar.
Despite Peale's officious opposition and attempted sabotage, Longacre (with the help of an assistant, Peter F. Cross( managed to complete master dies for the gold dollar on May 7, 1849. On May 8, a few proofs and some 1,000 business strikes were coined, the first of over 11,719,000 of this design to be issued from Philadelphia and four branch mints through June 17, 1854. During most of that period, gold dollars formed the bulk of the nation's legal circulation medium between the 3c and the $2,50 denominations, managing to replace a few drops of the flood of worthless bank notes and scrip.
After the issue of larger, thinner ("Type II") gold dollars began in Aug. 1854, banks were under orders to return the small-size dollars to the Mint or the New York Subtreasury. By 1861, some eight million of the original 11 million coined had reached the Subtreasury. Mint Director James Ross Snowden ordered them shipped to the Philadelphia Mint, where they were melted down and recoined into "Type III" gold dollars, quarter eagles, and double eagles. Many of the survivors have been converted into jewelry or included in later meltings. Possibly 1% of the original mintage remains today in numismatically acceptable condition. (Numismatists normally reject gold coins with any traces of solder; look on edges for any discoloration, any lump or other interruption of edge reeding, or any indication that reeding has been simulated by hand tooling. Local porosity is also grounds for suspicion.) It follows that many of the lower mintage from Charlotte and Dahlonega have become rarities; some of the C and D-Mint coins are almost unobtainable in or near mint state. Data on striking characteristics of C-Mint coins derive partly from unpublished researches by Douglas Winter."

    I've talked to a couple guys who are gold collectors and they agree with the PCGS photos in that this one would grade in the high AU.  I'll send it in in a few weeks and let them grade it for me.  Thanks for your interest

Wow, it keeps getting more interesting! Congratulations again!

Thomas