I found 13 Shield Nickels today!

[Tony Two-Cent]

... at an antique shop.

However, there was a specific reason I was interested in them. They were all together in 2x2s in a Ziplock baggie. I could tell right away that they are all metal detecting finds, then I noticed that someone had written the date they were found and the location!

So I bought them all. With tax I paid less than $8 for the lot. Apparently, all of them were found in the early 1970s, all from 3 different small towns in the same Illinois county. I have craftily obscured the names of the towns where the coins were found in the photo.

I thought this was an interesting glimpse into what was being found in the early 1970s, as well as some great clues for some possible sites to metal detect. It appears that they came from 4 different sites, 2 parks and 2 fairgrounds. I will definitely have to check these sites out.

I just thought it was interesting!

[Digger Don]

Pretty Cool. You got a great deal there on that lot.
too bad you couldn't find out who sold them to the shop. I bet you that person would have some pretty interesting stories to tell.

I hope those sites work out well for you.

[Isaac]

the thread title scared me for a sec... I thought I was gonna be envious as usual tony Now that's an interesting way to research sites, hope it gets you some great leads, now that's thinking out of the box

HH, Isaac

[Clad killer]

Interesting way to find hunting spots

[Trooper Bri]

That's a slick find Tony. Can't wait to see what you find at those places.

[The Rebel]

Not nice Tony, not nice! Don't get yourself on the naughty list, LOL! That's a GREAT score!

Happy Holidays!
Roger

[RIdirtdigger]

That's really cool. Those sites could still have some targets left in them. It's cool to get a glimpse at the amount of finds available in public parks back then when the hobby was still getting started.

[Full Metal Digger]

Tony,
I almost spit up my cereal when I read the title! I thought "he must have gone back to 5 cent park." Too bad he didn't include the depth or what detector he was using! Best wishes and HH, Dave.

[aloldstuff]

What a crafty mind you have....got yourself 13 shield nickels but more importantly possibly 4 good sites to plunder.

[mownomo]

Congratulations. Nice find for the price. Too bad you hid the location clues. I was ready to jump in the car and head a 1000 miles to beat you to the punch.

[denny2w]

Interesting!
All 100 year old coins. How deep could a early 1970 detector detect?
I'd guess 6 inches on a nickel...

[Ill Digger]

Yeah you got me on that one too!
Interesting way to do some research!
Have you already hunted any of these places yet? Or will they be new territory for you?

[giant056]

Very cool

[GA1dad]

Craftily Indeed!! Good score! Just goes to show you never know where you'll come across a good lead.

[Fire Fighter 43]

Cool find Tony, with all those Vs there should be some nice old coins left for the Etrac to sniff out.