Got my oldest US coin yesterday!

[Tony Two-Cent]

Yesterday, March 3, I met up with Digger Don at an old town that isn't too far from me. All of these finds were from door knocking permissions. Me and Don had a really fun day of detecting! The weather was gorgeous and we made a few interesting finds.

At a house built in 1864 I found my oldest US coin, an 1825 Large Cent! There is a hole where the date is but you can still make out the digits. I haven't cleaned it yet. What would be the best way? Just a toothpick?


The Indian Heads and Barbers were hiding from us, but I did end up with three silver coins.


The Wheat Cents sorted by decade. I did find a semi-key 1931-D.


I got a few interesting relics including my first railroad key and a heel plate.



Do you like these slate roof nails? If so, I can show you where you can find a few thousand of them.



It was a super fun day of detecting! Huge thanks to Don for coming down to southern Illinois to detect with me!

[aloldstuff]

Tony, huge congrats on your oldest US coin (so far). Got yourself a nice early merc also. Any idea of what railroad that key went to?
Nice heel plate also. For years I have wanted to start a collection of nice roof slate nails, I see you are off to a good start with them.

[Cooper]

Congrats on the large cent and some nice silver, I also like the thing with the heart on it an the thing right below it

[MIKE54]

Nice Tony ! That 31-d is in great shape.

[Digger Don]

It was a great day Tony and you did quite well.
I think the only thing I beat you on yesterday was the amount of slate roofing nails I dug. Lol.
I'm sure glad we found that house, it saved the day. Quite a few good finds from that yard.
Congrats on the Largie, heel plate anf RR key. Awesome finds.
I hope we can do it again real soon!!!

[Ken C]

Congrats on your oldest coin!!

I don't clean my old coppers much at all. The chemicals on the old farm fields in New Jersey are just brutal on the coppers and a lot of details will fall off with cleaning. I just normally run them under warm water, give them a gentle finger run and them put them in a holder.

[The Rebel]

WTC on the LC an other finds! I'd soak the LC in warm soapy water & use a toothpick to remove the crud.

[Full Metal Digger]

Nice finds Tony. Congratulations on the largie and civil war heel plate. I dislike those slate tile nails so much! They ring up like indian head cents every time. Best wishes and HH Dave.

[Bucknut]

Great job on the silvers and especially the LC!

[Oneil1979]

I enjoy seeing the matron head coming out of the hole and that one looks in great condition for being dug & over 100 years, great find!

[Digger_O'Dell]

Huge congrats on your oldest coin! That heel plate is a sweet find too and one still on my bucket list as is the railroad key. Glad you got out with Don, can't ask for a better hunting partner!

[OxShoeDrew]

Now that's a great hunt, Tony! Super duper finds! If I had to pick one fav I'd go with a roofing nail No, I'd really go with the RR key. Those are interesting and rare. Congrats on your oldest!!

[Tony Two-Cent]

Any idea of what railroad that key went to?

The key is stamped VRR which must be the Valley Rail Road.

http://www.abandonedrails.com/Valley_Railroad

[Tony Two-Cent]

I cleaned up the 1825 Large Cent as best as I could with a toothpick and gave it a coating of Ren Wax. It has some corrosion on the obverse and the unfortunate hole, but I am still thrilled with it!

[Bucknut]

I like the color it has! very dark. did you soak it in coffee? That hole is not unfortunate if you can see the date.

[Tony Two-Cent]

I like the color it has! very dark. did you soak it in coffee? That hole is not unfortunate if you can see the date.

It came out of the ground with that dark color. I kind of like it that way.

Here's the unsuspecting 1864 house where I found it. The owner was super nice.

[Full Metal Digger]

Yeah Tony, we can see your coffee-stained hole!

[Cheap Thrills]

Congrats on your oldest American coin Tony .That is the most strategically placed hole I have seen yet .I would not consider the hole a bad thing at all being it was done as to not mess up the date identification . Actually it adds a little more history .

[OxShoeDrew]

It almost looks like a bronze patina...very cool! Did you buff it after applying the ren wax?

[Donnie B]

Huge Congrats on your oldest US Coin! That's one of those finds you will always remember!