I went to the county fairgrounds today just looking for coins dropped during the fair in August. I hit a spot covered with straw where people sat on bales when they couldn't find a bench. I figured there could be a ring or even a bracelet dropped there and no one would see it. Instead I got a loud hit about three inches down in hard packed dirt and gravel. I expected a penny or modern dime but instead out popped a 1943 S Mercury! So far since July I've found a seated, a barber and now a merc.
Lots of clad too, but the unexpected silver made my day. I'm starting to dig coin hunting.
Sorry about the blurry photo, my phone hates close up work.