There's a Prize Inside!

[Driftwood]

Well, I planned on making a post on the entire metal detecting trip to an old abandoned church that I've been investigating over the past several weeks, but this find might deserve its own post. After gridding the area for a couple of hours and digging every signal (that wasn't obviously one of a billion nails), I hit on something that was reading like a junky piece of foil or maybe a bit of tin. I dug it up and found it was some kind of brass case (I thought at first it was a lighter case, but it is very narrow).

It was falling apart and was crushed, but it had a design on it... so as I was cleaning it off enough to see the design, I pulled out the dirt and roots from inside and something fell out!

Usually when I find old pennies, they are crusty and really beat... this one is quite nice, as it was apparently well protected. Although not particularly valuable, it was very exciting to discover it in this manner. Here's some close-ups.

I'll do a post of the whole area once I get myself organizized.

[willjo]

Really nice must have been lost not long after it went into circulation.

[JoshinMO]

Yep that has some crisp lines, i like the color.

[OBION]

I like the bird dog!

[2ndoldman]

WOW that IH penny is in beautiful condition.
I would only use a dry toothbrush to remove the rest of the dirt.
That will make a very nice size comparison piece whenever you post points too.
I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the finds that you have made.

[Driftwood]

Bruce, I cleaned it further with a dry toothbrush and a toothpick. It's currently as clean as I want to make it. I just finished photos of all the other items from this site and will post them soon. The weather has turned very cold and windy and the ground will freeze overnight and for the next few days... but then very warm over/after the weekend, so a little pause in hunting for now.

[chase]

Nice to have hidden treasure