Where The Antelope Play!

[BMc]

I placed a phone call to the State Geologist of Wyoming after reading articles in the ICMJ recommending an area in the Western part of the state that was known for shallow pocket gold and ore shoots situated along a fault line. After having no luck detecting an eroded rusty quartz outcrop for a few hours, I ventured out onto a raised knoll in the sagebrush a feet away and started picking up a staccato of signals over a 30' wide by 100' deep area. 

The rimfire round, (resembles a 45/70 but doesn't have a centerfire primer),was stuck in the ground nose down, with 1/4 inch of the case sticking out. It was intact when I pulled it out, and after being stored it in a coffee can in my truck awhile, it broke in half while I was bouncing around 4-wheeling. I taped it together to hold the powder in the case. The nickel 3 cent piece dated 1865 and the percussion pistol/rifle side plate were found close to the rifle round. 

I found several pieces of plank/boards that were so old and dried up they looked and felt like balsa wood. There were 3 large Flagstones buried just under the surface that had been placed together to make a campfire and hearth, (where the remnant of a lead bar, slag and hand cast bullets were recovered) Small animal bones were found in the fireplace. Numerous fired bullets and "Drops" were also recovered along with all the rest of the items shown in the photographs. Some of the percussion caps found (1/2 inch deep) were unfired! The 1851 0 mint 2 1/2 dollar gold piece was found together with the brass baton (cabinet latch?) near the campfire.

The site appeared to be an old campsite or wagon stop from the 1800's.

[abenson]

Wow nice finds. Congratulations on the gold coin. The two major wagon routes that crossed through Western Wyoming would be the Mormon Trail or California/Oregon Trail. Are you on either of those? Otherwise it's probably a more obscure trail leading to a fort, mining camp, etc.

[Gold Seeker]

Some nice finds you got, good job, love the gold coin...but it's odd that the "51" is so well defined but the "18" is almost worn away!

[Rick N. MI]

Great hunt. Nice getting the gold coin. I can only dream about that.

[GB_Amateur]

Went looking for gold and found... gold!  Great find there -- that quarter eagle. 

1 hour ago, Gold Seeker said:

...It's odd that the "51" is so well defined but the "18" is almost worn away!

Not actually due to wear but rather a weakness of the die used to mint it.  The sharpness of details is a bonus and often a value component for collectible dates+mintmarks.

[BMc]

2 hours ago, abenson said:

Wow nice finds. Congratulations on the gold coin. The two major wagon routes that crossed through Western Wyoming would be the Mormon Trail or California/Oregon Trail. Are you on either of those? Otherwise it's probably a more obscure trail leading to a fort, mining camp, etc.

Not on any of the trails (per se) The Emigrant Trails and the Pony Express trail came together East of South Pass, Wy and Atlantic City, crossing the Sweetwater river and the Continental Divide at about 8200' Elevation.

Lots of open range and BLM land to prospect on. I was fortunate to be able to get access to some private property in that area as well.

Here's a photo of the typical type of terrain/geology showing continuous ridges of eroded foliated schist and, of course, the ubiquitous herds of Antelope.                             

[jim tn]

Great spot and some good hunting! Got love a hunt with a gold coin in it. HH Jim Tn

[ROCKINGCM]

Square nail to gold coin ratio is spot on.   Really nice finds.  Are you using the Equinox? Looks like my typical DEUS hunt.    

[Tometusns]

Awesome hunt! Congrats on the gold coin! 

[Valens Legacy]

Fantastic hunting and it earned you a gold coin.

Good luck on your next outing.