Late 1850's Military Camp Relics And Gold

[abenson]

Military Relic hunting is probably my favorite type of metal detecting. The thrill of doing the research and then actually finding the long lost camps gives me a felling I just can't explain. But I thought I would share a few pictures and thoughts about a few relics hunts I did this year. I have kind of held off with a public post and will not be able to share any video at this time as we are still doing a bunch of research and don't want to chance giving away the location. Although the main part of this camp location is known, many smaller unit camps have not been located until now. The fact that these camps are located on farm fields only allow us to hunt during certain times of the year, Spring and Fall. Also, many years of hunting deer, elk, rabbits, etc. make it even more challenging sifting through all the generations of modern spent cartridges. First hunt in the Spring of this year was in the infantry camp and we are probably only on the edge with the whole camp still left to hunt. The $2 1/2 gold coin was found 30 minutes into the hunt down by a small creek. Here are a few of my pictures from the 5 hour hunt this Spring.

 

First Hunt this Fall gave up some more good relics. This time in the Dragoons Camp. The $1 gold coin was actually the first signal I dug and was 20 feet from my truck on a freshly graded road.  We will be hunting more in the coming weeks until the weather turns and ground is frozen. By November we will have to give it up until Spring. I will be doing a bunch more research through the Winter and hopefully be able to find the location of more camps they used for the few weeks they were camped in this location. I will be giving the landowner $1 gold coin next week in a display case we make up for them. I feel like it's the least I can do for them allowing us to hunt the property.

 

[Chase Goldman]

Two more golds!  Those look like some fantastic sites and old miltary sites are my favorite as well.  Fantastic detecting, Andy.

[CPT_GhostLight]

Excellent research and it paid off in a big way, congrats! You're living the dream!

[strick]

That’s what I’m talking about right there 🙂 thank goodness the grader did not ruin that gold coin. Two gold and no silver or are you holding out for the rest of the story? Good stuff for sure. 

Strick

[GB_Amateur]

Double gold!  Way cool, Andy.  I don't recall you mentioning these when we crossed paths in early June, although maybe you did so without fanfare.  😁  I understand why you don't want to reveal too much -- I wouldn't either.

You probably looked up those coins (as I did) and noticed that 1849 was the first year that the USA minted gold $1 pieces.  Not a low mintage so no extra value over type, but regardless a fantastic pair of finds.  Still, next time how about getting a mintmarked one. 

Once again proof they're still out there if you put in the research.  Well deserved.

 

[abenson]

34 minutes ago, strick said:

That’s what I’m talking about right there 🙂 thank goodness the grader did not ruin that gold coin. Two gold and no silver or are you holding out for the rest of the story? Good stuff for sure. 

Strick

Yea I'm surprised the grader didn't damage it. No silver yet, which is very odd.

[abenson]

36 minutes ago, GB_Amateur said:

Double gold!  Way cool, Andy.  I don't recall you mentioning these when we crossed paths in early June, although maybe you did so without fanfare.  😁  I understand why you don't want to reveal too much -- I wouldn't either.

You probably looked up those coins (as I did) and noticed that 1849 was the first year that the USA minted gold $1 pieces.  Not a low mintage so no extra value over type, but regardless a fantastic pair of finds.  Still, next time how about getting a mintmarked one. 

Once again proof they're still out there if you put in the research.  Well deserved.

 

I may have showed you a picture of the $2 1/2 when we meet up but I don't recall  

Yea 1849 was the first year and a year I hadn't found yet. I have found 1849-1854 now I believe. Might be missing 1850 but I'd have to look. Only mint mark I have found on those is O would really like a D.

They are still out there. You have to do the research and then dig everything 

[palzynski]

Impressive outing , thx for the pics ... Which detector(s) did you use ? ( Unless this is a secret too ..🙂 )

[F350Platinum]

Nice productive place, Andy. Hope you get lots more out of there. I'm also curious what detector(s) you're using. 🙂

Saving history. 👍 Great gold!

[abenson]

1 hour ago, palzynski said:

Impressive outing , thx for the pics ... Which detector(s) did you use ? ( Unless this is a secret too ..🙂 )

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