Featured Backyard archaeology - coin hoard

Ok, thank you for clarifying that.

 

I feel so dumb. I just assumed that somebody damaged the coins making them worthless so I had no qualms about trying to clean them. . The good news is, I went back out and dug a bunch more so I won't touch those! Headed back out today because there may still be more. I'm bringing an old screen so I can sift the dirt because there is some broken glass and china and I don't want to cut my fingers sifting.

 

Look at Bev - she got a hobby in retirement - prospecting!!

 

And in her own back yard!!!!!

One of the perks of owning an old house

 

No reason to feel dumb. I am excited to see what else you find. I love old houses. If I can make a suggestion, they make cut proof gloves that you may benefit from & have a bit of grip which can help with “digging up dirt”

 

I'm using my heavy garden gloves that I have for pruning the roses.

 

Stab-resistant works. Instead of panning for gold you're digging for copper.

 

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

 

So every day I go out and find another one or two coins. Today I found something different. It's a car key tag from the early 20th century. Jon's grandfather had the Willys-Overland car dealership in Orleans. I imagine this was his. Emil Denemark had the Cadillac dealership in Chicago in the same time frame.

 

I tried soaking them in distilled water but some are very rusty and the rust hasn't gone away. Will olive oil do it? Should I just keep them as odd collectibles and not worry about condition? I've never traded in coins before. Most are ok.

 

Try taking a fridge magnet to them? If they stick,you'll know. If the coins are steel or iron they'll stick like ...magnets.