A new Church site produces the goods

[Fire Fighter 43]

I had asked permission to hunt this church several years ago and received a Big No from the pastor at that time. I recently was driving by the church and noticed it looked as if it might have shut down so I decided to give it another try. I tracked down a care taker who confirmed that the church was no longer in use and he had no problem with me detecting it. I was not even swinging for more than a minute and I got a nice 12-45 at 6 inches and out popped a nice Merc. You can imagine at that point I had high hopes. The first day I spent about 5 hours detecting and walked away with 6 silver coins, 4 Mercs, a Rosie and a no date SLQ. I also found a 1904 Indian and 9 wheats, which several were in the teens. As far as noncoin finds I found three of my favorite finds for the year. The first is a 1936 dog tag from the county I live in. The second is a Sterling Boy Scout ring in a mans size that fits me perfectly. I'm a Scout leader so I actually think I will wear it when I'm in uniform. The 3rd is defiantly my favorite relic of the year. A Elgin Pocket watch. Even though it is toasted I managed to get it open and could read the serial number, it was made in 1903. Here is the info I found from the serial number search.
Serial Number SN Range Quanty Name Year grade size code jewels Adj/reg/etc.
-------------- -------- ------ ---- ---- ----- ---- ------ ------ ------------
10696092 10696001 4000 1903 318 0s h3n2p 15j
first run of grade 318; 92 of 101999 in grade

My 3 hour return trip produced a little more variety of coins, one of which is a semi key date SLQ 1918-D. I also found a 1916 Barber dime, 1902 & 1906 Indian, a 1916 Buffalo and 17 wheats.
We have had some great lates season weather here in Wisconsin and I happy I have had the opportunity to take advantage of it for a a couple of hunts.

[Cheap Thrills]

:shocked05::shocked03::shocked04: WOW , You really killed it !! :congrats: :perfect10: A nice collection of coins !! Appropriate destiny that the Scout ring was resurrected by you .That is a super ring !! Awesome watch also . :yes:

[aloldstuff]

Love the ring and as stated, very appropriate that you rescued it. The coins....WOW, such a great variety. That pocket watch really cleaned up good and a nice old dog tag........huge congrats. :perfect10:

[MangoAve]

Nice bunch of silver. The barber is in better shape than the newer silver. Never saw a silver boy scout ring the time I was in there, from the prob '89 to '98. I even got a 1936 dog tag this weekend.
I coworker restores watches. I believe both pocket and not just wrist. The cover is very ornate and I like it. I only mention because the guts might be able to be changed and it be working again. Salvage the plates and obvi the golden gear, but new springs and other gears and hardware. Something to look into.

[The Rebel]

WTG on the permission. Hit that place hard. Someone sure must have been mad to lose that watch. Any inscriptions inside?

[Digger Don]

Wow, can you find the sites or what. Great haul of silvers. May favorite find has to be that Scout ring.
Congrats on a fantastic hunt!

[Digger_O'Dell]

WOW! What a haul! You did quite well with that permission-love that ring, and very appropriate. I think the detector gods were smiling when they bestowed that x-mas gift! :grin:

From what you wrote about the watch I had assumed "toasted" like that Timex I found-but yours is actually not in bad shape at all. I think a good watchmaker could actually restore that easily enough, and it might actually be worth it to see it run. Huge congrats! :perfect10:

[groundhog53946]

Beautiful finds!

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[MIKE54]

Tremendous hunt !!

[Hiluxyota]

Awesome finds. Love those church permissions.

[MI Detectors]

Wow what a great day! Congratulations

[wisconsin digger]

Awesome finds Jeff. SLQ's are always a great find but an early one with a date is a rarity. Definitely nice to get in some December hunting. WD

[badgers325]

Great couple of days. That is awesome!

[relichunterryan]

WOAH!! Amazing finds dude!!!!!!:shocked03:

[Lodge Scent]

Sweet pocket watch ! Nice when you can trace it.