Dear White’s,
I have been trying to incorporate my 5.3" Coil into as many hunts as possible with my XLT...and this latest hunt paid off immensely! I used the smaller coil to hit the overgrown area surrounding a Colonial Cellar Hole. It was too thick to hunt with the standard loop, but after attaching the smaller coil I was back in business! I had already dug over 20 Colonial Buttons at this site, but little did I know that there was one more surprise waiting for me just under the surface....
After about a half an hour all I had found was a lead bag seal and was about to head out when I got a +54 reading at 5”. I was thinking it could be a bottle cap, but at that depth it was more than likely a flat button. Carefully I cut my plug and was delighted to see the small button at the bottom of the hole...but did not know exactly what I had found until I got back home. All I could see was what looked like an Eagle, but it was too dirty to see any more details.
Back home I gently wiped off the now dry soil, and was in shock at what appeared! I quickly grabbed my Albert's Book of Historical and Military Buttons and began rummaging through the pages...until I finally found the exact match: Eagle facing right encircled with 17 Stars. What I had in my hand was a US Militia Button from 1798-1802!!! This was my oldest Militia button to date!
Even better, the reverse matched the book reading 'Best Quality' and had a perfect shank. This is definitely my best find for the month of August and I owe it to my 5.3" Coil for being able to go into areas where normal coils cannot....and for having great depth capabilities!
Thank You White’s!
Sincerely,
Hank E.
New Hampshire












