<p><strong>I'm still learning my E-TRAC.</strong> A friend and I decided to hunt an older area in Northern California one Sunday afternoon. I ended up with only three old coins - 1937S wheatie, an 1886 Indian head, and a 1909 "vertical S" wheatie. Not bad.</p> <p>What I lacked in coins, I made up for in relics. The first relic I recovered was an 1880's political button, on the front it says: PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST "84-86" around a horseshoe with initials in the center of CG. My next find was a nice gold plated Victorian ladies pendant with stones.</p> [split] <p>Little did I know that my last find of the day, would turn out to be my best find. On our way home, we spotted a little scraped spot in a park. There was a trench dug out, and the first target I dug rang in like a quarter/half dollar (12-47), instead came out this silver badge. At first I didn't realize what I had, as the badge was caked with dirt. I tossed it in my pouch to clean when I got home.</p> <p>Once I got home I rinsed it under the faucet, then dried it off and took a look at it. I was amazed at what I had - a beautiful Victorian silver badge that reads: "SACRAMENTO V.O.F. 1883".</p> <p>I did a little research on the badge, and it turns out to be from the IOOF, or Independent Order of the Odd Fellows. It has the All-Seeing Eye, which was not used by the Masons for quite some time and is a relatively recent addition to their symbolism. The Odd Fellows, between them both, were the first to make widespread use of it. The Three Links are exclusive as a fraternal symbol to the IOOF alone, and represent the fraternity itself just as the square and compass represent Masonry.</p> <p>Turned out to be a good hunt, with some great history saved! Thanks for looking.</p>