What are your "white whales"?

Göttinger

A "white whale" describes a find wich is either considered to be common or a find wich you statistically should have found by now, but still have not found yet.
I'm pretty sure, that most detectorists have a couple of them.
In this thread I would like to hear about your white whales, as well as the finds you dream about, even though chances are low to ever find them in your area.

As a German detectorist my white whales are:

• a German circulating silver coin minted between 1873 - 1974 (especially the 20 Pfennig, 50 Pfennig, half and 1 Mark prior to 1919)
• a German military medal from the 1st or 2nd world war (especially a "Iron Cross")

After almost 4 years it's weired I never found them. Of course I also never had a gold coin, Roman silver and several other things, but honestly that would be a little bit too much to ask for.

I would love to hear about your opinions and experiences.

Best regards,
Göttinger

CRHer700

Honestly I would have to say that the answer is anything that could be found. There is really nowhere good to hunt around where I am. Most of the time I find more zincolns than anything else. Hopefully that will change soon, as I am going on a trip in early August.

Bayard1908

I have dug every Mercury dime from the 1940s except for a 1944-S. I have dug every war nickel except for a 1943-D. Neither of these coins is rare or even scarce.

Göttinger

@CRHer700 said:
Honestly I would have to say that the answer is anything that could be found. There is really nowhere good to hunt around where I am. Most of the time I find more zincolns than anything else. Hopefully that will change soon, as I am going on a trip in early August.

May I ask where you live?
Depending on if you are more into historic or recent stuff there may be opportunities to find some new permissions.
There also was a time when I found practically nothing even though I went metal detecting two or three times per week. But then I met a guy who showed me lots of permissions I did not even think about before and started finding way more coins and artefacts.

CRHer700

@Göttinger said:

@CRHer700 said:
Honestly I would have to say that the answer is anything that could be found. There is really nowhere good to hunt around where I am. Most of the time I find more zincolns than anything else. Hopefully that will change soon, as I am going on a trip in early August.

May I ask where you live?
Depending on if you are more into historic or recent stuff there may be opportunities to find some new permissions.
There also was a time when I found practically nothing even though I went metal detecting two or three times per week. But then I met a guy who showed me lots of permissions I did not even think about before and started finding way more coins and artefacts.

I live in north central Florida in a small town where everyone is grumpy. Even people that I am friends with don't want me Mding in their yard. I have not had much luck in the way of permissions.

Göttinger

@CRHer700 said:

@Göttinger said:

@CRHer700 said:
Honestly I would have to say that the answer is anything that could be found. There is really nowhere good to hunt around where I am. Most of the time I find more zincolns than anything else. Hopefully that will change soon, as I am going on a trip in early August.

May I ask where you live?
Depending on if you are more into historic or recent stuff there may be opportunities to find some new permissions.
There also was a time when I found practically nothing even though I went metal detecting two or three times per week. But then I met a guy who showed me lots of permissions I did not even think about before and started finding way more coins and artefacts.

I live in north central Florida in a small town where everyone is grumpy. Even people that I am friends with don't want me Mding in their yard. I have not had much luck in the way of permissions.

That's very unfortunate!
But I'm sure you will find a good permission, soon!
Have you considered offering a lost jewelery / lost key recovering service yet?
And as a reward you ask for the actual petrol money or / plus permission to detect their property (and keep most of the finds).

That's how I do it. It's not taxable as work or income because it's on a voluntary basis but still you may get on some interesting grounds.
Many times I searched gardens and after several hours I found nothing.
But sometimes it's a honey hole full of (silver) coins, medieval / renaissance artefacts or some other goodies...

(please excuse my bad English)

CRHer700

@Göttinger said:

@CRHer700 said:

@Göttinger said:

@CRHer700 said:
Honestly I would have to say that the answer is anything that could be found. There is really nowhere good to hunt around where I am. Most of the time I find more zincolns than anything else. Hopefully that will change soon, as I am going on a trip in early August.

May I ask where you live?
Depending on if you are more into historic or recent stuff there may be opportunities to find some new permissions.
There also was a time when I found practically nothing even though I went metal detecting two or three times per week. But then I met a guy who showed me lots of permissions I did not even think about before and started finding way more coins and artefacts.

I live in north central Florida in a small town where everyone is grumpy. Even people that I am friends with don't want me Mding in their yard. I have not had much luck in the way of permissions.

That's very unfortunate!
But I'm sure you will find a good permission, soon!
Have you considered offering a lost jewelery / lost key recovering service yet?
And as a reward you ask for the actual petrol money or / plus permission to detect their property (and keep most of the finds).

That's how I do it. It's not taxable as work or income because it's on a voluntary basis but still you may get on some interesting grounds.
Many times I searched gardens and after several hours I found nothing.
But sometimes it's a honey hole full of (silver) coins, medieval / renaissance artefacts or some other goodies...

(please excuse my bad English)

I might try that after I get back.