@ricko said: No silver??? Unbelievable.... Good luck this weekend...Cheers, RickO
I think my current site is getting depleted. Over the last few months it has produced about two dozen silver coins, and many dozens of wheat cents, most all of which were faint signals about 9 inches deep. The ground was damp yesterday; so, I was hoping to make a few more deep silver finds. Instead, based on yesterday's results I'm thinking that I need to find a new site soon.
Wow...That site has been really great for you. Maybe go back in the spring after the winter ice melts and the ground moves a bit. Good luck on finding a new site. Cheers, RickO
I scouted out several new sites today and did ok: 1951 quarter, 2 wheat cents, a sterling ring, and what I believe is the handle from a small silver fork or spoon.
@pcgs69 said:
Still finding lots of silver. I'm lucky if I find one silver per hunt now. Do you have a picture of the handle?
I was lucky to get the 1951 quarter on Saturday. I was at a new site that seemed promising from my research. The first target I dug was a very deep penny signal. It turned out to be a 1981 penny, about the worst target possible. I dug a few more deep clad coins before I started heading back to my car to leave.
I was almost off the property when I got a moderately deep quarter signal. I wasn't going to bother digging it, until the Etrac numbers changed ever so slightly from 46 to 45. This made me think it might be a silver dime. I was a little surprised when it turned out to be a silver quarter. I managed to dig two deep wheat cents in the immediately surrounding area before leaving when it got dark. I'll probably return to that site this weekend.
I threw the silver spoon or fork handle into my pile of scrap silver. It's very small, maybe a salt spoon or a baby spoon. I didn't measure it, but, would say it's only about three inches long.
The weather was just barely nice enough to detect today: 1942 Mercury dime, 1946 dime, and five wheat cents. I also found a silver ring, but, managed to lose it within minutes of finding it. It went flying when I pulled my car keys out of my pocket. I heard it hit the pavement and roll, no idea how far it went. I spent a minute or two looking for it without success, and then decided to move on to a different site.
@ricko said:
Nice finds.... I would go back for the ring.... That would bother me until I found it again. Cheers, RickO
I don't really care much about silver rings. Silver coins are what I want. The ring was from a new site that wasn't any good for old coins. I'll probably never return to that site again.
I found the two silver dimes after I lost the ring. Finding them was a better use of my limited time. Due to incoming cold weather, yesterday was probably the last metal detectable day of the year for me.
No. I backed the car up and looked on the pavement where the car had been parked. I even put on my glasses. The ring was nowhere to be seen. The ring was nothing special, a braided style that I didn't think was attractive.
How many times have you looked for rings or something like that for people and they tell you I lost it " right here" and you end up finding it a long ways from that spot. I've dropped stuff in the grass and can't figure out how it moves from where I dropped it.
@pocketpiececommems said:
How many times have you looked for rings or something like that for people and they tell you I lost it " right here" and you end up finding it a long ways from that spot. I've dropped stuff in the grass and can't figure out how it moves from where I dropped it.
Having lost pieces from farm equipment, in tall grass, from a machine...
I always dropped a similar item from the same height and position, and ended up finding the original item on the ground in the grass.
The weather briefly warmed up into the 40s today. I had five unfrozen hours to metal detect and did pretty well: four silver dimes and four wheat cents. The silver dimes are a very worn 1918 or 1919 Mercury dime, 1941 Mercury dime, 1959-D dime, and another Democrat dime that is so dirty and damaged that I'm unsure of the date so far. The damaged dime is convex and may have been exposed to fire.
I return to work tomorrow. My 2020 metal detecting season is over.
I'm out of vacation time and temperatures are below freezing; so, my 2020 season is over.
This was a decent year of metal detecting. I found 67 U.S. silver coins. That's not nearly as good as the 110 I found last year; however, 2019 and 2020 combined are my best two consecutive years ever.
The finds break down as follows:
Silver:
3 Barber dimes
22 Mercury dimes
21 Silver Roosevelt dimes
1 Standing Liberty quarter
11 Silver Washington quarters
9 War nickels
A small quantity of silver rings and other jewelry
Obsolete non-silver coins:
4 Indian cents
3 Liberty nickels
14 Buffalo nickels
1 Chinese Cash coin
1 1944 Australian penny
Approximately 299 Wheat cents
1 gold ring
This year's finds came from a variety of sites, with no one site accounting for a majority of the finds. My silver finds included a surprisingly large percentage of Washington quarters and war nickels.
I didn't find any meaningful firsts this year, such as my first Franklin half or first silver dollar, etc. Maybe next year will give me something noteworthy.
@Exbrit said:
Nice job - what was the primary detector that you used.? I know you've recently started playing around with the vanquish.
95% of my detecting is done with a Minelab Etrac. I also use a Minelab Equinox 600 as a travel machine and for finding masked coins at sites where the Etrac struggles due to high mineralization or excessive trash.
I have used my Vanquish 440 a few times now and think it's a great machine for the money. It stays in my car all the time. I am about to buy a Vanquish 540 in order to try the bigger coil and built in blue tooth. I'll probably sell off the 440, and maybe even the Equinox, once I get the 540. I intend to use the Vanquish in hot weather with wireless headphones.
My Minelab Vanquish 540 and RNB battery arrived yesterday; but, due to freezing temperatures, I don't foresee the ability to go detecting any time soon.
It's warm enough to go detecting this week; but, there's still a foot of accumulated snow on the ground. The first weekend in March will probably be the start of detecting season here.
A lot of melting the last two days...and today looks to be the same here.... was up to 47 degrees yesterday. Clean up those MD's guys and gals...Cheers, RickO
Exactly seven years have gone by since I started this thread, and it documents almost the entirety of my experience with metal detecting. I had only found 4 U.S. silver coins when I started this thread on March 10, 2014, and am now up to 468.
This hobby has provided me with immense enjoyment, and I don't foresee myself stopping any time soon.
@nickelsciolist said:
Okay....I just read this whole thread...and I think I am feeling a pull towards this obsession...this sounds so cool!!
So...what are suggestions for a good metal detector and how much should I think of spending?
And...are old abandoned schoolyards a good place to start?
Get yourself a Minelab Vanquish Model 440 for $279 or less. If you want to spend more, get a Minelab Vanquish 540 or Minelab Equinox 600. You will also want a pinpointer. I prefer the Garrett Propointer II, although the Garrett Propointer AT is waterproof and orange in color. Pinpointer should cost you $125 or so. I also use a Lesche hand digger, which should run you less than $40. That's enough equipment for years of enjoyment, and your finds will offset the cost of the equipment, possibly even pay for it completely.
Anyplace where people were active, especially activity back when silver coins were still in circulation, is a potentially good place to detect. Schoolyards are hit and miss. Some have already been heavily detected. Others have been bulldozed or had fill dirt added. A few are really great. You won't know until you try.
@nickelsciolist.... Welcome to the wonderful world of metal detecting. Keep us posted with what equipment you buy, and your experiences and finds. It is a great hobby - full of surprises and also a lot of junk. Good luck, Cheers, RickO
I visited two new sites today and found a little bit of silver at both: 1943 Mercury dime, 1964-D dime, and 1963-D quarter. I also dug two wheat cents today.
Comments
seems to be the same time frame as your Merc dimes.
Bakers Pacers Description
https://youtu.be/-p-JfpuSuVU
Bakers Pacers was produced by Baker Novelty Co., Inc. in 1939.
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Shorter hunt than usual today due to Thanksgiving: five wheat cents and another Bakers Pacers token, no silver.
I think my current site is getting depleted. Over the last few months it has produced about two dozen silver coins, and many dozens of wheat cents, most all of which were faint signals about 9 inches deep. The ground was damp yesterday; so, I was hoping to make a few more deep silver finds. Instead, based on yesterday's results I'm thinking that I need to find a new site soon.
Wow...That site has been really great for you. Maybe go back in the spring after the winter ice melts and the ground moves a bit. Good luck on finding a new site. Cheers, RickO
I scouted out several new sites today and did ok: 1951 quarter, 2 wheat cents, a sterling ring, and what I believe is the handle from a small silver fork or spoon.
Still finding lots of silver. I'm lucky if I find one silver per hunt now. Do you have a picture of the handle?
Nice.... You continue to be a silver magnet....Is this the new site? Or did you revisit the old one? Cheers, RickO
I only went to new sites on Saturday.
I was lucky to get the 1951 quarter on Saturday. I was at a new site that seemed promising from my research. The first target I dug was a very deep penny signal. It turned out to be a 1981 penny, about the worst target possible. I dug a few more deep clad coins before I started heading back to my car to leave.
I was almost off the property when I got a moderately deep quarter signal. I wasn't going to bother digging it, until the Etrac numbers changed ever so slightly from 46 to 45. This made me think it might be a silver dime. I was a little surprised when it turned out to be a silver quarter. I managed to dig two deep wheat cents in the immediately surrounding area before leaving when it got dark. I'll probably return to that site this weekend.
I threw the silver spoon or fork handle into my pile of scrap silver. It's very small, maybe a salt spoon or a baby spoon. I didn't measure it, but, would say it's only about three inches long.
Out of curiosity, are these parks you are in, or ballfields, or private property? Just interested to know!
Cheers,
Surf
It's almost always parks and schools. I rarely detect on private property.
Back to the new site today: 1959-D dime and eleven wheat cents.
Silver and wheaties....Never gets boring when these are found...Cheers, RickO
The weather was just barely nice enough to detect today: 1942 Mercury dime, 1946 dime, and five wheat cents. I also found a silver ring, but, managed to lose it within minutes of finding it. It went flying when I pulled my car keys out of my pocket. I heard it hit the pavement and roll, no idea how far it went. I spent a minute or two looking for it without success, and then decided to move on to a different site.
Giveth and taketh away....
Nice finds.... I would go back for the ring.... That would bother me until I found it again. Cheers, RickO
I don't really care much about silver rings. Silver coins are what I want. The ring was from a new site that wasn't any good for old coins. I'll probably never return to that site again.
I found the two silver dimes after I lost the ring. Finding them was a better use of my limited time. Due to incoming cold weather, yesterday was probably the last metal detectable day of the year for me.
Was that ring hiding under your car??
Lafayette Grading Set
No. I backed the car up and looked on the pavement where the car had been parked. I even put on my glasses. The ring was nowhere to be seen. The ring was nothing special, a braided style that I didn't think was attractive.
How many times have you looked for rings or something like that for people and they tell you I lost it " right here" and you end up finding it a long ways from that spot. I've dropped stuff in the grass and can't figure out how it moves from where I dropped it.
Lafayette Grading Set
Having lost pieces from farm equipment, in tall grass, from a machine...
I always dropped a similar item from the same height and position, and ended up finding the original item on the ground in the grass.
Not quite the same but similar.
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
The weather briefly warmed up into the 40s today. I had five unfrozen hours to metal detect and did pretty well: four silver dimes and four wheat cents. The silver dimes are a very worn 1918 or 1919 Mercury dime, 1941 Mercury dime, 1959-D dime, and another Democrat dime that is so dirty and damaged that I'm unsure of the date so far. The damaged dime is convex and may have been exposed to fire.
I return to work tomorrow. My 2020 metal detecting season is over.
Congrats on those nice finds today.
Lafayette Grading Set
Nice silver finds.... If that dime is a 1919, check closely for the doubled IGWT..... Good luck, Cheers, RickO
I'm out of vacation time and temperatures are below freezing; so, my 2020 season is over.
This was a decent year of metal detecting. I found 67 U.S. silver coins. That's not nearly as good as the 110 I found last year; however, 2019 and 2020 combined are my best two consecutive years ever.
The finds break down as follows:
Silver:
3 Barber dimes
22 Mercury dimes
21 Silver Roosevelt dimes
1 Standing Liberty quarter
11 Silver Washington quarters
9 War nickels
A small quantity of silver rings and other jewelry
Obsolete non-silver coins:
4 Indian cents
3 Liberty nickels
14 Buffalo nickels
1 Chinese Cash coin
1 1944 Australian penny
Approximately 299 Wheat cents
1 gold ring
This year's finds came from a variety of sites, with no one site accounting for a majority of the finds. My silver finds included a surprisingly large percentage of Washington quarters and war nickels.
I didn't find any meaningful firsts this year, such as my first Franklin half or first silver dollar, etc. Maybe next year will give me something noteworthy.
Those are fantastic year in totals and I know that you don't count your clad but I'll bet that you had a bunch of that for gas money
Lafayette Grading Set
Nice job - what was the primary detector that you used.? I know you've recently started playing around with the vanquish.
95% of my detecting is done with a Minelab Etrac. I also use a Minelab Equinox 600 as a travel machine and for finding masked coins at sites where the Etrac struggles due to high mineralization or excessive trash.
I have used my Vanquish 440 a few times now and think it's a great machine for the money. It stays in my car all the time. I am about to buy a Vanquish 540 in order to try the bigger coil and built in blue tooth. I'll probably sell off the 440, and maybe even the Equinox, once I get the 540. I intend to use the Vanquish in hot weather with wireless headphones.
@Bayard1908 .... Those are great totals.... Lots of silver. Happy New Year and best of luck in 2021. Cheers, RickO
My Minelab Vanquish 540 and RNB battery arrived yesterday; but, due to freezing temperatures, I don't foresee the ability to go detecting any time soon.
It's warm enough to go detecting this week; but, there's still a foot of accumulated snow on the ground. The first weekend in March will probably be the start of detecting season here.
A lot of melting the last two days...and today looks to be the same here.... was up to 47 degrees yesterday. Clean up those MD's guys and gals...Cheers, RickO
Today was the start of metal detecting season. I dug a 1916 Mercury dime, 1946 dime, 1952-S dime, and five wheat cents.
I also tried out the Vanquish 540 with wireless headphones and dug a bunch of clad with it.
Wow... three silvers to start off the season.... SUPER!! Look forward to your finds as the season progresses. Cheers, RickO
Nice start for the Silver Season.
Lafayette Grading Set
Exactly seven years have gone by since I started this thread, and it documents almost the entirety of my experience with metal detecting. I had only found 4 U.S. silver coins when I started this thread on March 10, 2014, and am now up to 468.
This hobby has provided me with immense enjoyment, and I don't foresee myself stopping any time soon.
Okay....I just read this whole thread...and I think I am feeling a pull towards this obsession...this sounds so cool!!
So...what are suggestions for a good metal detector and how much should I think of spending?
And...are old abandoned schoolyards a good place to start?
Get yourself a Minelab Vanquish Model 440 for $279 or less. If you want to spend more, get a Minelab Vanquish 540 or Minelab Equinox 600. You will also want a pinpointer. I prefer the Garrett Propointer II, although the Garrett Propointer AT is waterproof and orange in color. Pinpointer should cost you $125 or so. I also use a Lesche hand digger, which should run you less than $40. That's enough equipment for years of enjoyment, and your finds will offset the cost of the equipment, possibly even pay for it completely.
Anyplace where people were active, especially activity back when silver coins were still in circulation, is a potentially good place to detect. Schoolyards are hit and miss. Some have already been heavily detected. Others have been bulldozed or had fill dirt added. A few are really great. You won't know until you try.
@nickelsciolist.... Welcome to the wonderful world of metal detecting. Keep us posted with what equipment you buy, and your experiences and finds. It is a great hobby - full of surprises and also a lot of junk. Good luck, Cheers, RickO
I visited two new sites today and found a little bit of silver at both: 1943 Mercury dime, 1964-D dime, and 1963-D quarter. I also dug two wheat cents today.
Silver and wheaties.... You should change your forum handle to that...
Cheers, RickO
I visited four new sites today, two of which were ok: 1946 dime, 1964-D dime, and seven wheat cents.
Once again.... silver dimes and wheat cents.... I must say, you are amazingly consistent. Cheers, RickO
Tough day today: 1953-D dime and three wheat cents.
Yep, tough day... Only one silver instead of three....
Cheers, RickO
Today I dug a 1954 quarter, 1954-D quarter, four wheat cents, and a sterling crucifix for Easter.
Stepping up your game... silver quarters instead of dimes...
Nice finds. Cheers, RickO
Nice to see your 2021 is starting off well with silver. Looking forward to your future finds.
Two wheat cents and an aluminum sales tax token from Oklahoma yesterday. All the new sites I tried yesterday were no good.