Metal Detecting Forum

Please allow me to make the case for a separate forum category.

Digging up a big ole pile of buried coins is probably every collector's dream, the numismatic equivalent of lottery winning fantasies. Yet very few collectors seem to do anything to make that dream a reality. A functional metal detector can be picked up for around the cost of a dinner date for two, most of us have spent more on a single coin so why isn't it more popular?

My personal view is that it's because it's a very hard hobby to get involved with. There are metal detecting clubs for sure but they have a reputation for being somewhat aloof and condescending towards newcomers with "inferior" equipment. They seem to consider themselves to be on a par with archaeological digs. I very much dislike such types and it usually doesn't end happily when we meet. I'm not really a club kinda guy, I'm an anti social recluse. I don't think I'd want to be going digging up old coins on someone else's schedule, then turning them over to someone else, that sounds suspiciously like a job.

There are a bewildering number of Federal, State and County laws along with City Ordinances and By Laws which restrict what can be done on public land. Private land needs the consent of the owner whether the law demands it or not, that's just the right thing to do. You can be absolutely sure that in modern America's permanently offended, pussified society that some beta male type will call the cops on you for intruding on their "safe space" or merely because you are not sitting around like a zombie in the government approved manner. Having searched quite thoroughly for information regarding what the laws governing this pastime might be it is very apparent that nobody really knows, especially the cops. They will almost certainly tell you to pack up and move on as they just want to get back to their donuts. Almost every regular metal detector has the same tales to relate of being threatened with arrest, or of actual arrests, usually on that good old fall back charge, "resisting arrest". Who needs that kind of drama?

My idea of a great day metal detecting involves an early start, a cooler full of beer and a bucket of fried chicken for lunch. Empty beer cans are great for driving away interfering beta males and of course the ring pulls just have to be buried where you know your mates are going to be digging. Pitching tents and having a great old time around the campfire with more cold beer would be a perfect end to the day if the distance warranted it. In other words it should be FUN. In the unlikely event that it yields any worthwhile coins, well that would be a nice bonus and there is always the intriguingly remote possibility of turning up a substantial find.

Does that sound like a great way to spend a weekend to you? Yeah, me too.

So why not have a sub forum where questions can be answered, locations shared, finds boasted of and events planned? As it's only going to appeal to a limited number of members any such discussions would very quickly be swamped in the free discussion forum. It won't be easy given the sheer size of America but I'm sure there are many like minded members within driving distance of each other and just the act of providing a forum for the casual detector owner should bring in new members looking to participate.

Is it coin related and within the Numista scope?

I can hear it now - "Numista isn't a metal detecting website, blah, blah...." Well it isn't a competition based website either but we have such a sub forum. Nor is it a marketplace or an identification service but we have both a Coin ID and a Swaps & Trades forum. I suspect that most people swinging a detector back and forth are mainly looking for coins, although a gold ring and or a vintage watch would be most welcome, and that most detectorists (if that's the right term) have an interest in cataloging and collecting the coins they find. Furthermore, I would contend that most numismatists would like to become detectorists if the opportunity presented itself. The two pastimes seem very much dovetailed to me and a discussion about finding coins this way is no more out of place than one about buying them on eBay.

Would you participate or enjoy reading such a forum? Do you have questions that you would like answers for, or are you able to provide the answers? Would you like to join in an occasional field trip, pack up the car with a tent or sleeping bags, much beer, steaks and hotdogs, and come home with pockets full of old coins? Would you like to know how to preserve and clean dug coins? If so speak up and cast your vote, if not... well nobody is going to force you to read it.

Quote: "pnightingale"​My personal view is that it's because it's a very hard hobby to get involved with. There are metal detecting clubs for sure but they have a reputation for being somewhat aloof and condescending towards newcomers with "inferior" equipment. They seem to consider themselves to be on a par with archaeological digs. I very much dislike such types and it usually doesn't end happily when we meet. I'm not really a club kinda guy, I'm an anti social recluse. I don't think I'd want to be going digging up old coins on someone else's schedule, then turning them over to someone else, that sounds suspiciously like a job.

You just described me almost perfectly.

I bought a fairly decent hobby detector over a year ago and I have only used it a handful of times. It is gathering dust now as my health no longer allows me to be able to hold it without it feeling like someone is yanking a nerve out of my spine. Plus it is hard to use one when I need a walking stick to get about.

I agree a metal detecting section would be good and would cover a lot more topics, especially history with worldwide locations.

I +1 this suggestion.
​

I really hate that metal detecting is forbidden in Sweden.

I had a brilliant idea a few years ago and started to pick up old road maps, atlases, survey maps etc. I thought they would be a really useful way to find new and unexplored detecting sites as much of the country has changed beyond recognition since the 1930's. I'd love to share tips in suggestions with others in those parts of the country I'm not likely to get to.

I would go forward with this, it may attract new users to the site and as with the case of banknotes forum - it would certainly do no harm.

Quote: "ngdawa"​I really hate that metal detecting is forbidden in Sweden.

​Really? what a bizarre and pointless law. It could help unearth many Swedish historic items.

Quote: "Fluke"​

Quote: "ngdawa"​I really hate that metal detecting is forbidden in Sweden.

​​Really? what a bizarre and pointless law. It could help unearth many Swedish historic items.

​I know right! The thing is that if you buy a house you just own the property and the garden, but everything burried deeper than 0.5 meters in the ground is earned by the government.
So, let's say you're digging a 2 meter deep hole in your own garden (to build a basement or something), and you find some viking artifacts and old coins at the bottom of your hole, it is by law own my the state and not by you. So if you keep it you may be charged for withholding state treasures and historial artifacts.

So to use metal detectors you must ask for permission to search on the specific spot (even if it's on your back yard) and then you are only allowed to search on the specific spot. You may also be asked to specify what exactly you are looking for. If you find anything except for, let's say the earring you were looking for, you must contact the authorities. If its useless or without historical interest you may be allowed to keep it.

Im going to buy detector  :) Hope closer to spring I will start  :)

Hi Guys

Here in the UK we ALWAYS have to ask the permission of the land owner for permission and agree a 50/50 share if the finds are above agreed value, the usual value is below £100 UK pound, keep it
above that share 50/50.
Some finds have to reported so it best to have a look at this site for those rules
https://finds.org.uk/

Most finds are between 4 to 12 inches down so no need to hire a JCB digger.

This is also a good site for information
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/
http://www.garysdetecting.co.uk/forum/index.php

Please do not buy a detector thinking you will get rich, big mistake.
Think of it as a fun thing to do and if you find something well that’s the bonus.

When you find somewhere to search think of it as your own backyard,
REMEMBER if it was yours and someone wished to search

YOU WOULD EXPECT THEM TO ASK for permission.

Agree, probably you willnot become rich, but at least youwill save your money on your local coinage.
I paid once 100 GEL for a coin, then 200, then $ 500. ToTal, about $ 1000 since 2015 summer just for 18 Georgian coins.
Then I decided to stop it, and I hope I will decide to buy it finally.
best
D

Quote: "ngdawa"​

Quote: "Fluke"​
​

Quote: "ngdawa"​I really hate that metal detecting is forbidden in Sweden.

​​​Really? what a bizarre and pointless law. It could help unearth many Swedish historic items.

​​I know right! The thing is that if you buy a house you just own the property and the garden, but everything burried deeper than 0.5 meters in the ground is earned by the government.
​So, let's say you're digging a 2 meter deep hole in your own garden (to build a basement or something), and you find some viking artifacts and old coins at the bottom of your hole, it is by law own my the state and not by you. So if you keep it you may be charged for withholding state treasures and historial artifacts.
​
​So to use metal detectors you must ask for permission to search on the specific spot (even if it's on your back yard) and then you are only allowed to search on the specific spot. You may also be asked to specify what exactly you are looking for. If you find anything except for, let's say the earring you were looking for, you must contact the authorities. If its useless or without historical interest you may be allowed to keep it.

​That actually sounds archaic and medieval style laws, greedy kings or rulers. You do all the work but have to share it out to a party who doesn't lift a finger.

Same with landowners, 50/50 is ridiculous as they would never have found anything themselves. 75/25 is a more acceptable split unless it is a whopping find, then I agree it should be 50/50, anything higher than £500.

Adding this idea here: https://en.numista.com/forum/topic46311.html

May be it will get some attention. I hope so, as with many other pressing issues.

Its terrible when you live in a country where you have to be afraid of every bastard you see, i have a nice but cheap detecotr (Garret ACE 150) but here people would stab you to death just for taking it away, nasty people, thats the way my wish dies slowly

Sometimes is hard to use this machines

Anyone here interested in metal detecting as a hobby should be reading TreasureNet.com.

Quote: "Jarcek"​Adding this idea here: https://en.numista.com/forum/topic46311.html
​
​May be it will get some attention. I hope so, as with many other pressing issues.

​Thank you my dear fellow.

I hope so, I don't think ten votes is going to be enough to persuade Dear Leader of the merit.

I would love to get into metal detecting, but I seriously doubt there's too much of interest in my area. The top half of the North Island however if far more interesting. I've seen numerous stories where farmers have pulled out muskets, musketballs, cannonballs, etc from the Maori land wars of the mid 1800s

Hi
Some video about metal detecting that may be of interest

http://www.garysdetecting.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=17.0

looks like you need to be a member to view them

Hi
Sorry about that so here is just a few hope you like them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccfexgi6tu0
https://youtu.be/7DVjak97dsQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_zevm6pP90
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ngew6e6qZ8
https://youtu.be/6mOsI8iZLAA

Well guys and gals if you don't know already I have my own Metal Detecting Channel on You Tube so feel free to take a look and Subscribe if you like :-) I love detecting, Bottle Digging, Fossil Hunting and Coin & Banknote collecting and have cases full of my finds on display.

Cheers

John
LittleJohn
Metal Detecting

Hi everyone,
I think this is very good idea to have a separate forum!
Sometimes I see couple of people walking around the park at the beach with metal detectors and digging up holes once in a while. I always wonder if they ever find some treasures? Like a can full of gold coins or something...
The other weekend after the football game (not American football and yes, I still play football at my 48 every weekend) I've talked to the guy who was checking the park with the metal detector. He told me his equipment was not good enough to detect old coins but over the years he's picked up lots of golden rings and chains.
So I thought it was a good idea, but I don't want to do it alone. If I had a chance to do it the way Phil has described it, I would fly to Florida for a long weekend....
The conclusion is I would love to read the other people stories even if I might never have a chance to experience it myself...

Argos have item 911/6256 for £23 >
Discovery Adventures Channel Digital Metal Detector

I also support this. I would also say to Jarcek that adding banknotes to the site will also increase traffic to the website. .(grin)

Quote: "ngdawa"​I really hate that metal detecting is forbidden in Sweden.

​that's a shame!