Metal Detecting Finds
Learn The Most Common Metal Detecting Finds
I've outlined the most common metal detecting finds (some of which I've found myself!). As a detectorist with over 30 years experience, I assure you metal detecting is one of those hobbies that can really pay for itself over time.
All it requires is a metal detector and a good pair of shoes and you're off to the races.. Of course, the best metal detecting finds aren't the coins and jewelry but the really cool stuff, the weird stuff and the rare stuff that might never have been uncovered if not for you.
Here are some of the metal detecting finds to be on the lookout for.
Metal Detecting Finds: Rare Coins
Probably the most common type of true treasure to find on metal detector treasure hunting trips, everything from Buffalo Nickels and Silver dollars to just cool collector pieces like old pennies. The beaches and woods are full of spare change that people have lost over the decades, so expect to find a lot of these.
Tokens
If you go hunting near the city, you're sure to find a lot of odd tokens. These could be bus tokens, bridge tokens or even old arcade tokens. Many of these tokens are for businesses and services that aren't around anymore, so finding a token for the local arcade that burned down or went out of business can be a really cool piece of history.
Military Dog Tags
These are a relatively common find in New England where there has been plenty of military action over the years. You'll find a lot of sailor tags. These are really an incredible find as they're not only fascinating pieces of history, they also tell a story right on the tags themselves, bearing names, dates and places.
Antiques and Relics
Beyond the above, more common detecting finds, there are also just wild, weird and miscellaneous old relics you can expect to find. If you go exploring Civil War and Revolutionary War sites, you might find some ancient musket balls and other weird pieces of weaponry. Thimbles are a common find, too. Lord knows why they're scattered all over the place, but their metallic content makes them easy to pick up whether you're searching on sand, soil or water.
Bottle caps are an obvious one, but you might be surprised when you wind up finding antique toys. We've heard of treasure hunters finding cast iron toy trains and cars, but you might find something more common like a Cracker Jack cap gun or wind up toys.
If you're new to treasure hunting with your metal detector, get started by exploring your own backyard, parks, beaches and woods in your area. If you check out a metal detector forum, you'll see that it's not about making money from your finds (though that's a very real possibility), it's about exploring and discovering the incredible wealth of local history right below your feet.
Whether you're finding old war relics at famous battle sites or just some old stuff your grandpa lost in the lawn decades ago, sharing stories of your best metal detecting finds with other hunters is much more rewarding than the cash you might make pawning off that silver ring you found on the beach.
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