Favorite Finds - U.S.
October 2019
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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for October 2019 is the 100 year Celebration Pendant 1896, found by Doug W. from Ohio with his AT Max.
Doug's story: My friend Joel and I detect together and try to get out every week. I live out in the country and I am always looking for permissions. There is an old homesite within view from my home. I have always wanted to detect there, but never stopped to ask. Finally, one day I saw someone outside and decided to stop. The owner was very gracious and seemed almost as excited as I was to see what might be there. He did not know the actual age of the home, but we both knew that it was pre-1856. We planned a date for Joel and I to come and we couldn't wait to get there.
The day turned out to be more amazing then we could have ever imagined! We found a shield nickel, Barber quarter, Walking Liberty half dollar (I wish that was my find!), tokens, Indians, and I even found a Draped Bust large cent among other great things.
Now this is where the story got exciting for me. I got a very good repeatable tone in the upper 70's that I thought was a coin. When I pulled it from the ground, I could see that it was an odd shape, but it was covered in dirt. Just then the homeowner happened to walk out of the house to ask if we were having any luck. I quickly told him YES as I was just pulling this "thing" out of the ground, but had no idea what it was! I wiped and brushed it off to see it for the first time after all these years. I remember bursting out, "IT HAS WRITING ON IT!" Still not knowing what it was I cleaned it a little more and handed to the homeowner to read. We were both so excited as he read it!
"100th Anniversary Wayne County Ohio 1796-1896, Gen. Mad Anthony Wayne Celebration, Wooster, Ohio Aug 11-16."
When I got home, we cleaned it up more and then started to research it. That is when we discovered that it was a 100th Anniversary Celebration of General "MAD" Anthony Wayne, the man that Wayne County was named after! He was born on Jan. 1st 1745, and passed away Dec. 15th 1796. The celebration was for 100 year after his passing. This pendant would have been worn by people who would have attended this celebration back in 1896! It was beautiful, and my favorite find of the day! There is so much amazing history about Gen. Anthony Wayne that I would encourage everyone to research him to see what he had accomplished.
The other picture is a shot of the celebration on Friday Aug. 14th 1896. Every time I see this picture it makes me smile and look back, wishing I could have been there to be a part of it!
Doug's story: My friend Joel and I detect together and try to get out every week. I live out in the country and I am always looking for permissions. There is an old homesite within view from my home. I have always wanted to detect there, but never stopped to ask. Finally, one day I saw someone outside and decided to stop. The owner was very gracious and seemed almost as excited as I was to see what might be there. He did not know the actual age of the home, but we both knew that it was pre-1856. We planned a date for Joel and I to come and we couldn't wait to get there.
The day turned out to be more amazing then we could have ever imagined! We found a shield nickel, Barber quarter, Walking Liberty half dollar (I wish that was my find!), tokens, Indians, and I even found a Draped Bust large cent among other great things.
Now this is where the story got exciting for me. I got a very good repeatable tone in the upper 70's that I thought was a coin. When I pulled it from the ground, I could see that it was an odd shape, but it was covered in dirt. Just then the homeowner happened to walk out of the house to ask if we were having any luck. I quickly told him YES as I was just pulling this "thing" out of the ground, but had no idea what it was! I wiped and brushed it off to see it for the first time after all these years. I remember bursting out, "IT HAS WRITING ON IT!" Still not knowing what it was I cleaned it a little more and handed to the homeowner to read. We were both so excited as he read it!
"100th Anniversary Wayne County Ohio 1796-1896, Gen. Mad Anthony Wayne Celebration, Wooster, Ohio Aug 11-16."
When I got home, we cleaned it up more and then started to research it. That is when we discovered that it was a 100th Anniversary Celebration of General "MAD" Anthony Wayne, the man that Wayne County was named after! He was born on Jan. 1st 1745, and passed away Dec. 15th 1796. The celebration was for 100 year after his passing. This pendant would have been worn by people who would have attended this celebration back in 1896! It was beautiful, and my favorite find of the day! There is so much amazing history about Gen. Anthony Wayne that I would encourage everyone to research him to see what he had accomplished.
The other picture is a shot of the celebration on Friday Aug. 14th 1896. Every time I see this picture it makes me smile and look back, wishing I could have been there to be a part of it!
Doug W. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. favorite find for October 2019 is the 1850's double date Mexican 1 Reale, found by Ronnie R. from Texas with his AT Pro.
Ronnie's story: While hunting a ghost town in Texas with three friends, I was using my AT Pro and they were using high end competitor machines. After about four hours of hunting me and the AT Pro came up with the only coin of the day. It was a Mexican silver one Reale minted in the 1850's with a double date in very good shape minus where a plow hit while it laid in that field for about 160 years… Thank you Garrett family.
Ronnie's story: While hunting a ghost town in Texas with three friends, I was using my AT Pro and they were using high end competitor machines. After about four hours of hunting me and the AT Pro came up with the only coin of the day. It was a Mexican silver one Reale minted in the 1850's with a double date in very good shape minus where a plow hit while it laid in that field for about 160 years… Thank you Garrett family.
Ronnie R. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
September 2019
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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for September 2019 is the 1899 US $10 Gold coin S mint, found by Keno R. from California with his AT Pro.
Keno's story: Well it was my first time meeting up detecting with a new friend. He was swinging a competitors machine, and me my trusty Garrett AT Pro. Both finding a lot of nails and remnants of an old fire. A few hours in was started to get dark. I decided to check the far corner of the property near the old sidewalk. Two cute eledery women come walking down the sidewalk and one playfully says "Find any gold?" I play along and say "no just these" and held up one of the many recent pull tabs. I start to walk away and have this funny feeling to go back to where I was with the lady and her gold comment. I get a choppy but decent repeating signal of 80 along with 30's nail signals. My mind is blank as I start to dig, perhaps daydreaming of a screaming high silver signal, and out of the dirt 4 inches down blops a beautiful near perfect 1899 US $10 Gold coin S mint!! I call over my new buddy, he was like "I checked that spot 3 times before you got here!!!" I was beside myself! What a day!
Keno's story: Well it was my first time meeting up detecting with a new friend. He was swinging a competitors machine, and me my trusty Garrett AT Pro. Both finding a lot of nails and remnants of an old fire. A few hours in was started to get dark. I decided to check the far corner of the property near the old sidewalk. Two cute eledery women come walking down the sidewalk and one playfully says "Find any gold?" I play along and say "no just these" and held up one of the many recent pull tabs. I start to walk away and have this funny feeling to go back to where I was with the lady and her gold comment. I get a choppy but decent repeating signal of 80 along with 30's nail signals. My mind is blank as I start to dig, perhaps daydreaming of a screaming high silver signal, and out of the dirt 4 inches down blops a beautiful near perfect 1899 US $10 Gold coin S mint!! I call over my new buddy, he was like "I checked that spot 3 times before you got here!!!" I was beside myself! What a day!
Keno R. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. favorite find for September 2019 is the Grand Army Of The Republic Belt Buckle, found by Trevor M. from Michigan with his AT Pro.
Trevor's story: I went on a weekend metal detecting road trip with two friends with the idea of stopping by old towns and door knocking on the way to our club picnic. Our first stop and first permission was awesome. My first plug was a coin spill with two wheat pennies and a silver dime. About 10 minutes later i got an absolutely beautiful signal with my AT Pro. About 6 inches down i found a small piece of leather and this buckle. Its a Grand Army of the Republic belt buckle. The Grand Army of the Republic was a Michigan organization for Civil War Veterans. My best relic to date by far and a beautiful piece of history.
Trevor's story: I went on a weekend metal detecting road trip with two friends with the idea of stopping by old towns and door knocking on the way to our club picnic. Our first stop and first permission was awesome. My first plug was a coin spill with two wheat pennies and a silver dime. About 10 minutes later i got an absolutely beautiful signal with my AT Pro. About 6 inches down i found a small piece of leather and this buckle. Its a Grand Army of the Republic belt buckle. The Grand Army of the Republic was a Michigan organization for Civil War Veterans. My best relic to date by far and a beautiful piece of history.
Trevor M. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #3
My third U.S. favorite find for September 2019 is the Priests Ring Anointing Oil Jar, found by Scott A. from Massachusetts, with his AT Pro.
Scott's story: With my AT Pro, I came across a fluctuating but strong signal near the base of a strategically placed barrier rock near the entrance/parking lot. Running the Pro Zero full program with iron audio set at 40, the digital target ID was consistently running between 48-52. A somewhat trashy site, I decided the target was a worthwhile dig and found the cylinder roughly 5" below the surface. Needless to say, I couldn't readily identify the object. The elements of possessing a fold-put ring and screw off cap baffled me when trying to ascertain what it was. It took some consultation with my fellow hobbyists and an ultimately a local Catholic church to determine what it is.
Turns out… it is a Swift & Fisher priests ring anointing oil (OI) jar with the now emulsified anointing oil (now a greenish color) still inside. Swift & Fisher apparently furnished a line of religious items from 1915 through 1965. An interesting twist is that this OI jar should be accompanied by two other jars. (The three jars hold the sacred chrism oils; the meaning behind the oils is OI stands for Oleum Infirmorum and is the Oil of the Infirm, OC stands for Oleum Catechumenorum and is the Oil of Catechumens, and finally, SC is Sacrum Chrisma which is the oil that will be used in the administration of the sacraments). As to how this OI jar found it's way to the park or what the disposition is of the other two jars is anyone's guess at this point.
Definitely one of my eyebrow raising finds to date. The AT Pro has been by far my favorite machine to get out and hunt with. I've been detecting for roughly two years now. Thank you for the opportunity to present.
Scott's story: With my AT Pro, I came across a fluctuating but strong signal near the base of a strategically placed barrier rock near the entrance/parking lot. Running the Pro Zero full program with iron audio set at 40, the digital target ID was consistently running between 48-52. A somewhat trashy site, I decided the target was a worthwhile dig and found the cylinder roughly 5" below the surface. Needless to say, I couldn't readily identify the object. The elements of possessing a fold-put ring and screw off cap baffled me when trying to ascertain what it was. It took some consultation with my fellow hobbyists and an ultimately a local Catholic church to determine what it is.
Turns out… it is a Swift & Fisher priests ring anointing oil (OI) jar with the now emulsified anointing oil (now a greenish color) still inside. Swift & Fisher apparently furnished a line of religious items from 1915 through 1965. An interesting twist is that this OI jar should be accompanied by two other jars. (The three jars hold the sacred chrism oils; the meaning behind the oils is OI stands for Oleum Infirmorum and is the Oil of the Infirm, OC stands for Oleum Catechumenorum and is the Oil of Catechumens, and finally, SC is Sacrum Chrisma which is the oil that will be used in the administration of the sacraments). As to how this OI jar found it's way to the park or what the disposition is of the other two jars is anyone's guess at this point.
Definitely one of my eyebrow raising finds to date. The AT Pro has been by far my favorite machine to get out and hunt with. I've been detecting for roughly two years now. Thank you for the opportunity to present.
Scott A. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
AUGUST 2019 HAS TWO WINNERS!!!
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WINNER #1
My United States favorite find for August 2019 is the Boston Artillery Breast Plate, found by Thoren P. from Maine, with his AT Max.
Thoren's story: This is my first year metal detecting, and since I got the AT Max I have found things I couldn't even imagine, along with this find.
My friend Billy and I were planning to do some island hopping on old homesteads, when he decided that we should go down and check out a field before we left. Approximately 5 minutes into the field search, Billy struck across a 1843 large cent. 15 minutes after that is when I ran my Max across what I believe to be now, the best signal I'll probably ever get in my lifetime, screaming an 84 at 4" deep. I proceeded to cut my plug, and the pin-pointer could pick it up.
I saw something oval, had some hook and stud looking things on the back, and rolled it over to read "Boston Artillery" after doing much research, and talking to some war historians, they believe it to be the only known surviving example of this style plate. Got offered a good amount of money, but the memories made on an day like that don't have a price tag.
Thoren's story: This is my first year metal detecting, and since I got the AT Max I have found things I couldn't even imagine, along with this find.
My friend Billy and I were planning to do some island hopping on old homesteads, when he decided that we should go down and check out a field before we left. Approximately 5 minutes into the field search, Billy struck across a 1843 large cent. 15 minutes after that is when I ran my Max across what I believe to be now, the best signal I'll probably ever get in my lifetime, screaming an 84 at 4" deep. I proceeded to cut my plug, and the pin-pointer could pick it up.
I saw something oval, had some hook and stud looking things on the back, and rolled it over to read "Boston Artillery" after doing much research, and talking to some war historians, they believe it to be the only known surviving example of this style plate. Got offered a good amount of money, but the memories made on an day like that don't have a price tag.
Thoren P. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second United States favorite find for August 2019 is the 1851 Liberty Head Gold $1 Coin, found by Aaron S. from Indiana with his AT Pro.
Aaron's story: My favorite find. My bucket list coin of my life. With my son by my side.
On August 24th, I started out by asking a man who wanted me to do some work for him if I could metal detect his yard and I was thinking the answer would be no, but he surprised me and said yes go ahead. Well then I called my son and we grabbed our gear and headed out. I first dug a gold ring and I hollered at my son and said hey Spencer I found a ring! He ran over and asked if it was gold? I said I believe it is, and we started detecting again. I then dug a lead piece and he dug a wheat penny.
I then got a 51 signal on my AT Pro and said hey son I think I got a nickel here at 4 inches. I took my ATX shovel and dug down by the sidewalk of this 1840's home and said oh my God. He came a running. I looked down at another gold thing. Pulled it out and we was both in awe. An 1851 liberty head gold $1 coin. We hunted for another hour. Took our finds in and showed the owner. Very exciting day and another memory made with my son.
Aaron's story: My favorite find. My bucket list coin of my life. With my son by my side.
On August 24th, I started out by asking a man who wanted me to do some work for him if I could metal detect his yard and I was thinking the answer would be no, but he surprised me and said yes go ahead. Well then I called my son and we grabbed our gear and headed out. I first dug a gold ring and I hollered at my son and said hey Spencer I found a ring! He ran over and asked if it was gold? I said I believe it is, and we started detecting again. I then dug a lead piece and he dug a wheat penny.
I then got a 51 signal on my AT Pro and said hey son I think I got a nickel here at 4 inches. I took my ATX shovel and dug down by the sidewalk of this 1840's home and said oh my God. He came a running. I looked down at another gold thing. Pulled it out and we was both in awe. An 1851 liberty head gold $1 coin. We hunted for another hour. Took our finds in and showed the owner. Very exciting day and another memory made with my son.
Aaron S. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
JULY 2019 HAS TWO WINNERS!!!
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WINNER #1
My favorite find for July 2019 is the CSA Button, found by Matthew C. from TX with his AT-Max.
Matthew's story: A buddy of mine took me to a permission of his and we had started early to try and beat the heat. We hunted one spot for a while and had some good luck there. It started to get really hot and we decided to hop in the truck and catch some AC while we drove to another spot on the property before the heat became too much.
I was about 20 minutes into this new site when I got a sweet sounding high tone on my AT-Max. Now keep in mind the ground is hard as a rock and our shovels just weren't doing the trick so we were having to dig with a pick ax. As I started to dig I started to find large chunks of old bone (probably deer) and I was still getting a great signal and was thinking it was probably going to be a bullet. I got down to the bottom and saw what looked like a button and then I saw it was a CSA button I was so excited because I had never found one before because we just don't see stuff like that too often. We are confident with the other items we found that we might have found a confederate camp site. We both got a little over heated but we had a great time anyway. I can't wait to head back to that location maybe when the ground softens up a bit.
Matthew C. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Matthew's story: A buddy of mine took me to a permission of his and we had started early to try and beat the heat. We hunted one spot for a while and had some good luck there. It started to get really hot and we decided to hop in the truck and catch some AC while we drove to another spot on the property before the heat became too much.
I was about 20 minutes into this new site when I got a sweet sounding high tone on my AT-Max. Now keep in mind the ground is hard as a rock and our shovels just weren't doing the trick so we were having to dig with a pick ax. As I started to dig I started to find large chunks of old bone (probably deer) and I was still getting a great signal and was thinking it was probably going to be a bullet. I got down to the bottom and saw what looked like a button and then I saw it was a CSA button I was so excited because I had never found one before because we just don't see stuff like that too often. We are confident with the other items we found that we might have found a confederate camp site. We both got a little over heated but we had a great time anyway. I can't wait to head back to that location maybe when the ground softens up a bit.
Matthew C. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second favorite find for July 2019 is the Civil War Era 7th Corps Badge made from a post-1853 Seated Dime, found by Jason O. from Minnesota with his AT Pro.
Jason's story: Went out to my heavily hit fields which was a site here in MN from the Sioux Uprising. Have been hunting these fields for a good 5 years now. Continued to a spot I have pulled some great items out of. Took my time and swung slow and low. Got a choppy upper 70s, and my ID, I would say it was about 4 inches down. Didn't think much of the piece at first but ended up having to take a break due to a storm rolling in. While sitting in my car did some brief research and turns out this is a Civil War era 7th Corps Badge made from a post-1853 Seated dime! You can see the stars and part of the date and arrows near the bottom.
Jason O. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Jason's story: Went out to my heavily hit fields which was a site here in MN from the Sioux Uprising. Have been hunting these fields for a good 5 years now. Continued to a spot I have pulled some great items out of. Took my time and swung slow and low. Got a choppy upper 70s, and my ID, I would say it was about 4 inches down. Didn't think much of the piece at first but ended up having to take a break due to a storm rolling in. While sitting in my car did some brief research and turns out this is a Civil War era 7th Corps Badge made from a post-1853 Seated dime! You can see the stars and part of the date and arrows near the bottom.
Jason O. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
JUNE 2019 HAS TWO WINNERS!
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WINNER #1
WINNER #1
My favorite U.S. find for June 2019 is the 1850's Document Embossing Seal, found by Douglas G. from Maryland with his AT Max.
Douglas's story: I was out with my uncle working a large farm field with my AT Max while he was swinging his AT Pro. A few buttons and bullets and such had been found by us both. A few swings later in what seemed like the middle of nowhere I picked up this super sweet deep signal. I dug pretty deep and found what looked like a small metal hockey puck. To my surprise it had an older style eagle on it and some lettering around the edge. It took me a few minutes to realize everything was reversed.
After a fair bit of research it turns out that I found a US Consulate Office document seal embossing stamp. It would have been used to place seals on documents for a foreign consulate office. This one is dated from the 1850s or so for a US Consulate Office that once existed for a few years in Realejo, Nicaragua. I found an example of its use online from a different city office from the 1850s. It was a perfect match. I also reversed the image to give a better idea of what it would have looked like. This is probably the most unique and coolest thing I have ever found thanks to my AT Max.
Douglas's story: I was out with my uncle working a large farm field with my AT Max while he was swinging his AT Pro. A few buttons and bullets and such had been found by us both. A few swings later in what seemed like the middle of nowhere I picked up this super sweet deep signal. I dug pretty deep and found what looked like a small metal hockey puck. To my surprise it had an older style eagle on it and some lettering around the edge. It took me a few minutes to realize everything was reversed.
After a fair bit of research it turns out that I found a US Consulate Office document seal embossing stamp. It would have been used to place seals on documents for a foreign consulate office. This one is dated from the 1850s or so for a US Consulate Office that once existed for a few years in Realejo, Nicaragua. I found an example of its use online from a different city office from the 1850s. It was a perfect match. I also reversed the image to give a better idea of what it would have looked like. This is probably the most unique and coolest thing I have ever found thanks to my AT Max.
Douglas G. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second favorite U.S. find for June 2019 is the 1809 Classic Head Half-Cent, found by Brian S. from Vermont with his AT Pro.
Brian's story: I normally detect alone but was invited by my friend Sam to detect a permission he had acquired. I dug a few targets that were ok but not anything exciting. Started swinging the coil around an old large maple tree trunk on the edge of the property and immediately had a perfect sounding tone that was too good to be true. Six inches or so down the round shape with a greenish patina appeared and I immediately knew I had something special! The AT Pro always comes through!
Brian's story: I normally detect alone but was invited by my friend Sam to detect a permission he had acquired. I dug a few targets that were ok but not anything exciting. Started swinging the coil around an old large maple tree trunk on the edge of the property and immediately had a perfect sounding tone that was too good to be true. Six inches or so down the round shape with a greenish patina appeared and I immediately knew I had something special! The AT Pro always comes through!
Brian S. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
MAY 2019 HAS TWO WINNERS!!!
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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for May 2019 is the Civil War bullet spill, found by Scott M. from Alabama with his AT Pro.
Scott's story: Last week, I went out searching for a new permission because I have been on a several month dry spell and had zero luck. I eventually gave up and decided to go to a permission I had detected a couple of years ago when I first started detecting. Luckily, the woman was home and gave me the green light. My first hole was a solid high 60s signal and to my delight it was my first minie ball in almost a year. I stuck my Pro-Pointer back in the hole to double-check it, and it was still going crazy. I stuck my shovel in and 2 more fell out. After 30 minutes of digging I ended up with 78 out of one hole!
That is more Civil War bullets than I have found in the last 3 years!
Scott M. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Scott's story: Last week, I went out searching for a new permission because I have been on a several month dry spell and had zero luck. I eventually gave up and decided to go to a permission I had detected a couple of years ago when I first started detecting. Luckily, the woman was home and gave me the green light. My first hole was a solid high 60s signal and to my delight it was my first minie ball in almost a year. I stuck my Pro-Pointer back in the hole to double-check it, and it was still going crazy. I stuck my shovel in and 2 more fell out. After 30 minutes of digging I ended up with 78 out of one hole!
That is more Civil War bullets than I have found in the last 3 years!
Scott M. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. favorite find is the 1787 "Club Ray" Fugio cent, found by Gary H. from Vermont.
Gary's story: "I was hunting at an old farmhouse built in 1775 in Southern Vermont. I got an 85 high tone on my AT Max. I dug the signal and out came a 1787 Club Ray Fugio."
Gary's find of the fugio cent, the first official copper penny of the United States, was not his only great find of the day. He adds, "I walked 75 feet away and received another high tone. Dug a 1776 1-Reale with my AT Max within 15 Minutes. The AT Max is an incredible metal detector."
Gary H. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Gary's story: "I was hunting at an old farmhouse built in 1775 in Southern Vermont. I got an 85 high tone on my AT Max. I dug the signal and out came a 1787 Club Ray Fugio."
Gary's find of the fugio cent, the first official copper penny of the United States, was not his only great find of the day. He adds, "I walked 75 feet away and received another high tone. Dug a 1776 1-Reale with my AT Max within 15 Minutes. The AT Max is an incredible metal detector."
Gary H. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
APRIL 2019 HAS TWO WINNERS!!!
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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for April 2019 is the Collapsed Chimney Colonial Copper Spill! Found by Donnie B. from New York with his AT Max.
Donnie's story: Thank you Garrett for providing me with the tools to enjoy one of the most exciting days of metal detecting in my life. My buddy and I were hunting at a colonial cellar hole site in Connecticut that we have been to several times in the past. The site is very old and, unfortunately, very quiet. Still, we like to return to these sites at different times of the year due to changing vegetation and ground conditions.
Since the site is very quiet after years and years of metal detecting I decided to scan the collapsed chimney inside the cellar hole. I did this immediately upon walking up to the site. To my utter amazement, I got a nice loud high tone in the pile of rocks that was once a chimney. I started pulling massive rocks out of the way and underneath was the most beautiful 1723 George I Hibernia Half Pence I have ever found!
But wait, there's more. Scanning again I got another lower tone in among the nails and pulled out a 1672 - 1679 Charles II Farthing! Wow!
But wait, there's more! Moving rocks and scanning I got another tone and, you guessed it, a coin! This one was a 1655 - 1658 Liard De France from the reign of Louis XIV! What an unbelievable find!
Three coins in all came out of the chimney and two were from the 1600's. One must wonder if the colonist who lived there had stuck them in the rocks of the chimney for a "rainy day" fund. Obviously, the coins were forgotten and as the house succumbed to the ravages of time and collapsed they were left in the pile of rocks at the bottom of the cellar. Waiting. Waiting on me and my Garrett AT Max.
Donnie B. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Donnie's story: Thank you Garrett for providing me with the tools to enjoy one of the most exciting days of metal detecting in my life. My buddy and I were hunting at a colonial cellar hole site in Connecticut that we have been to several times in the past. The site is very old and, unfortunately, very quiet. Still, we like to return to these sites at different times of the year due to changing vegetation and ground conditions.
Since the site is very quiet after years and years of metal detecting I decided to scan the collapsed chimney inside the cellar hole. I did this immediately upon walking up to the site. To my utter amazement, I got a nice loud high tone in the pile of rocks that was once a chimney. I started pulling massive rocks out of the way and underneath was the most beautiful 1723 George I Hibernia Half Pence I have ever found!
But wait, there's more. Scanning again I got another lower tone in among the nails and pulled out a 1672 - 1679 Charles II Farthing! Wow!
But wait, there's more! Moving rocks and scanning I got another tone and, you guessed it, a coin! This one was a 1655 - 1658 Liard De France from the reign of Louis XIV! What an unbelievable find!
Three coins in all came out of the chimney and two were from the 1600's. One must wonder if the colonist who lived there had stuck them in the rocks of the chimney for a "rainy day" fund. Obviously, the coins were forgotten and as the house succumbed to the ravages of time and collapsed they were left in the pile of rocks at the bottom of the cellar. Waiting. Waiting on me and my Garrett AT Max.
Donnie B. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. favorite finds for April 2019 are the Family Items Returned! Found by Steven L. from Mississippi with his AT Pro & Pro-Pointer AT.
Steven's story: Over a period of a couple of months, my co-worker and I detected a house permission during our lunch breaks. We started making some pretty good finds. I found some old train luggage tokens with a name on them, some military items, including WW2 US Army Air Corps wings, and I also found my first sterling spoon with an initial monogrammed on it. Taking everything into perspective, we concluded most of the items had all belonged to one family that lived at the house many years ago. We realized the name on the luggage tokens used to be a physician in town, that had moved away years ago. Upon discussing this with another co-worker, originally from the town the Dr. moved to, I found out he had a mutual friend of the Dr.'s family. Long story short, I gave my co-worker all the items pictured, and his friend has returned them to the retired Dr., who shared memories with his family during the return!
Steven L. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Steven's story: Over a period of a couple of months, my co-worker and I detected a house permission during our lunch breaks. We started making some pretty good finds. I found some old train luggage tokens with a name on them, some military items, including WW2 US Army Air Corps wings, and I also found my first sterling spoon with an initial monogrammed on it. Taking everything into perspective, we concluded most of the items had all belonged to one family that lived at the house many years ago. We realized the name on the luggage tokens used to be a physician in town, that had moved away years ago. Upon discussing this with another co-worker, originally from the town the Dr. moved to, I found out he had a mutual friend of the Dr.'s family. Long story short, I gave my co-worker all the items pictured, and his friend has returned them to the retired Dr., who shared memories with his family during the return!
Steven L. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
March 2019 HAS THREE WINNERS!
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WINNER #1
My U.S. Favorite Find for March 2019 is the 14K Gold Ring with 4 Carat Blue Sapphire, found by Chip K. from Florida with his AT Pro.
Chips's story (edited): ONE FOR YOU. ONE FOR ME!
It leads back to my many years in the Cub and Boy Scouts, but the idea of "Do a good deed daily" is an integral part of both my life and my metal detecting activities. My business cards proclaim FREE METAL DETECTING SERVICES. I have over 20 returns. Now the story I'm telling today was about a lost ring. Or two.
I received a call asking me to search a yard for a lost ring. It was a 90 year old house and the bank was about to take it back and time was essential. Now when people ask me to find lost items I explain I do not charge for my services but do ask for permission to hunt the whole property with the understanding that I can keep whatever else I find. So far everybody has agreed it's a fair exchange. Then I also insist on a complete description of what I'm looking for. If it's a ring I want to know what metal it's made of, color, stones, inscriptions or whatever will help me identify it and prove ownership. That proved to be invaluable this time. The ring I was looking for was a simple 14K gold wedding band. On the third trip I found the gold band. I called the owner and informed him I would be dropping his ring off shortly. He was ecstatic.
I decided to quickly scan the rest of the yard and soon I picked up a mid tone that had to be aluminum foil. I was tired and wanted to leave but I turned around and proceeded to dig that wad of foil. But it wasn't foil. It turned out to be a thin ring with a whopper of a stone mounted on it. Fake. Had to be. I have found a number of rings but never one with a gem anywhere close to this one. Plus the "fake diamonds" on one side were missing. I dropped it in my trash pouch.
I headed to the owner's House. He thanked me profusely and offered me money which I refused. I told him about some coins I had found and then I asked if they had lost another ring. They said no but the wife was curious about it so I produced it. I hadn't even punched the dirt from inside the band. They did not recognize it and agreed it probably was fake but congratulated me in case it turned out to be real. I laughed and said goodbye.
At home I informed my wife I had a present for her. She examined it and then punched the sand from the band. She rinsed it in the sink and examined it again. She then said it is stamped 14K and the stone is a blue sapphire!! It needed to be cleaned and sized so we headed to the jewelers. They oohed and ahhed over it proclaiming somebody was sad to have lost it. They said it is a 4 carat emerald cut blue sapphire and is probably at least 60 years old. They are sizing and cleaning it and replacing the diamonds on one side. My wife can't wait to wear it. Happy Mother's Day a bit early!
So a good deed for someone else turned out to also be a good deed for me too.
Chip K. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Chips's story (edited): ONE FOR YOU. ONE FOR ME!
It leads back to my many years in the Cub and Boy Scouts, but the idea of "Do a good deed daily" is an integral part of both my life and my metal detecting activities. My business cards proclaim FREE METAL DETECTING SERVICES. I have over 20 returns. Now the story I'm telling today was about a lost ring. Or two.
I received a call asking me to search a yard for a lost ring. It was a 90 year old house and the bank was about to take it back and time was essential. Now when people ask me to find lost items I explain I do not charge for my services but do ask for permission to hunt the whole property with the understanding that I can keep whatever else I find. So far everybody has agreed it's a fair exchange. Then I also insist on a complete description of what I'm looking for. If it's a ring I want to know what metal it's made of, color, stones, inscriptions or whatever will help me identify it and prove ownership. That proved to be invaluable this time. The ring I was looking for was a simple 14K gold wedding band. On the third trip I found the gold band. I called the owner and informed him I would be dropping his ring off shortly. He was ecstatic.
I decided to quickly scan the rest of the yard and soon I picked up a mid tone that had to be aluminum foil. I was tired and wanted to leave but I turned around and proceeded to dig that wad of foil. But it wasn't foil. It turned out to be a thin ring with a whopper of a stone mounted on it. Fake. Had to be. I have found a number of rings but never one with a gem anywhere close to this one. Plus the "fake diamonds" on one side were missing. I dropped it in my trash pouch.
I headed to the owner's House. He thanked me profusely and offered me money which I refused. I told him about some coins I had found and then I asked if they had lost another ring. They said no but the wife was curious about it so I produced it. I hadn't even punched the dirt from inside the band. They did not recognize it and agreed it probably was fake but congratulated me in case it turned out to be real. I laughed and said goodbye.
At home I informed my wife I had a present for her. She examined it and then punched the sand from the band. She rinsed it in the sink and examined it again. She then said it is stamped 14K and the stone is a blue sapphire!! It needed to be cleaned and sized so we headed to the jewelers. They oohed and ahhed over it proclaiming somebody was sad to have lost it. They said it is a 4 carat emerald cut blue sapphire and is probably at least 60 years old. They are sizing and cleaning it and replacing the diamonds on one side. My wife can't wait to wear it. Happy Mother's Day a bit early!
So a good deed for someone else turned out to also be a good deed for me too.
Chip K. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. Favorite Find is the Cartridge Box Belt Plate, bearing the State Seal of Ohio, found by Mark O. from West Virginia with his AT MAX.
Mark's story: On February 24th, 2019 in Falling Waters WV, I found the find of a lifetime with my Garrett AT MAX metal detector. While metal detecting in an rocky open field I found this rare Civil War Cartridge box belt plate with the Ohio State Seal seven inches in the ground between 2 rocks. It was amazing how the detector picked it up between those rocks. I have found numerous items, but this one tops them all. I'm a very proud owner of several Garrett detectors, but the AT MAX is now my favorite.
Mark O. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Mark's story: On February 24th, 2019 in Falling Waters WV, I found the find of a lifetime with my Garrett AT MAX metal detector. While metal detecting in an rocky open field I found this rare Civil War Cartridge box belt plate with the Ohio State Seal seven inches in the ground between 2 rocks. It was amazing how the detector picked it up between those rocks. I have found numerous items, but this one tops them all. I'm a very proud owner of several Garrett detectors, but the AT MAX is now my favorite.
Mark O. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #3
My third U.S. favorite find for March 2019 is the 1867s $10 Gold Piece, found by Robert W. from Arizona with his AT Pro.
Robert's story: Three months ago I was given permission to metal detect an excavation site in Yuma, AZ. After the workers were done, I would search the newly dug soil and holes which, during this time span, have yielded quite a few coins, rings, buttons, bottles, and more. I had talked with the owner of the property the day before, and knew they would be digging a new hole the next day. That next day, I arrived to the lot to see a massive hole dug. I immediately got down to business and broke out my Garrett AT Pro. About an hour into my search, I had yet to hear a good signal. The owner of the property and I continued to walk around the hole and swing my coil. I began to check a freshly dug pile of dirt from the hole, when suddenly there I heard that magical, solid sound of something good screaming from my headphones, and when I uncovered it, we both couldn't believe our eyes. The second I had plucked it from the soil the sheen of gold was clear as day, and I realized immediately that I had found an 1867s $10 gold piece. I was shaking and excited so bad that I had to quit for the day and go home. I have been lucky in my 20 plus years to discover many amazing finds, but none can compare to this one!
Robert W. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Robert's story: Three months ago I was given permission to metal detect an excavation site in Yuma, AZ. After the workers were done, I would search the newly dug soil and holes which, during this time span, have yielded quite a few coins, rings, buttons, bottles, and more. I had talked with the owner of the property the day before, and knew they would be digging a new hole the next day. That next day, I arrived to the lot to see a massive hole dug. I immediately got down to business and broke out my Garrett AT Pro. About an hour into my search, I had yet to hear a good signal. The owner of the property and I continued to walk around the hole and swing my coil. I began to check a freshly dug pile of dirt from the hole, when suddenly there I heard that magical, solid sound of something good screaming from my headphones, and when I uncovered it, we both couldn't believe our eyes. The second I had plucked it from the soil the sheen of gold was clear as day, and I realized immediately that I had found an 1867s $10 gold piece. I was shaking and excited so bad that I had to quit for the day and go home. I have been lucky in my 20 plus years to discover many amazing finds, but none can compare to this one!
Robert W. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
FEBRUARY 2019 has FOUR WINNERS!
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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for February 2019 is the US Box Plate, found by Emily C. from Georgia with her AT Max.
Story: Emily C., aka "Little Dirt Digger," was detecting in the woods near Adairsville, Georgia when she found her first US Box Plate. The US Box Plate was approximately 9 inches deep. This is seven-year-old Emily's first US Box Plate. Emily made the find on February 3rd 2019 while using her Garrett AT Max.
Emily C. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Story: Emily C., aka "Little Dirt Digger," was detecting in the woods near Adairsville, Georgia when she found her first US Box Plate. The US Box Plate was approximately 9 inches deep. This is seven-year-old Emily's first US Box Plate. Emily made the find on February 3rd 2019 while using her Garrett AT Max.
Emily C. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. favorite find for February 2019 is the 1851 Colt Navy Revolver, found by Jody H. from Texas with his AT Max.
Jody's story: I was detecting on a site with my AT Max when I got a solid hit. I pinpointed the target and dug a plug but did not initially find it. As I started to enlarge the hole, I saw what appeared to be a piece of metal sticking up. Expecting to find a small pipe, I wiggled the item. As I tried to get the item to break loose from the soil, I realized it was fairly deep. All of a sudden I realized I had the barrel of a pistol in my hand but the barrel was unique; it was octagon in shape. I carefully brought the pistol to the surface and it was the entire weapon minus the wooden handle. I went home and got all the mud off the pistol to reveal a Confederate 1851 Colt Navy Cap & Ball Revolver. I was able to get the serial number and when I researched it, the pistol was manufactured between 1863 and 1864; definitely a piece of Civil War history.
Jody H. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Jody's story: I was detecting on a site with my AT Max when I got a solid hit. I pinpointed the target and dug a plug but did not initially find it. As I started to enlarge the hole, I saw what appeared to be a piece of metal sticking up. Expecting to find a small pipe, I wiggled the item. As I tried to get the item to break loose from the soil, I realized it was fairly deep. All of a sudden I realized I had the barrel of a pistol in my hand but the barrel was unique; it was octagon in shape. I carefully brought the pistol to the surface and it was the entire weapon minus the wooden handle. I went home and got all the mud off the pistol to reveal a Confederate 1851 Colt Navy Cap & Ball Revolver. I was able to get the serial number and when I researched it, the pistol was manufactured between 1863 and 1864; definitely a piece of Civil War history.
Jody H. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #3
My third U.S. favorite find for February 2019 is the Bent-Up Gold Coin found by Brandon D., and the 1861 $2.5 Gold Coin found by his father, both from Virginia with their AT Pro's.
Brandon's story: I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the bent gold coin in my plug. I'm only 15 and figured if there was any chance I would find a gold coin it would be somewhere in the far future. Sure enough I could make out the reeded edge and just about had a heart attack. My dad was with me and I knew I wanted him to find one also. On my way back to the car to get a drink, he starts walking toward me with a smile on his face and gold in his hands. He found a beautiful 1861 $2.5 gold coin just as mine is. I'm extremely happy and will probably never have a better hunt in my life. Mine is bent-up but it doesn't matter to me, I'm just excited to extract such a rare piece of history no matter what condition. I hope you all enjoyed, and get to find your gold coin someday as well!
Brandon D. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Brandon's story: I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the bent gold coin in my plug. I'm only 15 and figured if there was any chance I would find a gold coin it would be somewhere in the far future. Sure enough I could make out the reeded edge and just about had a heart attack. My dad was with me and I knew I wanted him to find one also. On my way back to the car to get a drink, he starts walking toward me with a smile on his face and gold in his hands. He found a beautiful 1861 $2.5 gold coin just as mine is. I'm extremely happy and will probably never have a better hunt in my life. Mine is bent-up but it doesn't matter to me, I'm just excited to extract such a rare piece of history no matter what condition. I hope you all enjoyed, and get to find your gold coin someday as well!
Brandon D. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #4
My fourth U.S. favorite find for February 2019 is the Confederate States Waist Buckle, found by Eric R. from Virginia with his AT Max.
Eric's story: After four hours detecting a relatively new and thus far relic-sparse permission, I was rewarded with a perfectly intact New York coat button. Although I had reawakened a few 3-ringer & Sharps mini balls and round balls in past visits, I hadn't found any solid indications of troop presence. The button had now provided that proof! Happy with my NY soldier button capping the day's finds, I resolved to head home for the day on a positive note. But...while gathering my gear, my eyes scanned the woods and spied a small flat piece of land about 30 yards away, abutting a former creek bottom. I thought to myself, "if I was a civil war troop, I'd surely use that area to rest or place a tent!". So with backpack and gear in-tow, I decided to make one final loop through that plateau area before heading back to the truck.
A couple promising signals turned out to be modern bullet jackets and slugs. And then my AT Max pinged a solid, clean, sharp, high pitch signal. The type of signal that unleashes the adrenaline of every detectorist. A few sweeps from different angles confirmed a solid 85 ID, and deep. I sunk my trusty Piranha relic extractor into the loamy Virginia forest floor, dug a large plug, and then re-swept the area. Just what I was hoping, the target was still deep in the hole...surely an older relic, and still booming an 85 ID. I scooped out soil with my hand from about 10-11 inches down, and caught a glimpse of beautiful green patina in the ridge of soil on the edge of the hole. It was unmistakable. Having long since committed the image of this bucket list relic to memory -- the square belt-keeper end of a Confederate States waist buckle. With my heart pounding on high octane, I gently brushed off the soil and revealed the find of my detecting lifetime, a perfect CS buckle tongue! What a way to end the day!
Eric R. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Eric's story: After four hours detecting a relatively new and thus far relic-sparse permission, I was rewarded with a perfectly intact New York coat button. Although I had reawakened a few 3-ringer & Sharps mini balls and round balls in past visits, I hadn't found any solid indications of troop presence. The button had now provided that proof! Happy with my NY soldier button capping the day's finds, I resolved to head home for the day on a positive note. But...while gathering my gear, my eyes scanned the woods and spied a small flat piece of land about 30 yards away, abutting a former creek bottom. I thought to myself, "if I was a civil war troop, I'd surely use that area to rest or place a tent!". So with backpack and gear in-tow, I decided to make one final loop through that plateau area before heading back to the truck.
A couple promising signals turned out to be modern bullet jackets and slugs. And then my AT Max pinged a solid, clean, sharp, high pitch signal. The type of signal that unleashes the adrenaline of every detectorist. A few sweeps from different angles confirmed a solid 85 ID, and deep. I sunk my trusty Piranha relic extractor into the loamy Virginia forest floor, dug a large plug, and then re-swept the area. Just what I was hoping, the target was still deep in the hole...surely an older relic, and still booming an 85 ID. I scooped out soil with my hand from about 10-11 inches down, and caught a glimpse of beautiful green patina in the ridge of soil on the edge of the hole. It was unmistakable. Having long since committed the image of this bucket list relic to memory -- the square belt-keeper end of a Confederate States waist buckle. With my heart pounding on high octane, I gently brushed off the soil and revealed the find of my detecting lifetime, a perfect CS buckle tongue! What a way to end the day!
Eric R. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
JANUARY 2019 HAS THREE WINNERS!!!
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WINNER #1
My favorite U.S. favorite find for January 2019 is the 1880 5 Dollar Gold Piece, found by James W. from Oklahoma with his AT Max.
James's story: After hours in the field uncovering old headstamps, .45/70 cartridges and different odds and ends, we were getting ready to call it a day as the sun was getting ready to set. I continued to search with what little time I had left. I came across a solid 65 thinking it was another headstamp. I rushed in to retrieve the target. To my disbelief it wasn't a headstamp but something gold! An 1880 5 dollar gold piece! Huge thanks to the Garrett family for their outstanding customer service and outstanding machines!
James W. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
James's story: After hours in the field uncovering old headstamps, .45/70 cartridges and different odds and ends, we were getting ready to call it a day as the sun was getting ready to set. I continued to search with what little time I had left. I came across a solid 65 thinking it was another headstamp. I rushed in to retrieve the target. To my disbelief it wasn't a headstamp but something gold! An 1880 5 dollar gold piece! Huge thanks to the Garrett family for their outstanding customer service and outstanding machines!
James W. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. favorite find for January 2019 is the Confederate Georgia State Seal Officers Buckle, found by Scott H. from Georgia with his AT Pro.
Scott's story: While out hunting today with a brand new Diggin buddy we were hunting a civil war location. Unbelievable, but this was my first target. I was using the AT Pro with the 5x8 coil. It rang up a very clean 86 and was only 3-4 inches down.
Scott H. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Scott's story: While out hunting today with a brand new Diggin buddy we were hunting a civil war location. Unbelievable, but this was my first target. I was using the AT Pro with the 5x8 coil. It rang up a very clean 86 and was only 3-4 inches down.
Scott H. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #3
My third U.S. favorite find for January 2019 is the 1994 American Legion Diamond Jubilee One Ounce Silver Round, found by John B. from Indiana with his AT Pro.
John's story: The first day of 2019 found me searching a community park that was built in 1963. I had searched this park last year, but didn't realize there were soccer fields on the other side of it. Once I spied the soccer fields I parked near them and began my search to find gold or silver jewelry. I'm always attracted to higher ground and this was no exception. I changed direction to my right and started swinging for the high ground eventually making my way to the top of it. Once I started finding chain link fence pieces at the top of the berm I moved away from the fence and onto the slope and began finding clad coinage. I finally got to the point where I made a left turn towards the volleyball court and then it happened.
I was using an AT Pro and detected a target close to the surface with a high tone that registered a 98-99 on the visual ID. I was thinking that I had found a large piece of chain link fencing that surrounded the swimming pool area as I knelt to probe the ground for the target. I located the target easily with the probe not more than a half-inch deep and pried the object upward into a vertical position revealing what I thought was a thick rimmed coin.
Upon retrieving the object I examined it and it looked exactly like a silver one ounce round, however there was nothing indicating on the object that it was silver. I kept asking myself who would bring a silver one ounce round to a community park and what was it doing on the side of a grassy berm that surrounded a swimming pool?
I researched the object further and it is a 1994 American Legion Diamond Jubilee one ounce silver round. I posted pictures of it on several metal detecting Facebook pages and a couple of folks opined that they thought it was used for heads or tails coin tosses at sporting events, or it was carried as a good luck charm. As I researched the American Legion, I did find several websites with American Legion sports tournament schedules nationwide. I feel lucky to have found silver on the first day of the New Year.
John B. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
John's story: The first day of 2019 found me searching a community park that was built in 1963. I had searched this park last year, but didn't realize there were soccer fields on the other side of it. Once I spied the soccer fields I parked near them and began my search to find gold or silver jewelry. I'm always attracted to higher ground and this was no exception. I changed direction to my right and started swinging for the high ground eventually making my way to the top of it. Once I started finding chain link fence pieces at the top of the berm I moved away from the fence and onto the slope and began finding clad coinage. I finally got to the point where I made a left turn towards the volleyball court and then it happened.
I was using an AT Pro and detected a target close to the surface with a high tone that registered a 98-99 on the visual ID. I was thinking that I had found a large piece of chain link fencing that surrounded the swimming pool area as I knelt to probe the ground for the target. I located the target easily with the probe not more than a half-inch deep and pried the object upward into a vertical position revealing what I thought was a thick rimmed coin.
Upon retrieving the object I examined it and it looked exactly like a silver one ounce round, however there was nothing indicating on the object that it was silver. I kept asking myself who would bring a silver one ounce round to a community park and what was it doing on the side of a grassy berm that surrounded a swimming pool?
I researched the object further and it is a 1994 American Legion Diamond Jubilee one ounce silver round. I posted pictures of it on several metal detecting Facebook pages and a couple of folks opined that they thought it was used for heads or tails coin tosses at sporting events, or it was carried as a good luck charm. As I researched the American Legion, I did find several websites with American Legion sports tournament schedules nationwide. I feel lucky to have found silver on the first day of the New Year.
John B. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
