Favorite Finds - U.S.

SEPTEMBER 2020 WINNER!!!

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WINNER #1
My US Favorite Find for September 2020 is the 14k Gold/Diamond Ring, discovered by Shawn J. from Nevada with his Apex.

Shawn’s success story: I decided to hit a local park before work. I’ve been itching to get out with my new Apex, but the weather has been extremely hot here lately. With some cloud cover this morning, I figured I’d have at least an hour before temperatures rise. Within that time, I had dug up a number of clad coins and pull tabs. I was getting a signal around 55 on a target and figured it was just another pull tab. As I started digging, I saw the side of the ring… again it looked like a pull tab until more was exposed. The yellow gold color glistened in the sun and I knew I had something good! Upon pulling it out, I saw the face covered in diamonds. My heart was racing! Afraid it might be costume jewelry, I rushed home to clean it and test the gold/diamonds. It’s 14k yellow gold with 0.15 CTW diamonds. I’m impressed with the Apex and look forward to making more finds like this one!

Shawn J. WINS an ACE Apex Metal Detector!!! Congratulations!
Next month Vaughan will give away an ACE Apex™ Metal Detector! You could be the next winner! Submit your Story.

AUGUST 2020 WINNER!!!

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WINNER #1
My United States Favorite Find for August 2020 is the set of 6 Civil War Wisconsin State Seal Buttons, found by Stefan W. from West Virginia with his AT Pro.

Stefan’s story: This was a great day! I was rather new to metal detecting about 6 months in. On my new permission, I was digging a lot of bullets in the front yard. There was a field that the landowner was renting out for livestock and didn’t want me to hunt in fear of the cattle breaking a leg. So I looked at this field every time I went digging and always said to myself, “Man I want to go over there so bad!" My intuition and persistence paid off, and finally I was able to get the chance.

I had lots of signals in a 20' x 20' area. Altogether I dug a bunch of bullets there, then started pulling out general service buttons. Then one of these Wisconsin buttons came out, then another, then another totaling six of them! I was so excited. This really was a find of a lifetime for me.

Big thanks to my friend that got me in this hobby. I remember telling him “I ain't going to find anything man” and was really not expecting to find anything like this! Big thanks to the people that let me on their land to dig. You just never know what the day will bring. Stay positive, do some research, and get digging. Big thanks to Garrett as well for making great metal detectors. I’ve tried other machines but I always go back to this one!!

Stefan W. WINS an ACE Apex Metal Detector. Congratulations!!!!
Next month Vaughan will give away an ACE Apex Metal Detector! You could be the next winner. Submit your story.

JULY 2020 WINNER!!!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for July 2020 is the 1786 New Jersey Copper Maris 10 1/2-C, found by Chad D. From Massachusetts, with his AT Pro.

Chad’s story: I was walking with my brother back to my truck after a long day of metal detecting at a local park. We were both using Garrett AT Pro's. As luck would have it I got a penny signal (an 80 on my AT Pro). The coin was about 6 inches deep on a well traveled path/walking trail that has been detected for years. When I dug it I thought it was a large cent. My brother looked at it and said “Do you know what this is?” Of course I said “a large cent?” Then he told me it was a New Jersey copper. I had never heard of one before that day. It wasn't til later after research done by my brother and a few others that we discovered it's only the second known of this variety! It is a Rarity 8 and was just verified by PCGS.

The Maris 10 1/2-C is a variety. The New Jersey coppers are known for their variations. This specific coin is a Maris 10 1/2-C fur head. This refers to the particular die that it was originally struck from. I believe its original value was a penny.

Chad D. WINS an ACE 300 Metal Detector!!! Congratulations!
Next month Vaughan will give away an ACE 300 Metal Detector! You could be the next winner! Submit your story!

JUNE 2020 HAS TWO WINNERS!!!

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WINNER #1
My United States favorite find for June 2020 is the Personalized Gold Pocket Watch Gift, found by Tony W. from Ohio, with his AT Pro.

Tony's story: Hello. My stepson gave me a used AT Pro for Father’s Day. First hole dug in our yard was a 6 coin spill containing 3 Jefferson nickels, 1 Lincoln Memorial cent, 1 Wheat cent and 1 silver Roosevelt dime 1962. As I continued to learn this machine I was fortunate enough to detect a Standing Liberty quarter at 9 inch depth in my yard. So exciting!

Fast forward to June 28. I gained permission to hunt an old abandoned farm. Wasn’t finding much; a dime, several Lincoln Memorial cents, and LOTS of toy cars. Was getting ready to leave and the detector went crazy hitting 99 at 6 inch depth. I told my daughter this has to be a silver dollar. Boy was I wrong. Pulled the plug out and staring back at me was a gold pocket watch!!! I have never found a piece of gold with a metal detector. I got the face opened to see the manufacturer, Hampden Watch Co.

Description: Hampden Watch Company, gold pocket watch made in 1904, presented in 1915 to Louis Wolfram.

We took it to a jeweler to have them open the back. Inside was the description “Louis Wolfram from Mother June 30, 1915“. Imagine our surprise to realize we were 1 day away from the presentation day 105 years ago! This find will be my most memorable of all time. I do not think anything could top this one. Thank you very much!!!
Tony

Tony W. WINS a Garrett ACE® 300!
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WINNER #2
My second US favorite find for June 2020 is the 1812 NY Militia Belt Plate, found by Thoren P. from Maine, with his AT Max.

Thoren's story: It was Father's Day in downeast Maine, beautiful weather. I took advantage of the evening after a family bbq and decided to swing my AT Max across some old soil. First signal was a 1843 large cent, after that I went into a drought for a couple hours. I decided to push forward further into the field and try another piece of virgin bottom.

Little did I know I was about to dig a find of a lifetime! I swung across a crisp, clean, very repeatable 84 signal, showing 4” deep. I dug my plug with a faint signal on the Carrot (Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk), so I progressed deeper and finally found the edge of what I thought was to be a piece of old brass sheathing. However with the wipe of my finger I uncovered what looked to be a wing, sure enough it was a beautiful eagle perched up on a globe with 17 stars overhead! I proceeded to do research that evening and found that there was only one more dug like it, and it belonged to a man of the NY militia. Unreal ecstatic about this find, and is going to be a challenge to top it!

Thoren P. WINS a Garrett ACE® 300!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Garrett ACE® 300! You could be the next winner! Submit your story.

MAY 2020 WINNER!!!

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WINNER #1
My United States favorite find for May 2020 is the Gold Ring with 70 Diamonds, found by Nicholas P. from New York with his Ace 300.

Nick’s story: It was a typical Saturday morning. I start with a cup of coffee and load up my car with my detector. As I’m loading, it starts raining and I’m contemplating about staying home but something told me to still go out. I make my way to the field and AS SOON as I walk back I’m 30 foot away from a coyote staring at me. Luckily after about a 5 second stare down that seemed like it last eternity the coyote ran off into the woods. Tempted to go home but that little voice in my head was telling me to stay.

After about 10 minutes of swinging and on my SECOND hole of the day there it was. A gold diamond ring with 70 diamonds pops out of the plug and my jaw fell to the ground! I went straight home and fired up my diamond selector II and when the first diamond tested real, reality really started to sink in. I went through all 70 diamonds and they’re all real! Needless to say I’m glad I listened to those voices in my head that day!

Nicholas P. WINS an ACE 300 Metal Detector! CONGRATULATIONS!!
Next month Vaughan will give away an ACE 300! You could be the next winner!

APRIL 2020 WINNER!!!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for April 2020 is the Historical Personal Decorative Item, found by Curtis H. from Ohio with his AT Pro.

Curtis’s story: I haven’t been able to metal detect in a couple of years but with the social distancing going on for the Coronavirus I finally had some time and had definitely put in the hours of research. I fired up my AT Pro and headed out to a field. It was 58 degrees and it felt great compared to the recent weather here in Ohio.

The field site that I had chosen was occupied on an 1853 map but was gone by the 1872 map so I had high hopes for the location, but never could have imagined that I would dig something like this! I have showed it to several people and all have come to the consensus that it is either early settler or a Native American personal decorative item. It is by far the most significant item I have ever found! It was the best day ever until I realized that I had left my Pro-Pointer in the field and it was gone when I went back the next day.

Curtis H. WINS an ACE 300 metal detector!!!
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Next month Vaughan will give away an ACE 300 or ACE 300i. You could be the next winner!

MARCH 2020 WINNER!

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WINNER #1

My U.S. favorite find for March 2020 is the Sons of Liberty Cap Button, found by Michaela O. from New Hampshire with his Ace 200.

Michaela says: Hey everyone at Garrett! Recently I purchased another brand metal detector off Facebook. I hadn't been metal detecting before this year. It was an okay metal detector but I wanted to experience more. So I decided to purchase one of your Garrett Ace 200s. I have been able to find so many great treasures from my hometown. My favorite find was just in these last 2 weeks. It was a Liberty Cap button worn by a member of the Sons of Liberty. A secret organization.

The Liberty Cap button is dated between 1775-1815. I found this button metal detecting an area I had already hit pretty hard. Finding all sorts of things from the 1700s. It came up at as a 58 on my Ace 200 and it was about 2-4 inches deep. At first I did not know what I had, so I had to do my research and I was beyond excited when I learned its origin. Thanks for allowing me to enter in your contest.

Sincerely, Michaela

Michaela O. WINS an ACE 300 Metal Detector!

Next month Vaughan will give away an ACE 300 Metal Detector! You could be the next winner!

February has THREE WINNERS!!!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for February 2020 is the 71st Regiment of Foot Button (from Fraser's Highlanders), found by Craig T. from New Jersey with his AT Max.

Craig’s success story: My friends and I were detecting private property with permission in South Carolina. It had been extremely hard to find anything on the 1000 plus acres of property. There hadn't been any battles or encampments on the property. All we knew was it had been used during Colonial, Revolutionary and Civil War. We were there for only a weekend so time was not on our side. Hardly anything was found on the first day, small things like a few flat buttons, a trigger guard, etc. The second day started just as the first day had, very few signals and very far between. Then late in the morning, my friend called me and said to come check out this area of the woods. He was finding flat buttons. I figured I wasn't finding anything staying where I was so I went over to where he was.

I was only there a few minutes when I got this great signal on my AT Max. I dug it up and saw this button but had no idea what it was. At first I thought I had a colonial button. I saw another of my friends and asked him to come over and look at it. He looked at it and knew what it was and said he's never seen one come out of the ground in such great condition. It was a 71st Regiment of Foot Button (from Fraser's Highlanders). There were 2 Battalions. Later I started showing it off and everyone said it was a bucket list item.

I want to thank you Garrett for building such an awesome machine. My friends use another brand and are always telling me to get one. Now they know what I know, that my AT Max can run against any detector on the market. You just have to know your machine and trust it, which I do.

Craig T. WINS an ACE 300 Metal Detector!
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. favorite find for February 2020 is the 2 Reale Coin, 1754, found by Emi E. from Indiana with his Ace 200.

Emi’s success story: My family was on a trip to Florida so I decided to bring my trusty Ace. I immediately started swinging on the beach. After about 30 minutes, the Ace screamed an 85-86 at 6 inches, right by the water’s edge. I scooped out sand, happily expecting a silver quarter, but the edge I saw was very thin. When I pulled it out, my mind flooded with memories of my hometown in Spain, which I had recently left to come to the US. Tears came to my eyes as I stared at the 1754 Spain Seville 2 Reales coin I had just dug up. Thank you Garrett, from the bottom of my heart for reuniting me with my home.

Emi E. WINS an ACE 300 Metal Detector!
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WINNER #3
My third U.S. favorite find for February 2020 is the 1852 $10 Gold Piece, found by Kevin B. from California with his AT Max.

Kevin’s success story: I have bought a new AT Max metal detector for my daughter's birthday for us to go metal detecting together. After trying it out in the front lawn and finding a hand full of coins, I was so impressed with the performance and wireless technology that I liked it so much and immediately got one for myself. I use it every weekend, tearing up my wife's lawn. I have found many items with this detector including old and modern coins, gold rush belt buckles, and other treasures.

However, my best find was when my brother and I were metal detecting last week in gold country. After hiking for miles and not finding much, I heard a good ping and starting digging. I had pulled from the ground a 1852 Wass Molitor and Co. 10 dollar gold piece that was at a depth of 8 inches. I was so excited that I could not control myself. After sharing my discovery with my neighbor, he ran out and bought an AT Max for himself, and I am getting a new AT Gold for my birthday, and am so excited. Thank you Garrett.

Kevin B. WINS an ACE 300 Metal Detector!
Next month Vaughan will give away an ACE 300 or ACE 300i! You could be the next winner!

JANUARY 2020 HAS TWO WINNERS!!!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for January 2020 is the 1700's Gold Wax Seal Signet Ring, found by Louis G. from Massachusetts with his AT Pro.

Louis’s success story: So to start detecting in January in Mass can be a cold one. However on this fine festive Saturday it was a crazy 65 degrees. A few other detectorists and myself went to a 1700's permission I had gotten last summer. We had been there a handful of times and every time we left with many colonial items. We arrived nice and early as we knew it was gonna be such nice weather. Got out there and started swinging. I was using my all powerful and super star AT PRO that I purchased last spring after 7 yrs or so of using an Ace 250 & 400. Everyone was pulling colonial coppers, and relics out of the ground. After about six hours of swinging and the day winding down I was in an area we all definitely went through either that day or in the past.

I got a nice 57 signal and said “c'mon gold" and dug up a pull tab. After you find gold every 50's signal you will always say “c'mon gold". LoL. About five feet away I got another 56/57 signal. Dug down 6 inches or so and low and behold what came out but the shine of GOLD!!!! I was so excited I called over a couple people. One thought I was playing a trick on him. They were both blown away as I was. After removing dirt what lay in my hand was a 1700's Wax Seal Signet Ring. The other person that came over said he was just in that area not that long before I was and must have missed it. I was thrilled beyond belief as to what I had found later on that evening when I posted it on social media and some others chimed in with more information. To me, finding colonial gold itself is a find of a lifetime, but for it to be a lost personal item that has a story to be told, that makes it all the more incredible. Research on it will be ongoing until all possible avenues are looked into.
Louis G. WINS a ACE 300 Metal Detector
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. favorite find for January 2020 is the Warrant Officers Lapel Pin, found by Rick W. from Georgia with his AT Max.

Rick’s success story (edited): One Saturday morning the weather was bad but I wanted to go metal detecting. I recently had some luck working curb strips in and older part of town. I loaded up my gear and headed into town. As I arrived at the location it began to rain. At this point I was thinking about heading back home but then I thought wait I have an ATMax. It's water proof. Certainly a little rain won't hurt me. So I began working the side walk strip. I set up my AT Max on zero mode with zero descrim. I like to hear everything because of the fact that this is a very old part of town and I knew that the sidewalk was very old as well as it had not been updated or replaced. After ground balancing my Garrett 5x8 coil I began slowly moving forward sweeping the coil right to left and back again. Lots of iron signals could be heard and I felt like I was in a good spot as I worked my way up the street. I found several pennies and was ok with that as I was taken back to my childhood playing out in the rain like kids do.

I looked around at my whereabouts as sometimes I kind of forget exactly where I'm at. I see a for sale sign in the yard of the house I am standing in front of. So I called the realtor and introduced myself and explained to her what I was doing and asked would it be ok if I detected the yard. She said that it would be fine, so after thanking her I stepped into the yard and began methodically working my way up and down the yard. I began digging penny after penny as the wind picked up and light rain started. I hit a screaming signal. It was an old gold plated pocket watch. As I'm cleaning it up I'm thinking could my day get any better?

As I slowly worked my way through the yard I was greeted by another mid to high tone kind of faint but solid. As I removed the plug I began to see what looked like gold. Immediately my hands began to shake as I slowly unearthed it from its years of slumber into the light of day. I could see the eagle and his wings. It was a gold plated Warrant Officer Badge from WWll. I had never seen anything so shiny and beautiful in my life as I sprayed some water on it. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs as I have not had a day this good in what seemed like forever. My excitement was cut short by the emergency alert system as we were under a severe weather storm warning.

This is what I found out about the piece. It is a warrant officers lapel pin that was used from 1920 to 2004. It is 24 carrot gold plated brass but was unable to date it. Judging by the depth and age of all the items that I found I would place it around the 1940’s. There was a Air Force base east of the location that housed B52 bombers during WW2. Hundreds of soldiers moved in and out of the area. If I can find who owned the property before it got zoned commercial I would love to return it to any surviving family member that I can find. To me it is a piece of American history and a reminder of the generation that came together to rebuild America after a War far from home and family.

Rick W. has generously donated his Ace 300 to the kid’s hunt during the upcoming CG Memorial Hunt 4! Thank you Rick for your generosity!
Next month Vaughan will give away an ACE 300 or 300i! You could be the next winner!

December has THREE WINNERS!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for December 2019 is the Diamond Ring Return by Scott C. from New York with his AT Max.

Scott’s story: Garrett Success Story. I was detecting in a local swimming area where a lot of boats anchor. As I was going along, a boat arrived and some kids jumped off into the water and were splashing around. A guy on the boat started teasing me about finding big treasure. I finally moved on and they left soon after. About 20 minutes later, they came back.

I was getting ready to leave when the guy that had been teasing me earlier started yelling to me, calling me "metal man". I came over to the boat and he asked if I could find a ring. I asked if he knew where he lost it and he said about where the boat currently was. I started looking around for it. He got in the water and kept following me around. After about 10 minutes, the other two guys on the boat started insisting that they had to go. I gave them my cell number and told them to send me a text and I'd get in touch if I found it.

Just as he started to wade back to the boat, I got a screaming signal and was sure it had to be the ring. It took two scoops to get it up, but it was his ring. I've never seen a ring so large (other than the 1953 World Series ring I found for the widow of the owner about 10 years ago). It was huge, heavy and had all these diamonds on it. I handed it to him and I thought he was going to cry. He thanked me over and over and sent a long text about how much he appreciated my finding it for him. I'm sure he'll never tease another person with a metal detector again!
Scott 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 December 2019 is the Sterling Silver Friendship Ring, found by Guy M. from Ohio with his AT Max.

Guy’s story: I was using my Garrett AT Max at a park that been hunted out and I have not found much with other brands there until I used My AT Max. I got a very loud Signal at 6" deep reading Quarter.

So I dug down did not find it quick, until a flash of heavy silver ring pop up form the dark deep dirt. It was a very large sterling silver friendship ring. Thank you Garrett family. Many family members want to buy and try their luck now..

Ps. I have notice Garrett machines ground balance very well.
Guy 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 December 2019 is the Civil War Era Complete Spur, found by Wil M. from Alabama with his Ace 150.

Wil’s story: Found in Alabama where Wilson’s raid took place in 1865. Largest cavalry force ever assembled in the Western Hemisphere. All found within 30 yards of each other: Civil War era complete spur, General Service Cuff button, Cavalry cuff button, and a Three ring Bullet.
Wil M. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Submit your story! You could be the next winner!