Favorite Finds - U.S.

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!
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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!
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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!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit! You could be the next winner!

DECEMBER 2018 HAS THREE WINNERS!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for December 2018 is the 64 Coins Cache, found by Terry C. from Indiana with his AT Pro.

Terry's story: I use the AT Pro all the time and love it. I got the small coil and it's amazing and much lighter to use. In a wooden area, moving up into a tree line behind a old house I got a hit in the 90's. Coming out of one hole is photos of the coins! I was so excited, I only took one photo to send to my wife at the time of the find. I was lucky to even think to take that one.

There were a total of 64 coins in that hole with the best a ten dollar gold Eagle. But I love those half-dollars. In the hole were 52 Morgan dollars, 10 half-dollars, an 8 Reale, and a ten dollar gold Eagle. I was shaking like a leaf for hours after recovering all the coins. I will never be able to top this! Finding just one of these coins is a great find but all these at once! Never in my wildest dreams did I think there would be this much in one hole. It was an amazing cache!

Terry 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 December 2018 is the 1841 William Henry Harrison presidential token (gold plated), found by Jim B. from Pennsylvania with his AT Gold.

Jim's story: The AT GOLD is my go to for cellar holes. I find it a hard machine to beat at iron filled Colonial Era cellar holes. On one of my recent trips I recovered this 1841 William Henry Harrison presidential token.

Jim B. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #3
My third favorite find for December 2018 is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Campaign Pin, 1864, found by Robert S. from New York with his AT Max.

Robert's story: It was a cold Fall morning in the old dormant crop field I have been hunting for some time. A variety of old coins, colonial buttons and even modern discards where all found here in the past, but nothing like this…

The AT-MAX ground balanced at 90 out of 99 which is quite highly iron-mineralized soil. My high-res iron reject was set for 30 with no higher conductive discrimination used, sensitivity at maximum. Using "Iron Audio" ON, the signal came in with a disturbed audio character with visual ID alternating from the high 30's to around 55. I thought possibly another pull-tab near a square nail like in previous hunts. Pinpointed and several more inches of dirt removed beyond the 7" spade plug depth revealed what looked liked another familiar colonial flat button. Turning it over I saw lettering I couldn't read at first and an odd rusty recess in the center. It was overall very lightweight and oxidized. After blowing off some dirt from the recessed side I then read, "For President 1864". I knew I found something very rare which I had never seen before in my 50 years metal detecting. It was a campaign pin from 1864 that once held a ferrotype (image) of Abraham Lincoln! The image emulsion was long gone and so was the iron pin attached to the back, but careful photo research proved this type and style of pin only carried the image labeled "A. Lincoln".

Some advice… Never dismiss inconsistent visual and audio ID indications for the same target. I'm extremely impressed with the AT Max's depth of detection and ability to respond to two different metals in the same context. For me this is one of the most significant historical finds I've ever made. Fortunately I was able to recover this pin before nature completely reclaimed it.

Robert S. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit! You could be the next winner!

NOVEMBER 2018 HAS FOUR WINNERS!!!

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WINNER #1
My favorite U.S. find for November 2018 is the Type 1 One Dollar Gold Coin (1849-1854), found by James O. from Pennsylvania with his AT Max.

James's story: This past month I was sitting at home after work. This time of the year it get so dark so early but it was too beautiful to sit around and do nothing. I decided to drive around and "door knock" to see if I could get onto a quick new permission. I got one "no" driving down a random road and started to drive off when I saw a stone house about 150 feet away. I pulled in and the man was very kind saying that it had been detected before by a local boy for the last 20 or so years. I decide to give it a try anyways.

After putting my gear on and ground balanced my AT Max I started swinging in the front yard. I always dig my first few repeatable tones to get a feel for the territory and got a choppy 50s-70s signal that was repeating. I pinpointed it and dug the plug. I used my pinpointer in the hole and found a piece of a square nail and went back to the plug to see if something was in there. I broke half of the plug off and saw a small gold object. At first I thought it was a pendant because it was so small. With further inspection I saw a bust facing left. It was extremely worn down so I wasn't sure if it was foreign or US but I did know it was a gold coin! With further inspection and some research I discovered it was a type 1 one dollar gold coin (1849-1854). This was the first one dollar gold coin the US ever minted as well as the smallest US coin ever minted. Unfortunately I am unable to get a date off of it but I am so happy in any condition.

James O. 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 November 2018 is the 1901 Liberty Head Ten Dollar Gold Piece, found by Kelly R. from Kansas with his Ace 250.

Kelly's story: Hi there, I live in central Kansas, so while there are some historical spots they are few and far between. What I do most often is research where the original homesteads were but are now farm ground. The earliest they usually date to is the 1870's. I just recently got into this hobby and started with a used detector, then upgraded to a new Garrett Ace. One day, in the middle of an open field of new wheat I hit a great target among all the nails. I dug the target, and out came this beautiful 1901 Liberty Head ten dollar gold piece! I was so excited I had to run home to show my wife. I have got it on display and don't plan on parting with it anytime soon. I think of the poor farmer in his soddy who lost his gold coin and hope he didn't suffer from losing it. It had to have been a lot of money at the time. I have since bought an AT Pro with a 5x8 coil and am really enjoying using it.

Kelly R. 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 November 2018 is the Civil War Louisiana "Pelican" Belt Buckle, found by Joe C. from Louisiana with his Garrett Ground Hog detector.

Joe's story: I found this rare civil war Louisiana belt buckle while metal detecting at a civil war site here in Louisiana. I was digging up a lot of old relics when, to my surprise, this nice buckle popped out! I was using my Garrett Ground Hog detector which is one of the greatest detectors for hunting relics. It has never let me down. I have been using Garrett detectors for years, starting with the old BFO's. I always seem to find what some of the other detectors miss. Also, there were several other targets in the same hole with the buckle, but with the help of my Garrett Pro-Pointer, I was able to zero in on the buckle. Thanks Garrett for all your great products.

Joe C. 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 November 2018 is the Gold Monogram Ring with initials "JAW", found by Gregory P. from West Virginia with his AT Pro.

Gregory's story (edited): Through my friend Brian, I had permission to dig with him on a property in Jefferson County, West Virginia. Old tax maps show this property once belonged to heirs of Bushrod Washington. I was kind of excited to get out there with my metal detector because of my background and where I grew up. Bushrod Washington was the first president of the American Colonization Society. While Brian and I were hunting for relics on the property once owned by Washington, my Garrett AT Pro hit a nice signal! The item was buried about 9 to 10 inches deep, and when it came out of the ground it was shiny yellow.

Editor: The "JAW" initials may represent Bushrod's wife, Julia Ann Washington.

Gregory P. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit! You could be the next winner!

OCTOBER 2018 HAS TWO WINNERS!!!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for October 2018 is the assortment of California Gold Nuggets, found by Joe H. with his ATX and extra 8" coil.

Joe's story: I'm somewhat of an addict when it comes to mining. I was in CA in a spot I always wanted to prospect. I prospect plenty in the rivers below but it wasn't until a blazing fire ripped thru that I was able to access these mountains. Little did I know that the ground was very hot and mineralized and only a pulse induction machine could be successful in this ground. In no time at all there were some hot patches that were discovered and I was successful almost every time out. Some days it was just little pickers to bigger nugs but no matter what it was, I enjoyed every piece found and more importantly the time spent with friends and family. I will always be a Garrett customer. Thank you.

Joe H. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. fav find for October 2018 is the 1858 Seated Liberty Quarter, found by Alex R. from Michigan with his Ace 300.

Alex's story: Hi, my name is Alex and I am 8 years old. I have been metal detecting for about 1 year. I was on vacation with my family and we went to a town nearby to ask permission to detect in some yards. We found an old house across from the town square and started detecting. We found a few cool finds but nothing great. I was swinging under an old tree (where Nugget Noggin says to look) and got a solid 83/84 signal on our ACE 300. My dad and I started digging thinking it would be a penny. We were SHOCKED when we saw silver in the side of the hole. It was face up so we could see the seated liberty! I screamed and rolled on the ground. I was yelling "ITS A SEATED LIBERTY". We pulled it out of the hole and it was from 1858! I was excited for the whole weekend! It is my best find so far. Alex R. (and Dad)

Alex R. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit! You could be the next winner!

SEPTEMBER 2018 HAS FOUR WINNERS!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for September 2018 is the Victorian Brooch, found by Doug G. from Maryland with his AT Max.

Doug's story: I got out with a buddy on a hot Saturday afternoon. We stopped at a site that has been detected pretty hard. It was pretty quiet for targets so I was going low and slow with my AT Max. I got a deep scratchy tone close to the woods. After digging almost two inches past pin pointer depth, I pulled out my first Victorian brooch. It was caked with dirt but a little cleaning at home and it turned out amazing. The Max gets it done! Thanks Garrett!

Doug G. 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 2018 is the 10k Gold Ring with a Cross made of 6 Diamonds, found by Eric D. from Ohio with his AT Pro.

Eric's story: Hello. My name is Eric and this is my best find yet using my Garrett AT Pro. I use my lunch hour to metal detect. I was hunting a church yard with permission. It was a very hot day near 90 degrees and the ground was hard. I was working my way from right field to center field and back again. As I was slowing melting in the heat I got a very solid and repeating 68 signal. This was not the normal number I get. I waved over it from all sides. I even swung all around the area looking for a better number to chisel out of the ground. With my lunch hour just about over I located the spot again and dug my plug. At first glance it looked like a bottle cap. Once it popped out in my hand I knew it was something special. It was a 10k gold ring with 6 small diamonds. I think I had both sweat and tears on this one. No luck finding the owner yet.

Eric D. 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 2018 is the Commonwealth of Virginia Belt Buckle and Button, found by Luis E. from Pennsylvania with his Garrett AT Gold.

Luis's story: I purchased my Garrett AT Gold about 2 months ago. I'm ecstatic with my recent find! In a small town in Virginia I was privileged to go detecting with my buddy on a farm. The farmer was a long time friend of my buddy Jack, and he had explained to me that his farm hosted a small post and a training camp for soldiers during the civil war. So venturing I went with my new trusty AT Gold. Moving along for about 20 mins near a bush, at about 7 inches deep I got a strong signal. Digging away, heart pounding, not knowing if I find something of importance or value, my eyes could not believe it! I pulled out what seemed to me was a buckle which had the words Sic Sermris Tyrannis. Asking the farmer upon what it could mean, he smiled and said that it's a Latin phrase meaning "thus, always, to tyrants". It is the official motto of the Commonwealth of Virginia, our humble home. So inside, my heart pounded knowing that this find and hunt was special!

I went out for one more look and about 10 minutes by his livestock pen I hit again! OMG!!! I said today the nector gods are shining down on my Garrett AT Gold. lol. I have found in about 4 inches of pay dirt a button to which I also showed the farmer. Preening his eyes at what I found he took off his hat and scratched his head and said,"Now boy you got me on this one". He couldn't determine, and neither could I or my buddy jack, what kind of button it was. So in all besides some coins found (1864 2 cent,1858 seated liberty and 1843 one cent) all I can say this detector is a relic and coin and gold monster as well. Garrett has not only impressed me but still lives up to what it is, and that's a detector that lives up and stands above the rest.

Luis E. 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 September 2018 is the King George I Farthing & Draped Bust Large Cent, found by Jonathan S. and his father from Massachusetts with their AT Pro's.

Jonathan's story: My dad and I have been a great father and son duo for many years now. This past weekend, we took part in our club's farm hunt, the Granite State Treasure Hunters Club in New Hampshire. Out of about 40 participants Sunday, only two copper coins were recovered. So, I was just starting a row in the field after we arrived, and I hit a signal strong. I checked it again with my AT Pro then dug my plug. About 6 inches down, using my Garrett carrot I uncovered my oldest coin to date! Although its a bit toasted it was clear enough to see it was a KGI with a date of 1719! I was so pumped I jumped up and couldn't even hold it as members looked on because I was shaking so much! The excitement and feeling of finding something so historic is why I love this hobby!

Our members in the club told me to write into Garrett, so that's why I'm telling you our story. And yes us! My dad, two hours later, pulled the second copper of the day, a Draped Bust Large cent! Although his coin was a bit better in shape, we still couldn't make out the date. Dad found his piece of history almost 12 inches deep and said it was giving him a faint 74-82 signal. After he opened his plug, the tone cleaned up and got stronger. Using his carrot he pin pointed and yelled COPPER! Everyone ran over and was so happy the father/son duo pulled the best coins of the day.

The NH Club is allot of fun and filled with so many good people! I've helped younger kids learn their machines and older kids over 60 when they needed help digging a hole. That is what a Club is about. Helping one another! We love our AT Pros and look forward to our next big discoveries!

Jonathan S. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit! You could be the next winner!

AUGUST 2018 HAS THREE WINNERS!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for August 2018 is the Silver Drawstring Purse Charm, found by Kerry H. from Rhode Island with her AT Pro.

Kerry's story: I have been detecting for three years, my husband Jason got me into the hobby. On Aug 9, 2018 we were hunting woods. I got a signal with my AT Pro that sounded scratchy but heard an interesting chirp only three inches down. I was not expecting what I found: 2 seated half dimes, 3 trimes, and a silver drawstring purse charm fashioned in a chatelaine/fob also on the reverse side inscribed with children's names (making them Love Tokens). With research we found that their lineage traces back to the earliest settlers of Rhode Island. This has been my most exciting find yet. Looking forward to my next find with my AT Pro. Thanks for looking.

Kerry H. 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 August 2018 is the Fully Intact Confederate Bayonet with Socket, found by Jeffrey P. from Virginia with his AT Pro.

Jeffrey's story: What a GREAT HUNT with my AT Pro!!!! I helped an older farmer locate his property markers in the woods of his land that sits just outside a known battlefield here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. After 10 minutes we located his markers. He then give my digging partner and I full access all day to relic hunt! I started going along very slowly (due to the high minerals in the soil) my first good signal sounded like a pile of tin cans under the ground. I starting digging slowly and about 2 inches underground I popped up a totally intact confederate bayonet with socket attached. Totally worth helping the farmer out! Couldn't do it without my trusty AT Pro. Thank you.

Jeffrey P. 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 August 2018 is the 1785 Nova Constellatio Coin, found by Jim B. with his AT MAX.

Jim's story: I purchased my new AT Max last week. Today was its maiden voyage at a favorite colonial-era site. This machine did not disappoint! I found quite a few colonial era buttons and some coins quite a few other machines have missed. These were machines that were supposedly the best on the market. One of the coins I found today was a bucket lister. I found a 1785 Nova Constellatio in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. I Also run an AT GOLD.

Jim B. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit! You could be the next winner!

JULY 2018 HAS TWO WINNERS!!!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for July 2018 is the 47 Walking Liberty Coins Stash, found by Ian M. from Ohio with his AT Pro.

Ian's story: This is and probably will be these best find for me ever! I wanted to search my buddies property that has been in his family since 1874. I wanted to find old coins and relics that tied into his family. I let my buddy use the Ace 200 until he was feeling comfortable with it. We were digging wheats up left and right. So then I let him use my AT Pro and he started hitting silvers and more wheats deeper. So while he was digging a deep target, I took my AT Pro and started swinging it. I came across an extremely high multiple target sound. I almost didn't dig it because I was sure it was just a huge piece of iron. So I cut a plug and turned it over. I just sat there and stared at I don't know how many Walkers! My buddy asked me what I found. I just said "Come over here". We were very careful and picked out 47 Walking Liberties! It took us 2 hours just making sure we didn't damage them. We're only 10% done with his property. Coin count: 30 wheats, 3 barber dimes, 6 mercury dimes, 4 Roosevelt's, 4 Washington's, 2 Indian heads, 1 buffalo, and of course 47 walkers.

Ian M. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
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WINNER #2
My second favorite U.S. favorite find for July 2018 is the WWII 101st Airborne Dog Tag, found by David A. with his AT Pro.

David's story (edited): I took my son to visit Europe for his college graduation to visit sites where we had family serve in the First and Second World Wars. It was a trip I promised him when he was little and those relatives were still around to tell him stories of their youth.

A local took us to visit some foxholes, deep in the woods where the 101st Airborne had dug in. We found a massive amount of shrapnel, some unexploded ordinance we had to phone in, and reset the machine to focus on higher readings. My boy brightened up with the beeps that revealed a few bullet casings from M1's, and a .50 caliber shell. With one especially high pitch over 80 reading, we found, about 6 inches below the surface in one fox hole, the dog tag of one Charles Keim. My son, who has teased me about my AT Pro said, "Dad, the metal detector just paid for itself!"

Keim was with the 101st Airborne, parachuted on D-day, was wounded and captured and escaped. He died two years ago. How he lost that tag we'll never know. But as far as the detector paying for itself? I did some research, found Keim's family, contacted them, and returned it. In that respect, yes, I think the detector paid for itself. And then some.

David A. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit! You could be the next winner!

JUNE 2018 HAS TWO WINNERS!

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WINNER #1
My United States favorite find for June 2018 is the 80th Regiment of Foot (Royal Edinburgh Volunteers) buckle, found by Thomas R. from New York with his AT Pro.

Thomas's story: I was detecting an old rock wall along the back of private property in Orange County N.Y. I was having no luck digging a lot of junk. Then I got a high pitch 83 to 85 on my AT Pro. Started to dig, saw a rectangular piece of metal, thought it was more junk till I turned it over and saw the REV in script on the front. I was so excited I couldn't speak! I wasn't sure what it was exactly but with a couple of calls turned out to be the 80th Regiment of Foot (Royal Edinburgh Volunteers) buckle! I couldn't believe what I have found and the rarity of it (2 or 3 known) and why I was digging it up in New York when they where captured in Yorktown, Virginia.

Thomas R. 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 June 2018 is the Returned 1951 Gold Ring, found by by Scott C. from Texas with his AT Pro.

Scott's story: I can say this was one of my most memorable finds! I was scouting out some areas in town where a house had been torn down and had a sweet older woman ask me if I was finding anything good. I showed her a few wheats and a Merc I found and she was excited for me. She told me I could hunt her yard. She just wanted to see what I might find because her parents were the original owners of the house in 1924. I hunted for about an hour and found a couple old coins and some tokens. I was about to pack it up and I got a solid "52" hoping for a V Nick or a Buff, I dug down and out popped this beauty!

As I was leaving, I showed Nancy my finds and the moment that ring came out, she begin tearing up. I handed it to her, and her hands were trembling. She was telling me how she remembered losing that ring in 1951, the year she graduated, 67 years ago! She told me she was with some friends at her house in the evening and during dancing it flung off. She said that her dad had looked for it in the yard for years with no luck. She brought out her old ID where it shared the same initials.

I know this is a little chunk of gold to some of us, but seeing the reaction on her face is something I will never forget and will always motivate me to keep digging!

Scott C. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit! You could be the next winner!

MAY 2018 HAS TWO WINNERS!!!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for May 2018 is the Pre Civil War Militia Plate 1830-40, found by Thomas E. from Massachusetts with his AT Pro and carrot.

Thomas's story: I was out bottle digging a few weeks ago at a civil war era cellar hole. I rounded up my goods to head on out. As you know calling it quits (for the day) in this hobby is one of the hardest things to do, so I dropped my pack and put my coil to the ground. Having marginal success finding a few buttons and a large bell until this happened. My first belt plate! Amazing. Enjoy.

Thomas E. 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 May 2018 is the Early Militia Button, found by Robert B. from Virginia with his AT Max.

Robert's story: I got an invitation to hunt a union campsite. Bullets, period coins and other buttons were found on previous hunts by the fellow who invited me. I was impressed at the finds, especially the Rhode Island button. Along with the usual junk, I managed a thimble, an old P.O. box ID tag, and a 1919 wheat penny.

But the best find for me was the militia button. The AT Max proved its worth, sniffing it out amongst the iron by giving that high tone in those irony grunts. The Max is definitely a keeper!

Robert B. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit! You could be the next winner!

APRIL 2018 HAS TWO WINNERS!

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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for April 2018 is the Gold Ring with Garnet Birth Stones, found by Bryan G. from Tennessee with his AT Pro.

Bryan's story: The day started off with me racking my brain, trying to find a place to hunt for the day. I decided to use google maps to find a local creek to delve into. Lucky me, I found one just a few miles from my house I hadn't noticed before. Packing up, I hoped for the best. With civil war activity in my area, I hoped for a lone three ringer at the least. A few feet into the water, I began to find the signs of my fellow country boys. Shot .22 bullets riddled the cracks and crevices, not excluding the lost rooster tail from a fisher man or two.

A few yards up the creek I saw a small water fall ledge no taller than six inches at best. I checked it and got a solid "46" tone. (.22 caliber bullets ring up on my machine between 42-47 with some fluctuations.) But this was the solid steady and tight pattern that gets a metal detector's heart racing.

There was a small circular hole in the bed rock, about the size of a hockey puck, only 2 inches deep. I felt around and could barely feel the edge of something stuck in the circle, but under the tiny ledge rim that formed the circle. Curiosity peaked, I took out my hand trowel and chipped the ledge away just enough to allow my finger nail to hang the rim of the ring. With amazement, I just held it. Instantly started to snap pictures and sending my find to the people in my life.

It was the very first ring I had ever found. My girlfriend staked claim to the little golden ring. Again to my amazement the ring held little red heart garnets, which happen to be her birthstones, set in 14k gold. The ring was a perfect fit as well. This was a Cinderella story to tell about. A year later I'm marrying that girl! I knew Garrett Metal detectors where the best detectors in the world, in my opinion, but I didn't know they could find me a wife as well!!

Bryan G. 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 April 2018 is the Confederate Tongue Buckle, found by Kimmie P. from North Carolina with her AT Pro.

Kimmie's story: There is something magical about detecting a Civil War camp area. Everything that comes out of the ground has possible ties to a Civil War soldier. Some things are pure speculation, like horse tack and grommets, others are more certain, such as three ringers and buttons. But there is nothing more definitive than what I recently recovered from a known camp location.

The day was getting short and the temperatures were dropping. My team and I decided to look around one more section before calling it a day. Kirk, my friend and local historian, was in the middle of regaling us with his vast knowledge of the area when I heard a faint blip on my AT Pro. Knowing not to take any tones for granted at a Civil War site, I stopped in my tracks and studied the target. I wasn't getting a read on it, just a very short, clipped, high repeatable blip. Whatever it was, it was deep!

I suddenly became oblivious of my friend's tale as I began digging in the sandy soil: six inches, eight inches, ten inches. I got down to around twelve inches when my Pro Pointer AT picked up the signal. The coin shaped target was end to end as I plucked it from the ground. I initially thought it was a "flattened largie" with its dark, copper- like patina. I gently ran my finger across the object, flipping it over in my hand. Expecting a "mystery coin" I was thrown into a state of shock at what I saw. Only in my wildest dreams did I hope to one day dig something containing the letters "CS". I did not expect this would be that day. I dropped the find like it was on fire!

"No way…" I stated in a stunned tone. Kirk, who had been talking to himself by this point, thought I was responding to his history lesson. "No, it's true…" he replied as he carried on with his story. "No way!" I firmly interrupted. "Oh yes…" he replied, seemingly perplexed as to why I was questioning his expertise. "No! No WAY!" I shouted. "Oh man," he said, realizing I was no longer in his conversation. "She's got something!" he yelled towards Gerald who was digging on the other side of the field.

I could barely breathe as I sat on the ground looking up at the guys inspecting my find. In utter disbelief, I eked out the words, "I dug CS!" "It's a tongue isn't it?" I asked, already knowing the answer. "Yes it is!" they exclaimed. "A confederate tongue buckle!"

Kimmie P. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit!
Next month Vaughan will give away a Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk™ and Garrett® MS-3 Wireless Kit! You could be the next winner!