2012 BEST FIND MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS!

At the beginning of each new month American Detectorist members vote on the best detecting finds made during the previous month. Three categories of finds are considered: coins, relics, and jewelry. The monthly winners in each category are featured on the forum with a recognition avatar during the following month, and their winning finds and posts are recorded in the Award section of the forum.

The following is a summary of award winners in each category during 2012.

The member's post on the forum can be viewed by clicking on the photo of the find.

The best coin award for January 2012 was bestowed upon lee for his 1832 capped bust half dime found in a freshly tilled field. HEAVYMETALNUT earned the best relic award for his Connecticut Militia button, circa 1812, recovered from a cellar hole site. The best jewelry award was given to Cheap Thrills with his recovery - and return - of a gold class ring on a silver rope chain.

DirtFisher was the recipient of the best coin award in February for his 1909 King Edward VII Half Sovereign gold coin, recovered from the water. The best relic award was bestowed upon midas for his Massachusetts Artillery civil war button. Abucooche won the best jewelry award for his Jesuit ring.

RobW received the March 2012 best coin award for his 1796 Liberty Cap large cent. The best relic award was won by sniffy for his civil war dog tags found at a cellar hole site. coop received the best jewelry award for his 1916 gold class ring, recovered at a park.

The best coin award for April 2012 was bestowed upon coop for his 1835 capped bust half dime. The best relic of the month was awarded to HEAVYMETALNUT for his recovery of a civil war dog tag at a cellar hole site. Mdakin received the best jewelry award for his Gimmel ring.

401k was the recipient of the May 2012 best coin award for his 1712 Spanish 2 reale. The best relic award was bestowed upon HEAVYMETALNUT for recovery of two General Lafayette cuff buttons (circa 1820) at a cellar hole site. Chicago Ron received the best jewelry award for his recovery and return of a high school class ring that was lost in 1950.

The best coin award for June 2012 was presented to SafariScott for his recovery of a very nice 1835 capped bust dime at a soccer field. Carl2112 received the best relic award for finding a purple heart medal, which he is attempting to return to its original owner. The best jewelry award was received by tanacat for her recovery of a large silver crucifix from an old park.

The best coin award for July 2012 was received by CTX Tom for his 1807 over 6 variety Draped Bust large cent, which he found in his yard. POKIE73 received the best relic award for his Federal Union civil war belt plate. The best jewelry award was given to Marcus for recovery of a Medieval Hungarian ring.

JTGold was the recipient of the best coin award for August 2012 for his find of an 1853 Seated half dollar at an old homestead site. Thiltzy won the best relic award for his colonial sundial, found in the water. PL8MAN received the best jewelry award for his find of a 14K gold ring with black onyx and diamonds, recovered from a park.

Skribnodsister received the best coin award for September 2012 for her find of an 1871 half dollar California gold coin. The best relic was awarded to aloldstuff for his recovery of an early shoulder belt plate (1790-1810) at an old homestead site. Fsa46 was the recipient of the best jewelry award for his gold and diamond ring, found at a beach.

The winner of the October 2012 best coin award was leslie (nova scotia) for his Henry VIII circa 1509 coin. Dave in Iowa was the recipient of the best relic award for his Texas Ranger badge. The best jewelry award was given to Fire Fighter 43 for his recovery of a 14K gold ring with red stones from a wooded grove.

Midas won the November 2012 best coin award for his 1787 Fugio cent. The best relic award was bestowed upon Fire Fighter 43 for his old copper culture spear point, found at an old picnic grove site. Thiltzy received the best jewelry award for his unique 14K gold and diamond ring, recovered from the water.

Last but not least for 2012, the December best coin award was won by CyberSage for his 1895-O key date barber dime found at a favorite old park. Fire Fighter 43 claimed the best relic award for the month with his find of a Native American copper knife. The best jewelry award was received by Tony Two-Cent for his sterling silver Roy Rogers ring, retrieved from an old park during a detecting trip with a group of fellow forum members.