Detecting Trip Bonanza

[angellionel]

This year I had been planning to make a three day detecting trip to either Ohio, New York, or even here in Massachusetts. The year would soon be over, so this past Thursday I finally took the plunge and made the necessary arrangements, electing to detect at a few locations in Massachusetts. Even though I would be detecting in my home state commuting the three hour one-way drive did not appeal to me, so I booked a motel room not far from the sites I had planned to hit. I arrived at the motel at 3:00 PM on Thursday, got settled in and reviewed the list of sites I planned to detect during the next few days. By 4:00 I was at one of the sites to look it over. Public parks are appealing to me because many detectorist tend to give up on them as 'hunted out'. They would be surprised at what it is they are missing.

I ended the trip with 15 silver coins, 35 coppers, two 2-cent pieces, several Indian Head cents, and a good number of old wheat cents.

Thursday: Just a tease of finds

I had intended to remain at each site for about thirty minutes before heading to the next site as all I wanted to do was to check out the locations to determine if the grounds had been redone, what type of trash layered the ground, and how much of it I could expect to deal with. However, the temptation to remain at the first site had been too great after I picked up two Indian Head cents. The planned 35 minutes turned to 2 1/2 hours but during that time I had dug up several old coins, and though I wanted to stay for a while longer the rain that was now steadily falling forced me to head back to the motel room. The next day was one I was eagerly looking forward to.

This 1806 half cent was in the same hole as the large coin. I ended up scratching it while attempting to retrieve the larger target. :rolleyes: I still love her though. :smitten:

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/1806halfcent_091610.jpg

This large and thick coin is a 1814 Dom Joao VI Copper 40 Reis from Portugal. What a heavy coin! I can't imagine carrying several of them around. :confused:

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/1814_40_reis_portugal_091610.jpg

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/1814_40_reis_portugal_091610B.jpg

A Nova Scotia coin, dated 1852.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/1852provinceofnovascotia_091610.jpg

Six Indian Head cents and one lone silver.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/indianheadcents_091610


Friday: A day of coppers

I had made the detecting trip in the hopes of picking up a few old silver coins, but what this site had in stored for me was a complete and pleasant surprise. I arrived early in the morning, selected a spot near some very old trees and proceeded to grid and listen for the deep targets. The surface trash did not bother me much as I carefully listened for those deep signals I have become very familiar with. Within fifteen minutes I had a good one. I dug down a good nine inches before the X-1 probe screamed loudly, alerting me of the targets nearness. Another inch or two of soil later I had in my hand a large cent. I had a huge smile, but it would pale by comparison to the one I would sport by the end of the day. During the next hour I picked up another four deeply buried coppers around that tree, a copper every fifteen minutes.

After while I moved on to another large tree detecting outward from it, and more or less had the same results. This went on for most of the day, and at the end of it I had in my pouch twenty old coppers! Five of them are Draped Bust cents! To say that I was ecstatic would be an incredibly silly understatement.

These are representative of what is found in the pile of twenty coppers.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/largecoppers_091710.jpg

Twenty coppers in one day. A personal record. They ranged in depth from 8 1/2 to 12 inches.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/20coppercoins_091710.jpg

The five Draped Bust cents. I can make out the dates on three, 1797, 1798, and 1802. The other two still have caked-in soil. I have to be careful about not scraping off any details.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/5drapedbustcents_091710.jpg

I need to take a closer look at this one. I can barely make out some digits.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/1787connecticutcopper_091710.jpg

This one is a 1837 Daniel Webster hard times token. It has great details.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/1837token_091710.jpg

The only two silver coins I picked up from that area, along with the IH and other miscellaneous items.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/silverandih_091710.jpg


Saturday: Then the old silver showed up

I returned on Saturday to continue gridding another section of the park. I was feeling good about my chances for finding old silver. The park did not disappoint. I dug up two seated dimes, one that was part of a coin drop being in the hole with two Indian Head cents.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/seateddimes_091810.jpg

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/silverdimes_091810.jpg

Another interesting one. I can make out the word Canada.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/oldcopper_091810.jpg

More coppers added to the pile.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/largecoppers_091810.jpg

An old button and the Indian Head cents.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/oldbutton_091810.jpg

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/indianheadcents_091810.jpg


Sunday: Closing the trip with more coppers and old silver

I had a late start in the morning as I started detecting after 9:00. I was to leave at 3:00 for the long drive back home so I had to make every minute count. I detected at another location, working it as slow as I could, focusing on the signals of the deeper targets. Soon I had Barber dime, and a while later I had another. Employing the circling-around-a-find method allowed me to pick up several coppers, a seated and Barber quarter, along with some old wheat cents. I moved along to another section and managed a few more coppers, two 2-cent pieces, and a mercury, Barber, and Roosevelt dime.

These are what I had initially made the trip for, but the end result turned out to be even sweeter.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/1856seatedquarter_091910.jpg

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/1897barberquarter_091910.jpg

The silver dimes.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/silverdimes_091910.jpg

All the silver together.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/silvercoins_091910.jpg

The two cent pieces made for fun finds as well.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/1865_2center_091910.jpg

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/1870_2center_091910.jpg

Another Colonial copper.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/colonialcopper_091910.jpg

Yet another Draped bust cent. This one is quite worn though.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/drapedbustcent_091910.jpg

These two were in the same hole.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/largecents_091910.jpg

Two more large cents, bringing the total to six for the day.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/largecent2_091910.jpg

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/largecent_091910.jpg

The old wheat cents and one Indian Head cent.

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/wheatcents_091910.jpg


HH!

[Myownwings]

Wow, now that is truly impressive. Apparently that site is not quite hunted out yet...:lol:

[jkress]

Yeah... those are some all right finds. :rolleyes: :poke:

:shocked04: :shocked04: :shocked04: :shocked04: :shocked04:

Your hunts, somehow, keep getting more and more mind blowing. You are truly on a whole different level.

Those are simply some incredible finds. Congrats Angel.

Ever think about trying to find the Lost City of Atlantis?? I'm sure you could put that one to rest on an extended weekend hunt.

Again, congrats! A three day hunting extravaganza sounds like a great weekend and your finds were worth the trip.

[hockeyguy]

Unbelievable that this could be done.....also unbelievable how many championships Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods could earn.

I am speachless...Congratulations! :peace:

[Exploreruser]

Simply amazing demonstration of your detecting abilities, All I can say is wow.. :) I belive your unknown 1837 one is a Van Buren Metallic Currency hard times token...Congrats on the amazing finds..

[li tom]

That is a simply amazing roadtrip.Most of us would be happy with those old coin totals for a season,especially the Coppers.I and a buddy have been planning a road trip to Mass.-Conn.If we could do a fraction as well,we will be very happy.Did you do much research for this trip?

[z118]

Holy....


WOW!


That seated quarter is the prettiest thing I've ever seen.

Let me know if you head into NY or Ohio!

[yazoo]

Wow, Awesome and Unreal. What more can one say . Those are some great finds and many will not find what you have there in a life time of detecting.Great Finds. Congrats. Yazoo

[milco]

Awesome trip and finds! Thanks for taking the time to post pictures and take us all along for the ride! I would be happy with half of those finds in a lifetime, much less a weekend! It sure would be nice to see pictures of all those coppers when you get them cleaned up and id'd.

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

HOLY CRAP! i give up. Dan and George give him the darn copper crown now :blackeye:
totally freakin amazing! :clapping:

[RobW]

Holy ^&*^&^%^^%&*(&*&!!!!!!!!!! Never seen anything like that before! That's it you now have a stalker, I'm going to follow you EVERYWHERE! Just kidding, some of us have to work for a living.

[milco]

That's it you now have a stalker, I'm going to follow you EVERYWHERE! Just kidding, some of us have to work for a living.

You could follow him every where you want and even detect right behind him, but I still don't think any of us could keep up with the silver and copper count!

[dave in iowa]

wow you are truely the master

[angellionel]

Wow, now that is truly impressive. Apparently that site is not quite hunted out yet...:lol:


I had been told that the parks in that area had been heavily hit over the years, but I do question that claim. There was a lack of clad coins as I only dug about six or seven. It seems that the shallower silver had already been claimed as I only picked up a few during the first two days. But even so, an experienced detectorist should have been able to pick up a good amount of the deeper signals.



Simply amazing demonstration of your detecting abilities, All I can say is wow.. :) I belive your unknown 1837 one is a Van Buren Metallic Currency hard times token...Congrats on the amazing finds..


Thank you, Jack. :) Really though, there isn't much I am doing that cannot be done or has not been done by others who likewise take the time to learn their machine. And this isn't limited to just learning some of the top detectors, such as the V3i or E-Trac, though those two do provide some advantages. :yes: Hey, thanks for the ID on that token! :thumbsup01: I like the way it looks. It should clean up nicely.



That is a simply amazing roadtrip.Most of us would be happy with those old coin totals for a season,especially the Coppers.I and a buddy have been planning a road trip to Mass.-Conn.If we could do a fraction as well,we will be very happy.Did you do much research for this trip?


Not much in the way of research, but just reading about certain areas, a bit of the history, and making sure that detecting at such locations would not be a problem. I wish you much success on your trip!



Holy....


WOW!


That seated quarter is the prettiest thing I've ever seen.

Let me know if you head into NY or Ohio!


I do plan to drive to the Albany area on one of the coming weekends. Hopefully we can get together then.



Awesome trip and finds! Thanks for taking the time to post pictures and take us all along for the ride! I would be happy with half of those finds in a lifetime, much less a weekend! It sure would be nice to see pictures of all those coppers when you get them cleaned up and id'd.


Thanks, milco! Many of the coppers should clean up well, but I will have to take my time. It looks like it will be a winter project. :yes:



HOLY CRAP! i give up. Dan and George give him the darn copper crown now :blackeye:
totally freakin amazing! :clapping:


I'm not in the copper race, remember? :lol:

[RobW]

So how would you describe the hits on those deep coppers (and for that matter the deep silvers) for all of newbies to the E-Trac? As I have having touble with the deep targets, which is where the good stuff is!

[angellionel]

So how would you describe the hits on those deep coppers (and for that matter the deep silvers) for all of newbies to the E-Trac? As I have having touble with the deep targets, which is where the good stuff is!


There are a few things a user must be willing to do to maximize the machine's ability to reach deeper targets - use a higher than usual sensitivity along with settings appropriate for the site being worked, even when the machine suggests otherwise. Be willing and able to tolerate and mentally filter through the resulting chatter. It can be a slippery slope, but it can also be well worth the effort. Go at a slow pace, though this also depends on the machine being used. And have patience! Remember too that you can't find what is not there. But if the site is an old one, and the original soil is still intact, then there should be opportunities to make some nice finds.

At the site I worked my E-Trac was suggesting a sensitivity setting of no higher than 22, but that simply would not do for me. I gradually cranked it up to a level where I could tolerate the resulting chatter. I had it at 29. Sure, a sensitivy setting of 22 would have had the E-Trac running as smooth as silk, but what good is that if I can't reach the deeper targets? I am, after all, working sites where there are many small and shallower targets, and I want to get past that noise to reach the deeper signals.

Don't expect a hit that will stop you on your tracks. That doesn't happen often on very deep targets, though I have found that early spring, when the soil is nice and damp, can be the exception. What I look for are crackles that can be discerned as being different from the chatter that results when using a high sensitivity. One must keep in mind that the machine is reacting to a metallic object. Those with experience detecting for deep targets know what I mean. I check for depth, consistency in the machine's reaction to the target, and if it pinpoints on the same location in both discriminate and pinpoint mode (though this can be a challenge at target-rich sites).

I hope that helps.

[Epi-hunter]

Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said? :)

Except this :behave: :hammer: :boxing: :lol: Just kidding! :grin: ;)

Truly amazing finds, Angel. You and that machine are one. It is inspiring to know that such success can be had, with the experience and knowledge. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us. It really does help.

[RobW]

Do you find any variation in the numbers for shallow vs. deeper targets? Or do the remain the same?

[wild willy]

ah! WOW!! ah WOW!! man you know, you make me want to go out to a hunted out park now. i have never i mean never seen anything like that in my life. big congrats and you just keep on doing whatever you do. wild willy

[rsarge1]

It doesn't get any better :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: SOME DAY I HOPE TO FIND ONE OF THOSE FINDS!!!
that would make my year.

very well done

sarge

[Fire Fighter 43]

YOU ARE THE MAN!!!! I wish we had coins like that in the ground around here, you New Englanders have it nice.

[kenfen]

Very inspiring. Next hunt, I'll be running my E-Trac blazing hot to coax coins out of my park. I know they are there, they are just really really deep.

Great stuff, Angel! Thanks so much for sharing!

Regards, Ken

[coinnut]

Hey not bad :lol: Decided to coax some of them coppers to the surface :yes: That '97 is a gorgeous coin and worth some bucks too!!! What a great couple of days you had. Nice coppers and some really nice Seated coins. Hats off to you :beerbuddy: That is an amazing hunt, even for Angel standards :lol: I bet you never imagined those results before you started to hunt. I guess them parks are just as good or better than the local ones. Great hunt :clapping:

[angellionel]

Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said? :)

Except this :behave: :hammer: :boxing: :lol: Just kidding! :grin: ;)

Truly amazing finds, Angel. You and that machine are one. It is inspiring to know that such success can be had, with the experience and knowledge. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us. It really does help.


Thanks, Angie. :) It really is encouraging to know that that not all parks and other sites have been completely cleaned out. It does take a bit more work and effort to find them, but it is worth it. :yes:



Do you find any variation in the numbers for shallow vs. deeper targets? Or do the remain the same?


Do you mean the Fe/Co numbers? Yes, absolutely. The shallower targets will yield much more consistent and even numbers, but that is not so with the very deep targets. The Fe number do bounce significantly, bouncing from between 6 and 24. The Co numbers do tend to be more consistent, though there is still a good amount of bounce compared to shallower targets. I rely primarily on the tones/signals when hitting on the deep targets though.



YOU ARE THE MAN!!!! I wish we had coins like that in the ground around here, you New Englanders have it nice.


It is a part of the country with a lot of rich history, no doubt. :yes:



Very inspiring. Next hunt, I'll be running my E-Trac blazing hot to coax coins out of my park. I know they are there, they are just really really deep.

Great stuff, Angel! Thanks so much for sharing!

Regards, Ken


You may just surprise yourself, Ken. ;) Those old sites of yours should yield some nice keepers. :yes:



Hey not bad :lol: Decided to coax some of them coppers to the surface :yes: That '97 is a gorgeous coin and worth some bucks too!!! What a great couple of days you had. Nice coppers and some really nice Seated coins. Hats off to you :beerbuddy: That is an amazing hunt, even for Angel standards :lol: I bet you never imagined those results before you started to hunt. I guess them parks are just as good or better than the local ones. Great hunt :clapping:


I love that '97 one. :smitten: I had made the trip hoping to find three to five old silver coins during each of the days I planned to detect, but I had absolutely no idea that I would end up with so many coppers. :shocked01:

[SeabeeRon]

Simply friggin amazing!!! :drool: :drool: :loveit: :loveit: :twirlingeyes: :twirlingeyes:

[Myownwings]

Angel,
What would you estimate the average depth you were digging...just starting to worry that my brand new E-Trac may require sticks of dynamite to get through the first couple layers. :)

[catskillcomics]

Holy Moly Angel, you Metal Detecting finds never quit amazing me, I got yourself a hell of a machine, and know what to listen for!!! 12 coins... I couldn't even come close with the DFX.. great Job!! :thumbsup01:

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

hey angel i forgot to mention depending on that counter stamp mark on the obverse of that matron head LC that may very well be one of the more valuable coins in that group. i dug a matron head counterstamped M.TIDD WOBURN in upstate ny and found out from mark parker from western & eastern treasure magazine that Marshall Tidd Woburn Mass was a gunsmith who outfitted civil war regimental sharpshooters during the war. there were only about 50 known to exist of my counterstamped coin and placed a value of $250 on it.
just letting you know

[KirkPA]

Wow, Angel, that was a killer copper site! Unbelievable! The most we got in one day was 13. Killer!

Kirk

[angellionel]

Thank you for the comments and kind expressions everyone!



Angel,
What would you estimate the average depth you were digging...just starting to worry that my brand new E-Trac may require sticks of dynamite to get through the first couple layers. :)


On the coppers, the shallowest was at about 8 1/2 and the deepest at about 12. On the deepest coins I did not pick up a signal from my X-1 probe until about nine to ten inches of soil had been dug up. I estimate the average depth on the coppers to have been about ten inches.



Holy Moly Angel, you Metal Detecting finds never quit amazing me, I got yourself a hell of a machine, and know what to listen for!!! 12 coins... I couldn't even come close with the DFX.. great Job!! :thumbsup01:


Thanks, Scott!



hey angel i forgot to mention depending on that counter stamp mark on the obverse of that matron head LC that may very well be one of the more valuable coins in that group. i dug a matron head counterstamped M.TIDD WOBURN in upstate ny and found out from mark parker from western & eastern treasure magazine that Marshall Tidd Woburn Mass was a gunsmith who outfitted civil war regimental sharpshooters during the war. there were only about 50 known to exist of my counterstamped coin and placed a value of $250 on it.
just letting you know


That's a sweet one, Dave! That counterstamp has nice sharp details. Two of the coppers I dug up do have counterstamps. The 1797 has a K, and the 1837 has J. Vaughn. :yes: They do add value to the coins, and I'm hoping these particular counterstamps are of the rarer variety. Thanks, Dave!

http://www.angellionel.com/myfinds/2010/September/largecoppers_091710.jpg



Wow, Angel, that was a killer copper site! Unbelievable! The most we got in one day was 13. Killer!

Kirk


Thank you, Kirk! It was a fun hunt for sure. :yes:

[del]

well thanks Angel , thanks for tremendous feeling i get of personal inadequacy with my detector :crying01: :embarrassed: anyone else get that same feeling after seeing his posts :dontknow: :dontknow: it took me a while to reply to this post as i had to reflect on my detecting prowse , that and i would just about get sick everytime i read this thread :lol: :lol: because you got 20 coppers in one day and it took me until this time this year to achieve this number . :bummer: i've come to the conculsion that i suck :lol: :rofl: :rofl: so i'll be opening up a knitting / baking class for anyone else that feels the same way i do . :lol: :lol: Dave ,George , i know i'll see you two there . :rofl: :rofl:


seriously Angel , truely an incredible hunt :clapping: :peace: :clapping: that gives me hope that there are still great finds hidden in our areas and within our reach , one just has to be patient , focus your attention and know the language of our machines , some research and a little luck doesn't hurt either . congrats again my friend. :thumbsup01:

[angellionel]

well thanks Angel , thanks for tremendous feeling i get of personal inadequacy with my detector :crying01: :embarrassed: anyone else get that same feeling after seeing his posts :dontknow: :dontknow: it took me a while to reply to this post as i had to reflect on my detecting prowse , that and i would just about get sick everytime i read this thread :lol: :lol: because you got 20 coppers in one day and it took me until this time this year to achieve this number . :bummer: i've come to the conculsion that i suck :lol: :rofl: :rofl: so i'll be opening up a knitting / baking class for anyone else that feels the same way i do . :lol: :lol: Dave ,George , i know i'll see you two there . :rofl: :rofl:


seriously Angel , truely an incredible hunt :clapping: :peace: :clapping: that gives me hope that there are still great finds hidden in our areas and within our reach , one just has to be patient , focus your attention and know the language of our machines , some research and a little luck doesn't hurt either . congrats again my friend. :thumbsup01:


:lol: :lol:

Thanks, Dan! It sure was a fun few days. It was one of those once in a lifetime hunts. I will always remember it. :yes:

[Ill Digger]

i've come to the conculsion that i suck :lol: :rofl: :rofl: so i'll be opening up a knitting / baking class for anyone else that feels the same way i do . :lol: :lol: Dave ,George , i know i'll see you two there . :rofl: :rofl: :blackeye: Ah.... :bummer: Sign me up too :crying01:


Holy smokes Angel !! Thats just sick man !!
I hope to have at least one hunt like that before I die :yes:
I don't know what else to say other than Sweet Hunt !! :clapping:
Congrats :grin:

[hoser]

:shocked04: :shocked04: :drool: Had to be the hunt of a lifetime. I just couldn't imagine anything on that level. A very well done bud. :clapping: :peace:

[wild willy]

just so everybody knows the token is daniel webster hard times token i found on the research section in this forum. its pretty cool! wild willy

[Jason in Enid]

You could follow him every where you want and even detect right behind him, but I still don't think any of us could keep up with the silver and copper count!


I don't want to detect behind him, talk about a baren waste land!! I want to piggy-back by head phones and listen to his signals he's digging!