How often is treasure found during construction?

fronjm05

fronjm05

Jr. Member
May 8, 2013
91
26
Alta California
Detector(s) used
Fisher F2<br />
Fisher Gemini III
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Just curious how often members think treasure has been found throughout history, I guess not just in the US - during construction of roads, or again I guess any construction? A lot of roads are built over old trail road ways. Do you think our government has probably found a ton of treasure and obviously just pocketed it? sorry if this has been asked a search here returned a TON of hits.

I highly doubt there is a database anywhere of what construction or government companies have found during construction?

Joe
 

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fronjm05 said:
Just curious how often members think treasure has been found throughout history, I guess not just in the US - during construction of roads, or again I guess any construction? A lot of roads are built over old trail road ways. Do you think our government has probably found a ton of treasure and obviously just pocketed it? sorry if this has been asked a search here returned a TON of hits.

I highly doubt there is a database anywhere of what construction or government companies have found during construction?

Joe
Click to expand...

History is riddled with accidental discoveries of goodies. You know, const. workers digging, gardeners tilling, a housewife pulling weeds, etc.... But as for a "database", in const. projects (even "government ones) no, why would there be any such thing? That wasn't the point of their road work or whatever they were working on. So why would anyone need to catologue or data-base it? I work (via my company) on govt. const. projects. And if I, or anyone around me, found a jar of gold coins, what do you think would happen to it ?
 

Pick up a copy of American Coin Hoards & Treasures by Q David Bowers. It's a pretty large book and pricey to beat, but quite interesting. On a personal note, they dug up a parking lot not far from my house over the summer and I found a 1782 2 Reale, an 1817 and 1820 large cent and an old constables badge. Yes, there are a lot of treasures discovered during road construction or old house renovation.
 

No, there aren't many "treasures" found by construction crews. They aren't sifting through the dirt they move, they scrape and dig out huge amounts of soil and dump it into trucks to be hauled off to land fills. They could dig up a huge bucket of silver and gold, but unless it broke open and coins started spilling out they would never know.
 

I liken finding treasure hoards to playing the power ball lottery. Yes some folks win big, but the vast majority just spend their hard-earned cash and never get their just rewards. Personally, I got really lucky the other day, and came home with $16 worth of clad. That's about enough to buy 3 months worth of batteries! I feel blessed!
 

Alan Applegate said:
I liken finding treasure hoards to playing the power ball lottery. Yes some folks win big, but the vast majority just spend their hard-earned cash and never get their just rewards. Personally, I got really lucky the other day, and came home with $16 worth of clad. That's about enough to buy 3 months worth of batteries! I feel blessed!
Click to expand...

3 months worth of batts for 16 bucks...man I miss my old detector, the minelab I have eats that in a week or less...cry lol
 

BC1969 said:
3 months worth of batts for 16 bucks...man I miss my old detector, the minelab I have eats that in a week or less...cry lol
Click to expand...

If you aren't using rechargeable batteries, you need to get your head checked!
 

Yeah this probably wasnt the best question to ask but oh well. There are a few local caches I was hunting and was thinking yyyeeeaaaahhhh, these have been found already as there are manholes and drains every xx feet. Not to mention roads really close by. Do'h!! thanks for replies anyways
 

This is a very good question that I have wondered about myself. I have a local library account so I am able to reference pretty much all the Sanborn maps for my state. When I compare where turn of the century hotels, houses etc. are to current Mapquest photos those areas are now under parking lots mostly or under gas stations and newer roads.
 

yes pretty much answered above, construction Crews are not paid to look what
pops out the ground. Just to do their Work.
If someone were to accidentally see a treasure it would be
Celebrated in private over Beers.
Anything that brings a stop to work, Brings a stop to pay Checks.

If you were under contract to Build a Highway, would you want to stop for a
Makeshift rain Dance, Tree huggers Convention, or Archaeological Dig ?
 

Last edited:
possibly a rain dance but definitely not the other two.
 

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