My first metal detecting hunt

[GirlWithWolf]

Went on my first hunt today and it was cut short because we had to make an emergency trip to Texas, but I managed to find several coins, a rusty old knife, and a wallet with a metal tag (land owner knows the family of who the wallet belongs to, his decades old drivers license was in it, so he is returning it to them).

I got them cleaned up the best I can while on this unexpected road trip. It was so much fun and thank you to all that gave me advice and encouragement! I can’t wait to do it again.

 

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[releventchair]

As I told a buddy who killed a 150” Nc whitetail on his first trip (borrowed camo, shells and bucket from me)……sell everything hunting related and take up fishing or golf. Only one way to go from here.

Ya. Some people make it hard to brag about past success with.
L.o.l.

 

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[GirlWithWolf]

Thanks all! I’m definitely addicted and ready to get my own detector. I’m going to see if the guy I borrowed it from will let me take his to the reservation when I go in a couple of weeks. Near there I hope to find some great stuff.

A couple of questions-

I used peroxide, Crest toothpaste, and vinegar to clean them. I know I probably should have asked first. 🙄 What can I use to clean them or should I leave them as is?

Is there a guess of how long they might have been in the ground? All were very shallow, one just barely covered with grass. I would think (short of the nickel) they’d look worse if they had been there long.

The knife @Blackfoot58 I kind of got it open but it is rusted bad and sharpened no telling how many times, there’s not much blade left. I can barely make out an inscription but can’t read it and tried a crayon over paper but can’t get a good press on it. We’ll work on it.

 

[releventchair]

Thanks all! I’m definitely addicted and ready to get my own detector. I’m going to see if the guy I borrowed it from will let me take his to the reservation when I go in a couple of weeks. Near there I hope to find some great stuff.

A couple of questions-

I used peroxide, Crest toothpaste, and vinegar to clean them. I know I probably should have asked first. 🙄 What can I use to clean them or should I leave them as is?

Is there a guess of how long they might have been in the ground? All were very shallow, one just barely covered with grass. I would think (short of the nickel) they’d look worse if they had been there long.

The knife @Blackfoot58 I kind of got it open but it is rusted bad and sharpened no telling how many times, there’s not much blade left. I can barely make out an inscription but can’t read it and tried a crayon over paper but can’t get a good press on it. We’ll work on it.

A vinegar bath might help the knife.

Coins get scratched by trying to clean them usually.
Scratches reduce value to collectors and coin dealers usually.

They are your coins.
Andre is one kind of coin cleaning pencils that get decent reviews.
Often finders use a toothpick.

IF you might have a real valuable coin , leave it alone and research potential buyers and what they want. First thing a buyer said to me when magnifying a particular silver was that it was scratched. (No he didn't gain possession of it.)
My common coins, especially cents...Get a soft toothbrush and dish soap cleaning. Yes that is naughty if the future holds any potential sale of such.

Some of my silver finds get a electrolysis bath using a CD player power supply and a plastic coffee tub. Yes that is naughty, blah blah blah. They are my silvers now! Mine! i'll ruin them if I want!
They look so nice all shiny.

Don't do that with old corroded Indian Head Cents though. Unless you like sandstone. ( This I know .)

In the field is where coins can get scratched the most. Rubbing them to try to see them better is not easy to resist. But scratches them.
I carry a pill bottle with paper towel or cotton from a pill bottle for padding in it my finds pouch/nail apron.
Potential old coins go in left unmolested until water can rinse .

 

[GirlWithWolf]

A vinegar bath might help the knife.

Coins get scratched by trying to clean them usually.
Scratches reduce value to collectors and coin dealers usually.

They are your coins.
Andre is one kind of coin cleaning pencils that get decent reviews.
Often finders use a toothpick.

IF you might have a real valuable coin , leave it alone and research potential buyers and what they want. First thing a buyer said to me when magnifying a particular silver was that it was scratched. (No he didn't gain possession of it.)
My common coins, especially cents...Get a soft toothbrush and dish soap cleaning. Yes that is naughty if the future holds any potential sale of such.

Some of my silver finds get a electrolysis bath using a CD player power supply and a plastic coffee tub. Yes that is naughty, blah blah blah. They are my silvers now! Mine! i'll ruin them if I want!
They look so nice all shiny.

Don't do that with old corroded Indian Head Cents though. Unless you like sandstone. ( This I know .)

In the field is where coins can get scratched the most. Rubbing them to try to see them better is not easy to resist. But scratches them.
I carry a pill bottle with paper towel or cotton from a pill bottle for padding in it my finds pouch/nail apron.
Potential old coins go in left unmolested until water can rinse .

Great information, thank you.

 

[Trezurehunter]

I'd say you did very well on the coins.

 

[CreekSide]

Awesome
Some nice silver in that pile. I’m hoping my 1st is half that good

 

[iAmMike]

Wow, you had a fantastic first hunt! A silver half and a war nickel - that's a great haul! Don't be so modest.

 

[Limitool]

Damn lady... One hell of a hunt and first haul. Many of us have come a lot shorter then that...! You did absolutely great lady.

 

[RVRoamer74]

Excellent outing. Congrats on some super nice finds.

 

[demano]

Great finds, this hobby is addictive and rewarding. Congrats

 

[ArfieBoy]

Wow! Girl, you had a fantastic hunt. You done good! Congratulations on the old pennies and the silver half and the war nickel which, by the way also has some silver in it! Congratulations on your first metal detecting adventure! And, also, Thanks for helping out a veteran, this being Veterans Day today!

 

[GirlWithWolf]

Wow, you had a fantastic first hunt! A silver half and a war nickel - that's a great haul! Don't be so modest.

It’s easy to be modest when I have no clue what I found haha. I’ll do some more reading when I get time.

And, also, Thanks for helping out a veteran, this being Veterans Day today!

Thank you, it was all my dad and I was just along for the ride (I got dropped at Walmart near his house). I’ll pass the word.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Finding a 35% Silver war nickel and a Silver half, on your first hunt are outstanding most people go years before they find their first, so you are killing it with bucket list finds. A gold coin is your next bucket lister I hope. Way to go.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

The safest thing you can do is NEVER clean a Silver coin.
Silver is softer metal and scratches very easily.
A lot of us carry small (only 2 or 3 oz.) spray bottles of water with us on a hunt to loosen any dirt on Silver coins.
Keep in mind ... once you clean a coin - it can't be undone !

Also, it's a good idea to have a copy of the "Coin Red Book".
I always keep a copy in my metal detecting gear box to ID finds in the field.
Only around $15.00 on-line or in a local coin shop.

Welcome to a great hobby and Good Hunting !

 

[GaRebel1861]

Any time you get a silver half it is a good day! I've been hunting since 1977 and have found two (1919 & 1941) Congratulations on the finds.

 

[oldmxrat]

Holy cow, a walker the first time out? Just go ahead and drop the mic!
I hope your beginner's luck keeps up for awhile, congrats!

 

[Chilli]

Thanks all! I’m definitely addicted and ready to get my own detector. I’m going to see if the guy I borrowed it from will let me take his to the reservation when I go in a couple of weeks. Near there I hope to find some great stuff.

A couple of questions-

I used peroxide, Crest toothpaste, and vinegar to clean them. I know I probably should have asked first. 🙄 What can I use to clean them or should I leave them as is?

Is there a guess of how long they might have been in the ground? All were very shallow, one just barely covered with grass. I would think (short of the nickel) they’d look worse if they had been there long.

The knife @Blackfoot58 I kind of got it open but it is rusted bad and sharpened no telling how many times, there’s not much blade left. I can barely make out an inscription but can’t read it and tried a crayon over paper but can’t get a good press on it. We’ll work on it.

Hi, eeeek!!! yeah those are the things id never let near a find.
My first go to is a heat bath. Big mug of just water, give it 5 minutes in the microwave then stand back as you drop in the find. I use that to clean nuggets and specimens too. When you drop them in the water erupts and can take of a significant amount of built up hardened dirt without the need to lift a finger.

 

[Almy]

Great pictures and clear and articulate writeup. I'm at the time and age where one or two finds on a hunt satisfy me. Now I hunt vicariously a lot, and your post gave me a nice one! Thank you and please keep us informed of your progress.

 

[iAmMike]

It’s easy to be modest when I have no clue what I found haha. I’ll do some more reading when I get time.

You need to go back to that same location. All of your finds were really great and being that 1) it was your first hunt and 2) a quick hunt at that, there is a good chance there are many more treasures to be dug there. Good luck & thanks for sharing.

 

[GirlWithWolf]

Thanks again to everyone that responded. I appreciate it, and to the ones giving advice I'm listening to every word.

@iAmMike - I am definitely going back. I know it was beginners luck and won't expect the same every time, but the land does have a lot of history (settlers, outlaws, ndns, etc).