🥇 BANNER This could have been a once in a lifetime hunt!

Jamesbondaka

Sr. Member
Mar 18, 2010
378
303
Portland, Oregon/ I travel
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
V3i xlt dfx gmt mxt f75 Exp SE ace 150 Umax etrac goldmaster coinmaster Cz-5 Cz-3D Goldengate 3D BH 300 ctx 3030 jeohunter
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
This could have been a once in a lifetime hunt! MORE FOUND

4 Part Story with 4 different hunts with more treasure and pics ......maybe more soon!

A friend of mine said he had a day free so, we set up a hunt. I knew of a very large park yet to be explored by either of us. We hunted for several hours and got about 15 coins or so...it was so clean and not even one pull tab!
We gave up on it and decided to go have lunch. After, my friend Danny said he had a little time but not much as he had a football game to watch. We headed to a new site that Danny got permission to hunt. When we arrived at the home site and were surprised to find a demolished house, everything was gone! Pushed up and the burn piles were still smoldering! Debris strewn all over the lot like a tornado just blew thru. The bulldozer left piles of earth with a mixture of insulation, old wiring, nails, glass and the fall leaves. Everthing had changed! I think most people would have just driven away but since we didn't have much time, we decided to make the best of this "war" zone. I was thinking..."what did Danny bring me to"? We hunted for a short time and Danny found a hot spot for pennies, a lot wheat backs. He invited me to hunt with him but I said, "thats your spot". He insisted and I started digging up a few wheat backs. I was a bit tired at that point so decided to leave him and venture on. I headed to another area about 75 feet away. I got decent tones but all trash mostly. I really expected the detector screen to say, "Enough already"! or "No More"! Tons of iron, pipes, wires and just your run of mill....trash. It was driving me crazy! Several times I was 2 seconds away from going to the semi manicured lawn next to where we were hunting. I kinda had enough. The day was fun but it wasnt very productive. Danny headed my way and he told me he got a bunch of pennies. He asked how I was doing and I said not too good but this signal I just got sounded good. It was dollar range signal! I dug down a few inches and up popped 3 pennies, all together. I said just old pennies. I checked the hole again...I still got the dollar signal. It was a good signal but not too deep and not very strong. Probably some kind of trash. I told Danny, it was a good steady signal....lets hope! Wow, up popped the unmistakable look of a silver dollar! I didnt touch it. I said to my friend....you WONT believe this! YOU WONT BELIEVE THIS! Hes looking at me puzzled and I pointed at the hole.
A nice 1921 morgan silver dollar was peeking at us. The iron & trash etc was trying to null out and confuse the signal.
I didn't know this day would EVER happen. Ive known of people hunting 30 years to only find 1 dollar. Ive been doing this about 3 years. Its my lucky day! Danny gave me the high 5 and took some pics. We started hunting again and Danny and got some more wheat backs. About 5 minutes later, I got another signal. Up pops another! I yelled at Danny, another one!!! Hes saying wow...its your lucky day. It was! Then, Danny got a signal. He probes it and I can see the shine from 10 feet away. He scores a very nice dollar in a plastic pouch. High 5 again and pics. He is beaming and I was happy for him. WE continued to hunt. I'm getting multiple signals all over the place. I'm pulling up wheat pennies as fast as I can unearth them. Lots of them! Then, I get 3 signals all in a 2 foot radius. One silver dollar, then another... then a third! I am exstatic! 20 minutes ago, I'm almost ready to pack it in. Now, I'm plucking 5 silver dollars and lots of wheat backs like a crazy person. Danny gets another dollar, then a Franklin half. There were so many wheats that I would probe the signal with my pinpointer...set it down...and it would beep again. So, I would move it....and it would continue to beep again....Coins everywhere! I continue to pull up 2 more dollars and Danny has several halfs. You have NO idea whats coming...and neither did I. I got a silver tone...moved a small amount of dirt and I instantly new what I had. Now, with 7 silver dollars and hundred or two of wheat pennies, I yelled at Danny again. Can you believe a 10 oz silver bar???....in the wrapper. Danny could not believe it and I was almost speechless. It was now dark and we continue to hunt continuing to pull up mostly wheat backs but a occasional silver. We searched in the dark using mostly just the light from our probes. It was almost a frenzy. All in all, Danny missed his game by about 5 hours. I think he can live with that. I know I can! I walked out with 287 pennies, 1 franklin half, 10 oz bar of pure .999 silver AND 10 Silver dollars. Danny got several dozens wheat backs, 2 Silver dollars, 7 halfs and two nice tokens yet to be identified.
Wow, what a day!!! In general, it was a nice day. No rain, if there was, we wouldn't have hunted. I would not have ever found this stuff if Danny did not take me there. I don't think we would have found all we did if I hadn't decided to keep looking in such a trashy area. So, we would both be nowhere without each others help. Happened on my departed Dads birthday too...Thanks for the inspiration! This might have been once in a lifetime experience and I will never forget it.
I hope WE have some good luck again... as I do everyone, so don't give up and who knows maybe you will have some silver in your future and turn your trash ...into Treasure!
 

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Upvote 67

MUD(S.W.A.T)

Gold Member
Apr 15, 2005
8,003
897
Location: Undisclosed
Detector(s) used
I use, Whites MXT and Garrett AT Pro.
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I'd say banner !!
What's greater than the finds, is how you shared the spoils like you did !!
Congratulations to you both !!
 

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freddy williams

Hero Member
Oct 9, 2010
882
92
Alabama/ Ohio
Detector(s) used
GTI-2500, Whites V3, xplorer XS Cortes & XLT Cibola Tesoro Tiger shark Now using a Xterra 705, Ace 350...
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
that was defientantly the hunt of a lifetime it almost is better than finding gold except if the gold was as much in the onces as the silver you dug HH congrats
 

OP
OP
Jamesbondaka

Jamesbondaka

Sr. Member
Mar 18, 2010
378
303
Portland, Oregon/ I travel
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
V3i xlt dfx gmt mxt f75 Exp SE ace 150 Umax etrac goldmaster coinmaster Cz-5 Cz-3D Goldengate 3D BH 300 ctx 3030 jeohunter
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Good luck, and please sure what I hope is another great day!

Thanks Mud and Fred!

Grant,

Youve written some nice comments....I think you "might" be writing one more! Its kinda late so stay tuned.... check this post tomorrow...I think you will like what you hear....and see.
 

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Bev

Sr. Member
Mar 2, 2012
299
174
New England
Detector(s) used
Garrett At Pro
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Maybe you should just buy the lot. That way you have you're very own personal treasure hunting playground!
 

granthansen

Bronze Member
May 16, 2012
1,474
555
New Jersey
Detector(s) used
Minelab CTX 3030, Garrett Ace 350, Fisher CZ-21, Garrett Pro Pointer
Primary Interest:
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Jamesbondaka said:
Thanks Mud and Fred!

Grant,

You written some nice comments....I think you "might" be writing one more! Its kinda late so stay tuned.... check this post tomorrow...I think you will like what you hear....and see.

What a tease.
 

AC1955

Bronze Member
Apr 22, 2012
1,149
350
New Hampshire & Maine
Detector(s) used
V3i, Excalibur II, White's M6, Coinmaster, Teknetics EurotekPro, White's Surfmaster PI
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Yup, hunt of a lifetime! Congrats! :wav: :wav:

The 10 oz silver bar is worth around $3,200 with today's silver prices!

Hope your streak of luck continues.

HH,
Anita
 

Grizzly13

Full Member
Sep 22, 2012
156
46
Eastern PA
Detector(s) used
Minelab E-Trac/Sunray Probe. Garrett 2500/garrett Pro-pointer
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
James, if you hadnt found those coins they were gone forever ! History! Arevederchy ! I pretty much hunt all old homesteads that are still being lived in and they never want any part of my finds. But if I found a cache on property that was currently being resided in I would say something :( I Think :) because like I said at the beginning, it would have never been recovered if it wasnt for you and your bud. Certainly a house that has been bulldozed over the people were done with it! So as I see it GOOD FOR YOU GUYS ! People are jeloooooouuuus. The only bad thing is that you just probably shot your w--d on this hunt and you will never see another like that one ! : ) Seriously you need not explain yourself ! I personally Thank You for the story, the photos and the time you put into all of this. Awesome ! Grizzly from PA
 

xsully777

Greenie
Dec 21, 2010
19
32
St. Paul
Detector(s) used
Etrac
I'm no expert, but I think the reason all of your steel pennies are fused together is because they were coated in zinc. Zinc is used as a sacrificial anode to prevent corrosion of steel on ships. The reason behind this is electrolysis and zinc is more susceptable than steel so it corrodes or gets eaten away first. So I'm assuming with an acidic or basic ground and the fact that you had dissimilar metals together in that solution the zinc would get stripped off slowly and hence start a welding action. but as I stated I'm no expert and I don't want to get questioned by all the questioners on here who need to have the obvious explained to them ten times.
 

OP
OP
Jamesbondaka

Jamesbondaka

Sr. Member
Mar 18, 2010
378
303
Portland, Oregon/ I travel
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
V3i xlt dfx gmt mxt f75 Exp SE ace 150 Umax etrac goldmaster coinmaster Cz-5 Cz-3D Goldengate 3D BH 300 ctx 3030 jeohunter
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
What a tease.

Sorry, for that. I just have time to check my email. We are heading to go there again. Its aways away...but I think you will say it was worth the trip again. I will be posting later today with pics!
 

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OP
OP
Jamesbondaka

Jamesbondaka

Sr. Member
Mar 18, 2010
378
303
Portland, Oregon/ I travel
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
V3i xlt dfx gmt mxt f75 Exp SE ace 150 Umax etrac goldmaster coinmaster Cz-5 Cz-3D Goldengate 3D BH 300 ctx 3030 jeohunter
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Bev quote>Maybe you should just buy the lot. That way you have you're very own personal treasure hunting playground!<end quote


If it wasnt already sold...I would consider it.
 

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Erik in NJ

Silver Member
Oct 4, 2010
4,037
3,043
The Garden State
🥇 Banner finds
1
Detector(s) used
Minelab Explorer SE Pro & CTX-3030
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Uhhhh, being they were steel and in the ground, it would seem it's much more likely they just rusted. Coated in zinc???? ???

I'm no expert, but I think the reason all of your steel pennies are fused together is because they were coated in zinc. Zinc is used as a sacrificial anode to prevent corrosion of steel on ships. The reason behind this is electrolysis and zinc is more susceptable than steel so it corrodes or gets eaten away first. So I'm assuming with an acidic or basic ground and the fact that you had dissimilar metals together in that solution the zinc would get stripped off slowly and hence start a welding action.

Huh?? Seven posts under your belt and you are making statements like this?!?!
I don't want to get questioned by all the questioners on here who need to have the obvious explained to them ten times.
 

Silver Searcher

Gold Member
Sep 27, 2006
10,386
2,657
UK
🥇 Banner finds
1
Detector(s) used
XP Deus
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Uhhhh, being they were steel and in the ground, it would seem it's much more likely they just rusted. Coated in zinc???? ???



Huh?? Seven posts under your belt and you are making statements like this?!?!
How many posts doe's he need, posts don't make you anymore clever.:icon_scratch:

SS
 

Bev

Sr. Member
Mar 2, 2012
299
174
New England
Detector(s) used
Garrett At Pro
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I wouldnt put much weight into the number of posts someone has. I had to delete my old ID because of an issue and started a new one when I felt it was ok.
Some people have a lot of knowledge but dont need to post to prove it.
Can we be nice now please? Let's focus on the great find and go back to being envious!
 

kam50

Sr. Member
Mar 7, 2009
252
83
Canton,Ohio
Detector(s) used
Fisher F2 Garrett Pro pointer
Minelab X-Terra 305 Garrett pro pointer(Fake one got ripped off!)
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Great hunt!!
 

Twitch

Silver Member
Feb 1, 2010
2,877
2,333
Missouri
I'm not complaining, I'm trying to understand. What about the find has prevented it from hitting the banner already? Not trying to be confrontational, but this seems like quite an exceptional find and banner worthy. Generally 20 oz's of coins and bullion should be good enough. If someone can present the counter-banner stance I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.
 

OP
OP
Jamesbondaka

Jamesbondaka

Sr. Member
Mar 18, 2010
378
303
Portland, Oregon/ I travel
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
V3i xlt dfx gmt mxt f75 Exp SE ace 150 Umax etrac goldmaster coinmaster Cz-5 Cz-3D Goldengate 3D BH 300 ctx 3030 jeohunter
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
(quote) The only bad thing is that you just probably shot your w--d on this hunt and you will never see another like that one ! : ) Seriously you need not explain yourself ! I personally Thank You for the story, the photos and the time you put into all of this. Awesome ! Grizzly from PA[/QUOTE]

Thank you!

Normally very true......but I will let you be the judge. Pics and story on the way...as soon as I can get em posted.
 

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OP
OP
Jamesbondaka

Jamesbondaka

Sr. Member
Mar 18, 2010
378
303
Portland, Oregon/ I travel
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
V3i xlt dfx gmt mxt f75 Exp SE ace 150 Umax etrac goldmaster coinmaster Cz-5 Cz-3D Goldengate 3D BH 300 ctx 3030 jeohunter
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
We headed out to the site again...it was a very overcast day with some chance of rain.

We started hunting again...about 20 mins into the hunt....Danny says hey look at this. Hes got a decent shape 1909 barber quarter. Wowwwww...the oldest coin so far on the site was 1911 so it was great that he got it.
We continued to hunt....got a few more wheats and steel pennies. I decided to head over to an area about 20 feet or so from where we found most of the silver. I got a deep tone that bounced a bit from high to midrange. I had to check this one out. Glad we had the big shovels as there about 10 3/8" roots to dig thru. Checked the hole and the signal was stronger. Pinpointer says target in the hole. I got my lesche and was digging outwards to avoid damaging anything in the hole. Lets see, at this location, Ive been fooled about......100 times with all the trash & old iron! I can almost see the rusted pop can in the hole.... About 9-10 inches down....I can see some silver.....I think....or is that aluminum? I yelled at Danny....I said, something good here but not sure what it is...come check it out . Come to find out.....it wasnt a aluminum can or EVEN a Silver dollar... IT WAS 20 Silver Dollars!!! Dannys in shock and I have a smile from here to the east coast. He took pics and I gently tried to open the container. It finally opened and sure enough 20 Silver Dollars spilled out into my hands. Dumbfounded, we really didnt look at the coins. Danny took a nice shot of the new coins and I put them back in the container and we theorized how they got there. UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!!! So, not only did I get 287 wheat back pennies(some steel) 1 franklin half dollar, 10 Silver Dollars & a 10 oz .999 pure Silver Bar.....NOW....Ive got 20 MORE Silver Dollars complete with its own carrying case. 30 Silver Dollars total!

We went to a local detectorist meeting after the hunt. Danny was telling the story about me finding the 10 silver dollars on a previous hunt...and then he said, "heres the bad part'....and I took the container with 20 more Silver dollars out of my pocket. Absolute dead silence! I got lots of nice comments from the members and they are a nice group.

You just never know when this might happen to you!
 

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