Finding gold coins

[Surfline]

Thought I would chime in on finding gold coins and what I’ve heard over the years.

First, I’m still looking forward to finding my first gold coin. I know it’s rare.

Based on various sources, gold coins have been found at the following: small denomination in SouthEastern PA, New Jersey Shore from shipwrecks (2 accounts), Delaware coast, FL treasure coast, shipwrecks/underwater, Western US/ghost towns.

As mentioned, I have never found one in a farm field, beach, or desert.

Happy to hear any stories. Specific locations of course not needed!!

-Surfline

 

[pepperj]

England 2013 farm field 50 BC Stater
2013 Ontario Farm field.

🥇 BANNER - The best day ever! GOLD COIN!

Went on a road trip today to get some detecting in. About 60 miles across country to the permissions. 6 sites were planted in winter wheat. 2 sites in a 1 foot plow, and 1 site partially cropped. So first target after 30 minutes 1867-1967 penny I said that needs to a 100 yrs older. 1.5 hrs...

www.treasurenet.com

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Well you should be mindful of the fact that prior to the gold rush, the US did not really have very many gold coins. So, the age of the areas you detect is important.

Places where large sums of money were exchanged are good places to search.
Places where people were intoxicated and loose with their money. Places where folks stashed their savings during times where banks were not trusted.

 

[Sandog]

On the Treasure Coast gold and silver coins were found originally by Kip Wagner in the late 50's while beachcombing. (Hard to believe that in the last 200+ years after the original salvage no one else found a few) That lead to the underwater and shipwreck finds. No doubt there were more than one stash on land. And no doubt there is a good chance some are covered by modern construction. There may even be some that have gone unreported. Will we keep hoping. Absolutely!

 

[xr7ator]

I read in a detector magazine years ago about some avid searchers doing research to specifically find gold coins. They managed to find a story about a horse or dog track that had opened and they were using or giving out the brand new one dollar gold coins in change at the time. They managed to find the closed and abandoned area and were successful finding some of the little charms.

 

[Surfline]

Well you should be mindful of the fact that prior to the gold rush, the US did not really have very many gold coins. So, the age of the areas you detect is important.

Places where large sums of money were exchanged are good places to search.
Places where people were intoxicated and loose with their money. Places where folks stashed their savings during times where banks were not trusted.

Excellent point. Some of the gold coins I mentioned that others have found include gold rise guineas from shipwrecks and I believe a gold French coin. All Atlantic/East coast finds. And of course Spanish early 1700s. The American gold I’ve heard of has been out West.

On the Treasure Coast gold and silver coins were found originally by Kip Wagner in the late 50's while beachcombing. (Hard to believe that in the last 200+ years after the original salvage no one else found a few) That lead to the underwater and shipwreck finds. No doubt there were more than one stash on land. And no doubt there is a good chance some are covered by modern construction. There may even be some that have gone unreported.

Yes this is absolutely possible.

 

[Surfline]

I read in a detector magazine years ago about some avid searchers doing research to specifically find gold coins. They managed to find a story about a horse or dog track that had opened and they were using or giving out the brand new one dollar gold coins in change at the time. They managed to find the closed and abandoned area and were successful finding some of the little charms.

Interesting story! The big US gold coin hauls I can remember in recent history are the Saddle Ridge Hoard, Kentucky hoard, and SS Central America.

 

[tamrock]

That be cool you get up one morning and say By God I'm gonna go hunt for some gold coins and then you find half a dozen just hiding there under the ground.

 

[sprailroad]

You will only find them where they are. Sounds stupid I know. The ONLY one I ever found was down in a type of canyon, where a gold camp had been 1850's-60's and some after. It was purely by chance, I just happened to swing a coil could be 4" more to the left and BINGO. Thought it was going to be a musket ball, (A $10 1854 S ) was way better. Wave action, forest burns dirt grading homesteads travel routes etc. etc. It could happen. That climb out of that canyon was killer on my legs I tell you what. I said no more going down there. I said that 4 more times after each descent. Stubborn s.o.b. I can be.

 

[tamrock]

I read in an old Lost Treasure magazine about hunting the old lumber camps that supported the mines with timber props and building materials. It mentioned the lumbermen didn't partake in the lude activities like the miners would typically do spending it all from payday to payday. It said the lumbermen preferred to stay in the camps and not waist away their hard earned pay on gambling and drinking. It mentioned they would preferred building up their savings with $2.50 and $5.00 gold coins and hide them in the camps, rather than put it in a bank. I don't know how true that is, but it sounded like a good lead to me when I read it.

 

[Surfline]

I read in an old Lost Treasure magazine about hunting the old lumber camps that supported the mines with timber props and building materials. It mentioned the lumbermen didn't partake in the lude activities like the miners would typically do spending it all from payday to payday. It said the lumbermen preferred to stay in the camps and not waist away their hard earned pay on gambling and drinking. It mentioned they would preferred building up their savings with $2.50 and $5.00 gold coins and hide them in the camps, rather than put it in a bank. I don't know how true that is, but it sounded like a good lead to me when I read it.

This is interesting. First time hearing this story.

 

[ToddsPoint]

My only luck with gold coins is hunting on eBay.😜

 

[Surfline]

My only luck with gold coins is hunting on eBay.😜

Yes, easier to buy than find! One day it will happen!