Half dollar poppin

bigealive · Sep 7, 2009

Half dollar poppin'

On Sunday afternoon, I was out and about, as always looking for a good place to hunt. I like to cruise the countryside and find a farmhouse to hunt and that is what I did. Went to the door and asked permission. The farmer said "I always wanted to get into detecting but never got around to it so Go Right Ahead" I grabbed the machine, fired it up and with the farmer at my side set off.
We didn't make it ten feet and ding " good signal, 6-8 inches, coin size target, and reading 50 cents. I, kindof, laughed and told the farmer "It doesn't always tell the truth", I explained as I started digging,"but can't pass up the chance of it being a coin." Dug the plug, popped the plug, pin pointed it, and dug another 3-4 inches and out pops a Barber Half from 1910 (mintage 418,551)
Well at this point I thought "ooooohhhhh ssshhhhiiii....." I took a quick peek at it and handed it to the farmer hoping I was playing it cool and started swinging again. About 30 seconds later, he gets my attention and hands me the coin and says "I will tell you what, the coin is your's to keep but that is enough here". I smiled and asked him if he was serious. "Ya you should leave!"
The farmer wasn't being rude but that was that he had seen enough. Enough to get his own detector or that was what he told me as he walked with me to my truck. I guess the moral of this story is that when you have company don't dig the really good signals until they get bored with it and leave. I am really happy to have the Half but it leaves me wondering how many more coins were in this farm house/yard. Maybe, he won't get a detector and I can out live him

?
Good Hunting Everyone, Todd H.

tomharris76 · Sep 7, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Nice dig. That sucks about the farmer.

nova · Sep 7, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Well at least he let you keep it. It could of went both ways. Anyhow that is always a blow when the owner follows. Don't mind sharing my finds with property owners but I am particular at what I want to share. When they follow it makes it hard.

spartacus53 · Sep 7, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Welcome to T-Net and congrats on that find :icon_thumleft:

At least you got one great coin for the day :headbang:

Drennanami · Sep 7, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Awsome Half :headbang:

wingmaster · Sep 7, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Awesome find there bummer about the short hunt though,seems lots of people wont give permission cause they dont want anybody to get something nice off thier property even though they will never get a detector and learn how to use it they would rather it rot in the ground then let someone else dig it up.

DPBOB · Sep 7, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Great story and some good advise for the future...

A Big Congrats.....

crazyjarhead · Sep 7, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

I wouldn't want anyone by my side while detecting. I guess he wanted it for hinself. Too bad. At least he gave it to you

artzstuff1 · Sep 7, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Wow ,,!!! what can ya say kind of a wierd situation,,, $:-\$ to bad ,,,,oh well,,, theres more spots, bet he will never buy a detector!!

If he does it will end up in the closet like 90% of the rest of them!!!! nice half,,, good hunt,,, thanks for sharin

arthur

jgas · Sep 7, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Yep nice job on the half. Great advice on not digging the good ones while the owner is in tow....jgas

bigealive · Sep 9, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Thanks for the replies. I drive by that place almost everyday. I have even thought about a midnight hunt out there without my scooper but too risky and I am not like that (besides get caught doing that the door would be shut to me for miles around) Anyways, I guess I will chalk it up to the one that kind of got away. Todd H.

allen · Sep 9, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

good job on that big silver :thumbsup:

really sucks the farmer did you like that :icon_scratch:

hikeinmts · Sep 9, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Great (sad) story. You did everything right.....it just went sour, that's all.
That is a good bit of info for you and the rest of the THers.....should have just walked away, tried to find some can slaw,
and waited until he got tired of seeing you dig up bean cans and broken harmonica pieces. Then, retrace the steps, and
dig what you left.
I think the farmer will probably buy a detector, but will not use it but once or twice, pretty well tear up his front yard finding
nothing of value, and will wish he had your name and number to show him how to do it properly.
And, you are right for NOT DOING any night fishing on his property. You want to find the shotgun casing, not have your
wife digging the pellets out of "who knows where" on your body. :help:

Other days, other farms.

Mr Tuff · Sep 9, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

nice barber :icon_thumright:

fistfulladirt · Sep 9, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Ya did the right thing Todd, but what else could you do with the owner observing! And that could also be the only good thing in the yard. Chalk it up to experience. ffd

txpathfinder · Sep 9, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

My advice is take the high road. No regrets. You didn't waste much time and the man whose property it was kept his part of the bargain when he gave you the coin to keep.

SilverFinger · Sep 9, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Ouch! Nice find. I'd be bummin' about the farmer though. Ya can't help but wonder what other treasures are in there.

I hope you got the farmers phone number or he got yours. He might be thinkin' he's gonna buy himself one of them fancy 39 dollar metal detectin' machines at Radio Shack and find it all! 'sides, it's HIS prop-ty so whatever's there is ALL HIS.

Wait 'til he realizes there's a lot of skill involved - maybe he'll call you to come back and you can split the finds.

treasurehound · Sep 10, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Great story. Unfortunate ending. One suggestion if you are on speaking terms with him is to get an extra detector and see if he will let you teach him to hunt. It could be a way to go back politely and you both could come out with nice finds. If not, you at least got a nice coin and practice on getting permission for future hunts.

bigealive · Sep 13, 2009

I got a call back

I was at church this morning and ran into the farmer and his wife. He told me his decided not to spend money of a detector so I am welcome back out to the site on Monday or Tuesday night so I am excited to get the chance. Wish me luck....

Bell-Two · Sep 13, 2009

Re: Half dollar poppin'

Isn't it amazing, you did the right thing and at first you seem to be punished because you did, but then it seems to always work out. Even if he never let you back in you know in your own mind and heart you were being honorable. It is nice to find a honorable man anytime you come across one in life. Good hunting!