My first coin ever!

wildheart · Mar 21, 2009

Okay, after looking at some of the awesome stuff posted today, this is pretty lame. but I'm a newb and this was only my second day out hunting because our ground here in PA just thawed out recently. So, took my new Xmas present (Ace 250) out for a spin. And here's today's total: One old, really heavy screw-on gas cap of some sort; a lead-and-rubber sinker; a lead casting weight; an old cut nail; a brass shell casing; my first ever coin, a 2000 Rosie dime; and some weird kind of slag or a piece of ore. Plus 4 pull tabs, 3 aluminum bottle caps, 2 pop tops from some kinda cans, and the plug end of a small fluorescent bulb (not shown).

No idea what the slag thing is, but it set my Ace to beeping something nuts. I'm still getting used to the Ace's signals. Had it set for coins only when I found all of this stuff. The slag sent the indicator flying like it was having a seizure between a dime and a quarter, but the signal was a definite hard chirp. It looks like it contains some kind of fossil shapes, but I'm no expert and can't be sure.

Anyway, I'm including the whole spread plus some detail shots. If anyone has any ideas about what the mystery lump is (I show it from 3 different angles, and you can see where my digger hit it), I'd sure appreciate hearing about it.

wildheart · Mar 22, 2009

Thanks again, everybody - and for the long advice, Frodov! I ended up going to a local playground instead of the church. The one bummer with the church is that they paved it all over with asphalt a few years ago, so the really good places -- all around the building, especially -- are lost forever. But I have been digging around trees and near the cemetery wall. Stopped last week because everything was reading at 8+ inches, and I didn't have a big enough digging tool Fixed THAT today, but decided to try the playground anyway, because it was almost empty. Paid off -- I got two more coins (clad, but still gave me a charge) and some junk. Here the coins are: a 1981 Rosie and a 1989 nickel. There's so much iron in our soil that I thought the dime was a penny at first.

crazyjarhead · Mar 23, 2009

It's all about the sport. Nice start, keep at it :thumbsup:

Nana40 · Mar 23, 2009

Congrats on those firsts, WH! :icon_sunny:

Nana

MiniMe · Mar 23, 2009

Looks like you had a great day. :thumbsup:

I'm new too...went out the first time with my 250 this past weekend, had a great time. I found that nickle signal also brings a lot of tin too, lol. Can't wait to see more of your posts. HH

mlayers · Mar 23, 2009

WTG on your first finds. More will come as you get used to your machine. Keep it up and happy hunting...Matt

Frodov · Mar 23, 2009

wildheart said:
Thanks again, everybody - and for the long advice, Frodov! I ended up going to a local playground instead of the church. The one bummer with the church is that they paved it all over with asphalt a few years ago, so the really good places -- all around the building, especially -- are lost forever. But I have been digging around trees and near the cemetery wall. Stopped last week because everything was reading at 8+ inches, and I didn't have a big enough digging tool Fixed THAT today, but decided to try the playground anyway, because it was almost empty. Paid off -- I got two more coins (clad, but still gave me a charge) and some junk. Here the coins are: a 1981 Rosie and a 1989 nickel. There's so much iron in our soil that I thought the dime was a penny at first.

If you are going to hunt playgrounds and parks.. think like a kid. No seriously.. what would be "FUN" to do if you were a kid. Look for trees to climb, walls or fences to climb or "tightrope" walk on, bushes to hide in, anything to run around, climb, jump off of, climb under, swing from or explore. Small hillsides or embankments where a group might tumble down or play "King of the Hill" on. Oh and of course the playground equipment.. we can't forget them. Let your inner child out and follow it..uh.."her" around the playgrounds. I guarantee you will find stuff, coins, goodies and of course junk as well. It's all good and it's all fun to find. Good luck and Happy Hunting!

Frodov

stillgottawork · Mar 24, 2009

Everyone starts with the 1st coin....I see you have 2 and 3.....now get 4,5,6,and so on and so on and..........

Keep at it..and dig everything..........looking forward to more finds from you..... :thumbsup:

AeroMike · Mar 24, 2009

Nice finds WH, keep it up and you'll be posting all sorts of finds. Now that the ground is thawed out get out there and hunt!!!!!

curbdiggercarl57 · Mar 24, 2009

Red, it only gets better and better. Helps that you live in Penn., the history there only go back 400 years. Just annoy everyone you know, until they start giving you permission to detect their families land, just to be rid of you. Then start posting all the large cents, and Colonial silver that you will soon be digging. Just a matter of time. My main method is to just drive around looking for construction sites, keeping a notebook to write down addresses. Torment all friends about any outside home repairs, resoddings, etc., and start keeping in better touch with the relatives that live on old farmsteads. Torment, annoy, bug, plead, beg, it will pay off in the future.
Carl

wildheart · Apr 7, 2009

curbdiggercarl57 said:
Red, it only gets better and better. Helps that you live in Penn., the history there only go back 400 years. Just annoy everyone you know, until they start giving you permission to detect their families land, just to be rid of you. Then start posting all the large cents, and Colonial silver that you will soon be digging. Just a matter of time. My main method is to just drive around looking for construction sites, keeping a notebook to write down addresses. Torment all friends about any outside home repairs, resoddings, etc., and start keeping in better touch with the relatives that live on old farmsteads. Torment, annoy, bug, plead, beg, it will pay off in the future.

Carl, LOL! You crack me up! But great advice. i've begun making a pest of myself with my neighbors, and it has paid off. Even got permission from the local padre for a pre-1800s church and cemetery site because he serves with me on our Emergency Mgmt. team! So I'll keep it up as long as it's working!

allen · Apr 7, 2009

looks like you are doing good with that ace 250...
id put the 2000 dime in a display and in a few more
hunts you can look back and say, look at the coins im
finding now compared to my first hunt...
good luck and keep us posted on your finds...