Old Mining Camp Treasures!

[oldmxrat]

Spent the day kicking around some old mines a ways to the south of me. There were lots of spots with piles of old cans and broken bottles, and they all looked like they'd been searched previously, so I looked for spots that looked kind of flat with enough area to pitch a wall tent in between the gulleys and washes. I started finding random small stuff that indicated I was on the right track, then started getting good targets.

It wasn't an easy place to hunt being very rocky, steep and loaded with cholla cactus (nasty stuff!), but it was pretty fun and peaceful. I didn't see another soul out there.
I'll definitely be heading back there soon!

 

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[Almy]

The climate looks to be easy on the coins and medals you found. They're in great condition!

 

[Mr. Digger]

Nice finds. Wow what a difference dry sandy soil makes on nickels. When you find one here in New England they are unrecognizable. Congrats!

 

[Blackfoot58]

I’m very impressed with your finds and the logic that you used. Great job!

 

[Florida Finder]

Spent the day kicking around some old mines a ways to the south of me. There were lots of spots with piles of old cans and broken bottles, and they all looked like they'd been searched previously, so I looked for spots that looked kind of flat with enough area to pitch a wall tent in between the gulleys and washes. I started finding random small stuff that indicated I was on the right track, then started getting good targets.
View attachment 2074239 View attachment 2074240

It wasn't an easy place to hunt being very rocky, steep and loaded with cholla cactus (nasty stuff!), but it was pretty fun and peaceful. I didn't see another soul out there.
I'll definitely be heading back there soon!

Very cool finds. I like the religious medallions. Congratulations

 

[lenmac65]

Those religious medals are very special. Nice finds. Congrats!

 

[ArfieBoy]

Great finds! congratulations! Your logic of the hunting process is outstanding. Thanks for posting.

 

[Oregon Viking]

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Fantastic finds - well done !

 

[JohnnyMac]

Spent the day kicking around some old mines a ways to the south of me. There were lots of spots with piles of old cans and broken bottles, and they all looked like they'd been searched previously, so I looked for spots that looked kind of flat with enough area to pitch a wall tent in between the gulleys and washes. I started finding random small stuff that indicated I was on the right track, then started getting good targets.
View attachment 2074239 View attachment 2074240

It wasn't an easy place to hunt being very rocky, steep and loaded with cholla cactus (nasty stuff!), but it was pretty fun and peaceful. I didn't see another soul out there.
I'll definitely be heading back there soon!

Dang. They all look brand new. Congrats

 

[Sandog]

Excellent. The finds and the strategy.

 

[oldmxrat]

Nice finds. Wow what a difference dry sandy soil makes on nickels. When you find one here in New England they are unrecognizable. Congrats!

Well, the truth is the nickels got the vinegar/peroxide treatment as they were black when found.

 

[oldmxrat]

I’m very impressed with your finds and the logic that you used. Great job!

Great finds! congratulations! Your logic of the hunting process is outstanding. Thanks for posting.

Excellent. The finds and the strategy.

Thanks, I never find anything in the obvious spots so I'm always trying to picture where people would have been.

 

[xr7ator]

The nickels look cleaned and if they weren't one would wonder how they could possibly be so shiny if in the dirt for all those years.
I know of a fellow detectorist that was told about a spot where there was lots of activity back in the day. This is up in the Central City area. He was shown the spot and it was a mess with rusty cans and lots of scrap metal and crap everywhere. He went up two weekends in a row with just trash bags, and some gloves and rake & shovel...
The third weekend he went up with his detector and was rewarded for his efforts with a seated quarter and a Walker as well as some other tidbits.
Just food for thought if you decide to clean up a little area.
Someone lost a quarter eagle out thar somewhere, dang it! lol
Thanks for sharing and good luck you.

 

[oldmxrat]

The nickels look cleaned and if they weren't one would wonder how they could possibly be so shiny if in the dirt for all those years.
I know of a fellow detectorist that was told about a spot where there was lots of activity back in the day. This is up in the Central City area. He was shown the spot and it was a mess with rusty cans and lots of scrap metal and crap everywhere. He went up two weekends in a row with just trash bags, and some gloves and rake & shovel...
The third weekend he went up with his detector and was rewarded for his efforts with a seated quarter and a Walker as well as some other tidbits.
Just food for thought if you decide to clean up a little area.
Someone lost a quarter eagle out thar somewhere, dang it! lol
Thanks for sharing and good luck you.

Yep, nickels got a vinegar/peroxide bath.
Thanks for the tip, maybe I'll clean up one of those areas and see what happens!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Very nice finds. That was a great day.

 

[diggingthe1]

That's awesome! Where people slept/rested or where they ate are great places. I've found a few things from the ladies who must have waited for the men outside the mines at good lunch spots. Those medallions are beautiful!!

 

[ARC]

Um...... did you look at that buffalo close ? ? ?
From here it appears to be a three leg.
If so.... you found a seriously killer coin.

 

[JeffInMass]

I was going to ask if those nickels really looked like that when they were found, but saw you claening method- will give that a whirl. As for the religious medallions, I think my avatar will tell you how I feel about those.

 

[river roamer]

Very nice finds Good luck with future hunts in that area