Wow, I didn't expect to receive such positive commentary for that offhand remark. To put it into perspective, the best of my detecting finds (LCs, Seateds, etc.) all combined do not match the value or rarity of my best individual bottle or stoneware finds, and I've only been actively digging good stuff for 6 years or so (dug a bottle accidentally while metal detecting at the age of 5 which planted the seed, though it certainly took a while to germinate into an active pursuit of digging huge holes). If monetary value alone was considered, a couple dozen of my bottle and stoneware finds would have made the "banner" whereas none of my detecting finds would likely qualify. If objective rarity was also considered, relative to that of coinage anyway, then dozens upon dozens would qualify. I am not concerned about this fact at all though; I am here to vicariously enjoy the good finds posted and offer assistance when I am able. Getting banner recognition is not my thing, lol.
When I have free time to enjoy my hobbies, metal detecting ranks rather low on the list. When I am able to dig in one of my several good dumps I will do so without even thinking about detecting. How many of you can spend between 1 and 8 hours and come home with over 100 bucks (or sometimes 1,000 bucks) worth of coins almost every time? Few if any, I would imagine. But bottle and dump diggers do so with consistent regularity. I greatly enjoy reading your threads and appreciating your detecting finds, but personally consider it to be a relative waste of time if you have access to dumps or outhouse pits. 100+ dollar days of bottle digging are the minimum norm for me lately, but how many times have I gone out and found 25 silver quarters (nominally worth 4 bucks each) during a detecting session? That can be personally counted with zero fingers, lol.
Surf my good man, I have actually tried detecting in the creeks and areas adjacent to dumps I've worked, and the levels of metallic interference make it utterly pointless. Even with a 2-inch coil ran on the highest discrimination mode you'd still encounter so much junk that your time would be wasted. I've eyeballed IH cents and sterling silver flatware and whatnot while inspecting the creeks, but haven't found a darn thing when detecting them. Interference from the clinkers/slag, iron, aluminum, brass, and other scrap junk all essentially superimposed on-top of eachother makes a detector useless. Detectors may be helpful in the location of privies or trash pits but aren't necessary, and certainly don't help in terms of recovering the small goodies intermixed with the junk. One's eyesight and a sifter will be far more useful if that's your goal.
Happy hunting y'all, but remember that bottle-digging is where it's at.
When I'm "treasure hunting" I leave the detector at home and use my brain, eyes, and hands instead. Access to even the best of pinpointers will not change this reality.
