One more thing, I don't think I am the only person like this but I have never sold a find and never will, if anything I would make a display to put on loan at the local town historical society museum. I think of what I find as history and it's context, not dollar signs. That's just how I am, not sure about others.
I never sell any relics that I Dig (they are worth way more to me than retail prices) Did sell some jewelry back in 2001 that I regret 70 gram 10 k necklace for $ 100
& a thick 14 k gold band for $20 .
Actually I think I may be ahead in the hobby $ wise , but the task of selling everything would put me in the hole.
Gas costs me the most , but i'd be driving anyway, also not spending $ while hunting.
I think I paid $349 for my first machine , My XLT was free. , Tejon $400 + 100 or so for new Coil.
$15 Bullseye Pointer, (NOW Dead), Have a 1266X that was given to me ,needs work ,I now have the parts to fix it , Now I need to just do it. Got a brand new Garrett Pro pointer for $10 -(Don't Ask), Just before that I paid est $170 for my TRX pointer.
What set me ahead was finding a small cache of gold & diamond Rinds 4 years ago ..Appraised $27,000 Retail ...sooo Maybe $ 10-15,000 to the right buyer.
Want a new machine so that would set me back a-lot.
&
In the last 3 years Scrap Copper , Brass & the Aluminium /Alloy Family has brought in a couple $100. + I have 3 + years of Clad that I have not even cleaned yet.
Like a Veteran Hunter once told me if your Detecting for the $ , "Hunt the Beaches ,Preferably Where the Rich & Famous Hang out, & hunt around the World, Hawaii , Caribbean , Italy , Spain ,USA, . But like they say it takes Money to make Money".
To me it's the thrill of the hunt & when I score It only makes me want more.
Arrc is right IMO 90% of accessible sites are hard hunted.
If I had the Money & was legal I'd Dredge many Rivers & streams Not only to see what I could find but to clean them Up.
Davers Rant
