What Luck!

[Dennis1209]

Zero degree temperatures and some snow is on its way, so I thought I'd go somewhere close and swing for a couple of hours to get my fix. Started on the backside of the old courthouse (circa 1834) with my little 5" coil trying to weed something out from between all the trash within three feet of the sidewalks (no luck). As I rounded the building I happened to notice something unusual at the far end of the courthouse property and went to investigate? Surveying the area I noticed no one beat me to it with no evidence of any holes or digging. My suspicions turned out to be correct, that the better finds are deeper than the about 9 inches I can get with my Etrac, set at max sensitivity. I have a 12" x 13" Tornado coil coming sometime next month. I can tell by old digs and holes this place is hunted to death. All the below finds were 3 - 6 inches below this grating, so 8 + 6 = 14 inches. No way my Etrac will go that deep with the standard coil. I lucked out at just the right time!

 

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[RVRoamer74]

Nice finds. That Barber is way cool.
Congrats and continued success.

 

[Kona Koma]

Really nice finds. Timing is everything.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice finds, good luck with the new coil...just might be the little extra depth to find the goodies!

 

[dirtlooter]

sweet, gotta love this hobby

 

[coinman123]

I love that huge key and barber. It makes me wonder how many things we miss that are beyond the reach of a metal detector. Also, the cufflink that you found is actually an old leather rivet, probably off of horse tack.

 

[DigginNorthernVa]

Way to go! How do you go about getting permission to hunt a governmental building like that? Here in N Virginia the local officials would never permit it. More power to you!

 

[trdking]

What a great Key. Not your average. It is more than medium security with 4 different Pin channels. Very rare. They did get more intricate than this but those are unobtainium

 

[tomhighland]

Excellent finds! Love the key. So cool that its intact.

 

[Digger RJ]

Very Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[A2coins]

Great finds the coin and the key are sweet

 

[OreElse]

Very nice finds. That's a really nice key!

 

[Whyme]

Great finds! Congrats! Love the Barber and the skeleton key!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Very nice finds. I like that Barber, and skeleton key. Coinman is correct, your cuff link is actually a leather rivet.

 

[against the wind]

Nicely done on the silver but I really like those old Skeleton Keys.
Congratulations

 

[digger460]

Nice! Great skeleton key. Thought you had a clay marble there for a second.

 

[Yak1366]

Great finds, Congrats!!!

 

[Dennis1209]

Way to go! How do you go about getting permission to hunt a governmental building like that? Here in N Virginia the local officials would never permit it. More power to you!

I thought the same thing, "no way is detecting allowed", and exactly whom would I ask for permission? New Years day morning I wanted to start the new year off right, and wanted to go somewhere close that I stood a chance of finding something old. I called the police department dispatcher responsible for security of the courthouse. She transferred me to the to the supervisor (10 minute wait). He said no law against it, knock yourself out. In fifteen minutes I was there beeping away. That was the first time ever there and this post only the second time. Have to go when they are not writing 2 hour parking tickets during weekday business hours. I knew this place still had a few goodies to be found. New Year's day found a Rosie, Merc. and a 1865 wiped Indian and this. Something was rattling inside and was I disappointed.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Cool site, permission and finds! Congrats!!

 

[Rubka888]

That key is sweet! Wow