Metal detecting a viable option to make cash?

Just wondering if I should start this hobby. Some people make out on it by finding rings and coins. Really good finds would be Gold items or historic coins (I define historic from 1965 or earlier, excluding pennies, which come in at 1958).

I know a metal detector costs a pretty penny... more than my basic dell I bought to use as a server but turned into a basic web surfing PC in my room when I moved.

But if any of you are into it and want to let me know some tips or share your finds, have at it. It would be interesting to see what others have found.

Thanks

Tnuh555 said:

Just wondering if I should start this hobby. Some people make out on it by finding rings and coins. Really good finds would be Gold items or historic coins (I define historic from 1965 or earlier, excluding pennies, which come in at 1958).

I know a metal detector costs a pretty penny... more than my basic dell I bought to use as a server but turned into a basic web surfing PC in my room when I moved.

But if any of you are into it and want to let me know some tips or share your finds, have at it. It would be interesting to see what others have found.

Thanks

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I have a metal detector, but to be honest I don't really use it much. I took it down to Devon when I went on holiday and found £15 on the beach in Salcombe I also took it to Normandy, and found a bullet and then a live shell After that I stopped because I valued my life more than a few bullets and shrapnol

Tom

A live shell?!? Holy....

Well, I dont really think that I will find grenades in the ground here in Michigan, but I saw a few videos on YouTube. I would say this one guy makes about 5 bucks on average a week off of clad coins only. This does not count any valuables (old coins, jewelry, etc). It might be a worthwhile way to make a few extra bucks and work off some weight. My goal would be to try and find a Walking Liberty Half dollar piece in a decent condition somewhere... but i'm not counting on even finding one, let alone it being in good shape.

I have 2 walking liberties, along with some standing liberty quarters, silver Roosevelt dimes, silver Washington quarters, murcury dimes, a barber dime, and some buffalo nickels. Most of these coins are really worn out though, especially the buffalo nickels, some are turning into little disks.

Also have a few Indian head pennies, but they were bought off a collector.

Thanks for the post, would love to hear anyone else's ideas!

Yeah, I thought that too

Tom

Thanks for the rep Tnuh555, I really appreciate your kindness I would post this on your profile, but seeing as I am not friends with you (well on VF anyway), I couldn't - which explains the friend request too Thanks again,

Tom

Hmm, I remember over 20 years ago I was talking to a retired guy on the beach who was using a detector. I asked what kind of finds he got. The upshot was, when he first got it years before, he found plenty of rings, coins etc.. but that now, "everybody" had one. Basically if he didn't already own the thing he wouldn't bother with it. Combing the beach turned up beer bottle tops mostly. Plus in the USA people don't lug around silver dollars or 50 cent pieces anymore. The largest coin is a quarter, which won't even buy a newspaper these days.

OK, so I didn't find this, but it proves that they still exist. That is our local pond as well! Unexploded device found by Frensham Little Pond - News - getsurrey

I don't know about America, but here in England, we have to hand in any archaeological finds containing gold or silver. If it doesn't contain gold or silver, then we don't actually have to hand it in.

niemiro said:

I don't know about America, but here in England, we have to hand in any archaeological finds containing gold or silver. If it doesn't contain gold or silver, then we don't actually have to hand it in.

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Hmmmm, makes me think of the South Park episodes where the hunters yell "He's heading right for us!" before shooting a deer to get around the regulation(shooting if one's life is in danger etc..) so I can imagine all these gold trinkets being IDd as Aluminum or something. Nope! Definitely not gold. That there's that yellow aluminum!

MilesAhead said:

niemiro said:

I don't know about America, but here in England, we have to hand in any archaeological finds containing gold or silver. If it doesn't contain gold or silver, then we don't actually have to hand it in.

Click to expand...

Hmmmm, makes me think of the South Park episodes where the hunters yell "He's heading right for us!" before shooting a deer to get around the regulation(shooting if one's life is in danger etc..) so I can imagine all these gold trinkets being IDd as Aluminum or something. Nope! Definitely not gold. That there, that's yellow aluminum!

Click to expand...

I would say that..metal detecting isnt really great way to make money. But people do it professionally. (I unno how) But my friend said, when he went back easy, in georgia to visit family. They own this nice oldish plantation house. My friend said he was testing the metal detector at the house, and he found a small hoard under a plank of wood. (so original, I question the truth of it..lol) But it wasent worth much,

It had a 6 morgan dollars of common date, except one medium rare.
20ish barber dimes
and some old indian pennies. nothing too rare.

But..I don't believe him, I think he bought those, or family passed :\

Thanks for all the replies!
After debating this, I have come to the conclusion that I would be waisting my time. I think I will use the $250 or so on a netbook.