First Indian Head

Found my first Indian Head cent today and didn't even have to dig for it. Got the idea to start getting my coin collection sorted, so I looked through what was in the safe at my parents house. In looking for my Silver Eagle coins I found an 1888 Indian Head that I didn't have a clue my dad had in the collection. Also found 6 Mercs so far, 4 - 1943 Steel Lincolns lots of halves and a bunch more that I have yet to go through. Should have looked through the safe years ago.
Until next time...
HH
Keep your Coil to the Soil

Pinpointers

Recently got a Cen-tech pinpointer from Harbor Freight. For the money I thought it would be handy to have. Hopefully it will save me some digging and make locating my finds faster once I open the hole. Check back soon. Hopefully I will be able to get out in a few days to test it out. Also watch the blog for photos, video and info on my latest project, the Dirt Digger II.
Until next time...
HH
Keep your Coil to the Soil

First ring

The weather outside has been less than cooperative for metal detecting lately. Finally got ground that was soft enough to dig (at least in the tot lots and sandboxes) on January 15, 2010. I had been detecting and not digging while the ground was frozen and had made mental notes of where I had gotten decent signals. I had gotten a signal in the small sandbox where I found the ring but was unable to dig even in the frozen sand with my composite digger so I had decided to come back later. Luckily the area is not hunted much if at all. I was thinking I would probably be digging up a penny or maybe a dime but was surprised when I dug up the ring. I think my heart may have skipped a beat when I saw the diamonds. Upon cleaning my find I discovered it was a child's ring and probably copper/silver plated with fake diamonds. Still a fun find though.
Until next time...
HH
Keep your Coil to the Soil

Keeping track of your finds

If you are out detecting and finding lots of goodies, you'll want to keep track of them in some form or another. It's nice to keep a running total of your clad, silver and other finds along with photos and details of your hunt. There are several ways you could do this. You could keep a paper log and attach a photo. Use some type of word processing software on your computer, or even organize them in containers with labels if you wanted. I personally decided that i-detect from Ginkgoware was the best method for me. It's been very handy software. If your method isn't working for you then check out what else is out there or talk to other detectorists to find out what they are using.

Until next time...
HH
Keep your Coil to the Soil

Permission Form and Liability Waiver

Here is a permission form with liability waiver for those of you who need one. Feel free to modify it how you see fit.

Permission to Metal Detect on Private Property

I, _____________________________________ agree to allow (type your name and address), to use a metal detector to search for and recover buried coins, relics and other artifacts located on my property at ________________________________. In addition, I offer my service to you. If you or a family member has lost a valuable piece of jewelry or other significant metal object, I am happy to search and find it at no charge or cost to you. It is understood that recovery includes the digging of small holes, which will be repaired as nearly as possible to original condition. This permission will remain in effect until such time that it is revoked in writing.
________________________________ (Signature)   ______________ (Date)
                                            

Liability Waiver Form

In consideration of permission to use a metal detector to search for and recover metal artifacts on the property located at ___________________________________ and owned by ____________________________, I, (type your name), agree to release from all liability for personal injury or property damage that I may suffer as the result of my searching said property. This release is binding and discharges said owner, his or her heirs, executors, administrators, from all actions, causes of action, claims and demands for, upon, or by reason of any damage, loss, injury which I may sustain while engaged in metal detecting on the owner's property.

______________________________(Signature)

_________________________________________(Address)

__________________(Date)

Until next time, HH and Keep your coil to the soil.

Bad weather, can't detect

The weather here turned extremely cold over the last couple of days. Arctic actually. Cold enough that I'm not about to get out to try to detect. Even if I did I'd have to have a jackhammer to get through the frozen clay ground around here. So, what do you do when you can't detect? Well, I've been posting some at metaldetectingforum.com and watching metal detecting videos on youtube. Aside from that I have been researching.
Bad weather can give you an opportunity to research local history in order to find new places to hunt or research an item you have found during a hunt. While you are doing your research on new areas to hunt, go ahead and get permission from the landowner or even go ahead and get permission forms signed, that way when the weather breaks you will be ready to go.
So, until next time...
Get your research done, grab a fresh set of batteries and
Keep your coil to the soil.