Search for Buried Treasure for Family Fun!

Metal Detecting can be an inexpensive and rewarding hobby for you and your family.  Many metal detectors can be found on Ebay for as little as 50 dollars.  Our Garrett Ultra (shown below) is an older model and still finds treasure with every use.

You may have seen images of beach combers metal detecting with onlookers laughing at how silly it appears.  But the thrill of finding a buried coin is akin to winning the million dollar lottery!   In one instant, you'll be hooked.  Metal detecting is also a perfect hobby for two - one person sweeping, the other finding the treasure.

Which Metal Detector To Purchase

There are many very good manufacturers of metal detectors on the market today.  Leading manufacturers are: Bounty Hunter, Fisher, Garrett, Tesoro and Whites, among others.  It is difficult to say which metal detector is right for you without considering where you're searching, how long and how often you'll be metal detecting, and what kind of treasure you are searching for specifically.  As a beginner, your first concern is price.  It's probably wise to learn the hobby with a lower price model until you can determine what features are important factors in choosing your higher priced detector.  Some things to consider: 

• The weight of the metal detector.  This can be a big factor if you're likely to be on the beach or in the park for several hours at a time.
• Comfort.  Make sure the metal detector has a padded rest for your arm, to avoid fatique and to add support while you're searching.
• Features.  Consider your likely treasure hunting locations.  If near a beach, you may want to consider a sturdy detector highly rated for shallow water searches.  If you live near gold mines, a detector with nugget searching capabilities may be very important.

Many manufacturer's websites can assist you in choosing your appropriate model with their buying guide questionnaires.  There are also other Ebay Guides that offer more in-depth information on how to choose your metal detector.

Metal Detectors Currently at Auction on Ebay

Where to Search

You'll soon find that metal detecting on beaches is the easiest form of metal detecting.  But you can also find treasure in parks, along river banks, in your own backyard.  The first rule of metal detecting is: "Leave no Trace" of your visit.  This means digging the smallest hole you need, then restoring that hole, including any sod cap, to its original condition.  Also, it should go without mentioning that you need to be certain that it's legal to be metal detecting where you're searching.  Many beaches in Florida do not permit this activity.  Metal detecting on any Federal land is prohibited.  State parks vary in their policies - best to check individually.  Many private property owners are happy to give permission to search on their land, and if you have a fabulous find, it's appropriate to share your bounty with the landowner.

Another Ebayer's Guide for Search Locations

Metal Detecting Tools

1. Digging Tool - A garden trowel is perfect.  A hunting knife can work just as well and has the added benefit of being able to probe your hole to pinpoint your target without digging further.
2. Two pouches or containers - One for treasure, one for trash.  Unfortunately, you'll soon discover that there is much more metal trash unearthed than treasure in your searches.
3. Scoop - To sift your diggings.  You can purchase scoops specifically designed for treasure hunting here on Ebay.  You also can create your own from a plastic coffee can punched with several holes.  Many hobbyists also build a framed-screen to sift the sand by shaking the screen back and forth.
4. Probe - This item looks like an extra long screw-driver with a plastic cap on the metal end to keep from scratching your finds.  Using the probe, you can poke through the soil or sand to locate your find before even digging your hole.
5. GroundCloth - A GroundCloth is a strong cloth that is framed on two sides with wood for easy lifting, or has extra heavy seams on the two sides for easy grasping.  This is especially handy when digging in dirt.  When you've removed the sod patch and set it aside, simply pile all the dirt from your hole onto the cloth.  Once your treasure is found, simply lift the cloth and pour back the dirt to refill your hole.

Metal Detecting Tools Currently at Auction

What Metal Detectors Do

Metal detectors magnetically scan the ground for density signals from different metals with technology similar to radar.  Each type of metal returns a different signal, and the metal detector then 'beeps' in different tones to indicate which type of metal was found.  Good metal detectors also have a visual readout of this information on their display screens, which includes the approximate depth of the metal located.  Most metal detector displays are already geared for finding coins and show categories of penny, nickel, dime, quarter, silver dollar and dollar, as well as gold.  Very often, an object is found that falls inbetween categories on the display - this may be jewelry or a combined metal of some type, or may represent two or three different coins together.  Most good metal detectors also have features for detecting silently, or include earphones and have designated settings for beach or ground searches.  "Discriminate" is also a key feature.  This setting allows you to set the detector to turn off or ignore signals from pop tops, bottlecaps and aluminum cans.  As with any tool, the more you pay, the higher the quality.   Higher priced metal detectors have more discerning features which can greatly increase your chances of finding older coins and other buried relics. 

What You're Likely to Find

We've all seen the treasure hunting shows depicting glorious caches of gold coins and jewelry.  The truth of metal detecting for beginners is a tad more realistic.  You're certain to find lost coins and jewelry, but finding a $10K diamond ring or solid gold watch isn't the norm.  As a beginner, don't expect to be making money from metal detecting - it should be just for fun.  It's wonderful exercise too.  Consider any treasure to be good treasure.  Some of our unusual finds have been: matchbox cars, license plates, a hood ornament from a Honda.  Our real finds have been: a gold lighter, jewelry, an expensive watch, many old coins, a plaque buried under a statue in a park.  Oddly enough, you'll find that many avid hobbyists don't cash in their treasure at all.  We keep all of our finds in a 'booty box', showing our box off to friends and family like a badge of pride.

When to Search

Sunday evenings at the beach are a perfect time for treasure hunting.  The crowds have gone, and you're sure to find lost coins at the very least.  Beaches are also a great place to search after a storm.  This time is especially good if you have a metal detector that can search in shallow water and you don't mind getting wet while you search the shallows.  If you enjoy meeting people, metal detecting on a crowded beach can be good fun.  Many people will be curious about your hobby and children will follow you and celebrate your finds with as much thrill as you experience.  Don't forget city parks after a festival. On July 5th, the local park is loaded with goodies. 

When Your Hobby Grows

When you realize that you're addicted, you'll also be yearning to find locations where no treasure hunter has gone before.  Research will be the key to your success.  Your research will lead you to search for locations that were popular 75 to 200 years ago. These will be old school yards, old churches that held Sunday Socials, old band-stand locations,  farmsteads, and ghost towns.  You might be surprised to find that there are probably pioneer ghost towns in nearby areas.  Ebay has marvelous selections of old maps from all over the United States.  Old maps can give you great insight into ghost towns and  popular gathering sites from eras gone by.  Your local Historical Society is another resource for a wealth of information.

Antique Maps at Ebay  (locate more specific maps in your area within this link by typing in your city or state in this map category).

Where You Can Learn More

Ebay has several books at auction on the subject of metal detecting.  Your local library is also a good source for books on the subject.  There are numerous websites dedicated to the topic of metal detecting.  Metal detecting manufacturers also have a wealth of how-to material for beginners and avid hobbyists.  You may also be lucky enough to find metal detecting clubs or organizations in your local area. 

Metal Detecting Books on Ebay

Metal Detecting Magazines on Ebay

Consider Metal Detecting as a new hobby for your family.  It will lead you along forgotten paths of discovery, foster your appreciation of history, and can give you the thrill of a lifetime when treasure is unearthed!