To Find Old Silver Coins with Your Detector
Search Where No One Else Does
The most troubling issue for many when it comes to the hobby of metal detecting is finding places to search. Of course, those of us who search private properties with permission do not have that problem. But those who are reluctant to ask for permission for fear of getting a “no” answer, most often find themselves in a situation where they continue to metal detect in parks and schoolyards. And, eventually, they become bored with searching the same parks and schoolyards over and over. The hobby is now less exciting and frustration sets in. This is the time when more often than not, the metal detector goes into the closet or in the corner of a basement collecting dust. If this is how you feel? Or, if you’re just wanting another place to search, here’s a tip on finding areas to metal detect and hopefully a way to resurrect your interest in the hobby. Search where no one else goes.
My metal-detecting pal and the cohost of my TV series, “Exploring Historys Treasures”, John DeCharo, (RIP) and I used to take time to travel country highways that traversed through small rural towns and villages with the idea of metal-detecting everyone we passed through. We would pick a long rural route and plan a four or five-day road trip metal detecting along the way. Those trips were always a huge success for a few reasons.
Some of the rural roads we traveled were as much as ninety miles long. The roads were dotted with many small, old towns and villages. John and I were captivated by some of the beautiful hamlets as well as the countryside we traveled through. Witnessing areas we were not familiar with also opened us up to ideas as to where to search in the future. However, the most exciting part of those trips was the amount of silver coins we found. Our simple plan to search the small towns produced amazing results.
After entering them we parked, grabbed our detectors, and headed to the shoulders of the road. John would take one side of the street, and I would move to the other side.
Metal detecting the grassy shoulders of a road, between the curb and the sidewalk is an area where no one else searches. The areas are small. But they do hold countless old coins.
Shoulders, where older parking meters are still being used, have a super potential to contain silver coins. Coins were often dropped and lost as they were removed from pockets. Years ago, especially with men, carrying pocket change was common. John and I found many Mercury Dimes, Walking Liberty Half Dollars, Franklin Half Dollars, Quarters, Buffalo Nickels, and Silver Roosevelt Dimes.
Another tip, metal detect any road, street, or sidewalk construction you come across in your travels. While riding through those small towns John and I were excited to see streets and or sidewalks torn up by highway crews. All of that dirt that was removed exposes old coins dropped from the days before the road or sidewalk was paved. The best time to search these construction sites is in the late afternoon or early evening after the workers have left for the day. Swing your detector up and down the road before the new fill has been laid down. Also, search the dirt piles that were pulled from the road that may have been placed by the workers along the edges of the shoulders. Search torn-up sidewalks the same way. We would drive miles out of our way if we learned that a town or village was redoing streets or sidewalks.
Metal detecting the areas I have mentioned should produce some old coins for you. Carry your metal detector in your car. You never know when you will come across road or sidewalk construction. If you're going to search while the workers are there, ask for permission, and stay well behind them as they work.
One time I was on my way to a business appointment in another town miles from home. I was dressed in a suit and a new pair of shoes. I saw a road and sidewalk being torn up. My excitement gauge was at 100. I quickly parked my car, and asked the workers if I could metal detect behind them. I told them I would stay out of their way. Well, actually, I begged them to let me search. I said “Please,” a lot.
I can only imagine what they thought of me. Here I was dressed in a suit, and wearing brand new shiny black, shoes standing there saying “please, please, please” and waving my metal detector at them.
Anyway, they were kind enough to say “Okay pal, but stay at least a block behind us as we work. By the way. What are you looking for?” They asked.
Ya, I dirtied my new shoes, but the old coins I found were well worth the dirt.
So give the areas I mentioned a try. I’m sure you’ll be rewarded with old coins. They truly are places where no one else searches.
