Ready for a treasure hunt?

You don’t have to sail the high seas or come across an ancient map to find buried treasure. In fact, all around us precious metals are located just beneath the surface waiting to be found. All you need to start hunting is a metal detector!

Metal detecting is a great hobby for adventurers of all ages. With one of these devices, you can unearth coins, jewelry and even antique pieces. Depending on what you find, you can then turn your treasure into cash, clean it up and keep it or use these items as clues to learn more about the history of the area you’re searching.

For instance, did you find a coin?

When you unearth a coin, the first thing you’ll want to do is check to see the date on it. If the dates go back far enough, someone’s lost pocket change might be worth more than face value. For example, any U.S. dime, quarter, half dollar or dollar coin that is dated 1964 or earlier is made up of 90 percent silver – which means it is worth more!

Did you dig up a horseshoe?

Discoveries like this can give us a glimpse into the past. The soil you’re searching could be the former site of a farm or even a civil war camp. 

Did you discover a piece of jewelry?

It can be difficult to determine the value of a piece of jewelry at a glance, but researching just what you’ve found can be rewarding both financially and mentally. Whether it is a ring, an earring or a necklace, every piece of jewelry has a story and imagining what that is can be lots of fun.

These scenarios show that the more objects you find the more you will learn and maybe even earn.

Did you know that a great time to go metal detecting is right after a heavy rain, when the ground is soft? Wet ground is a better conductor than dry ground so you will have a better chance of locating objects that could be buried deeper than you would in dry ground.

• The beach, which is a great place to begin because you will get fewer competing signals on a sandy beach and it will be easier to dig there

• Under trees where people may have sat to rest

• At the homes of your relatives — especially those that live in older homes

• Your own front and back yards.

• Areas where historic events occurred (Be sure to ask permission first because you may not be able to remove objects from these locations)

• Some parks and public land prohibit metal detecting and digging. Always check first.

• Always ask for permission from the property owner before entering private property.

• Be responsible and cover the holes that you dig.

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