There are quite a few different types of metal detector hobbyists.  Seems the types of targets desired determine the types of detecting you do.  Naturally, where you live plays a huge part in determining which kind of detectorist you are.  Someone seeking colonial relics in Utah is going to have a pretty challenging and miserable experience!

What types of metal targets are out there to be found?  Coins, relics, jewelry and ores are what all immediately come to mind.  Ohioans are blessed with good opportunities to find three of the four.  Not many gold nuggets around here, though I have heard stories of some people panning for gold

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I've just put the finishing touches on organizing the metal detecting club links on my website.  I created an entire list of defunct or clubs of unknown status.  As I was researching and composing, a million ideas flew through my head about detecting clubs so I thought I'd set a few down here in a bit of a ramble.

First idea is leadership.  Someone has to want to do it and inspire others to participate.  It takes time and commitment.  This is no small thing to ask for people who are trying find time to detect, hold down a job and have a home/family life.  So, besides a leader, there need to be some

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This is a follow up to the question, “Are newer machines the key to older coins?" Online forum posters brought up operating frequencies and gold, so this addresses these two topics.

Looking at some online resources:  "Lower frequencies penetrate more deeply but higher frequencies are more sensitive to smaller targets." "Different metals respond better to different frequencies which is why all gold detectors run at 15 khz and up." "The lower the freq. such as 3 Khz will be sensitive in detecting copper and silver targets. Higher freq. such as 15 to 60 Khz will

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Picture
A silver coin showing hairline rub scratches.
A topic as old as the ages. Here's the simple statement that people read too late or don't believe. Cleaned old coins are 99% of the time worth LESS than uncleaned coins.

Let's do silver coins first, as this is where I see the most damage being done: If you find a silver coin (dated 1964 or earlier for most US coins) with your metal detector, with soil stuck on the surface of the coin, rubbing it in the field is as bad as cleaning it.  The soil is VERY abrasive and leaves hairline scratches, the same as many harsh cleaning methods.  Regardless of the condition of the coin, poor to mint state, soil rubbed across the surface will leave scratches that downgrade any potential value the coin may have.  Don't rub silver coins fresh from the ground.

So you're saying to yourself, so then, Mr. Smarty Pants, how do I get the dirt off this coin so I
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