great site what to do!!

[Anonymous]

Approached by owner of property that was once owned by Henry Flagler(1800's) to use my metal detector to see if there is any relics!! Metal detector dream come true.
But they want every thing found. They say its for a future museum for the site.
Should I charge a monetary amount or request any of the find or just shut up and be thankful that I can look for more than dimes and pennies in the parks.
chuck

 

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[Anonymous]

I think the first thing I would do assuming that you don't personally know them is ask around about these people. Try to find out if they are reputable and if they really would like to start a museum. Hey you never know. Maybe they are to cheap to by a detector and want you to find the goodies for their personal collections. I'm not really parinoid! <img src="/metal/html/lol.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":lol"> Henry Flagler was a railroad tycoon worth millions. He was one of the richest people in this country in his day. I think it is safe to say that his front yard saw lots of action. It is probably littered with keepers. Unfortunatly not your keepers. The one thing this hobby desperatly needs is good publicity and you helping start this museum can go a long way. Maybe you can ask them to note in the displays that these finds were found with a metal detector and donated. I would document your finds with pictures. Maybe go as far as asking the local newspaper to tag along. With all the new laws these days this hobby needs some good publicity. If you do hunt this property it could be the hunt of a lifetime and you never know, maybe they will give a little something for your time. I would'nt ask for it.
Good luck,
Marc

 

[Anonymous]

Request a letter that they are going to build a museum, and that you have permission to recover all items on the property which will be yours. You, however, after laying claim of ownership to said items, will donate all items to the museum.
Take pictures of everything, and get it evaluated and write it off as a charitable donation.
A buddy of mine, John B. is a big time meterorite hunter. Do you know what he does with a fraction of the ones he finds each year ? He donates them to museums all over the world and requests that they appraise the piece and write him a letter acknowledging receipt of same, along with the appraised value.
He writes off thousands of dollars a year in donations. More exciting however is the four large three ring binders he keeps with pictures of the meteorites he has donated to each, and the letters that he has received back from the museums.
You want to see some of the fanciest stationary ever made ? You should see the letter he has from the Vatican museum in Rome. I'm Catholic, and I didn't even know the Vatican had a museum !
I asked him how he knew that these museums wanted meteorites. He said museums will accept anything like that, they don't care.
So, at least maybe you can get some publicity and a tax write off too !
Take care!
DOC

 

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[Anonymous]

THANKS
Enjoyed reading all of your responses to my dilemma.
Some very good ideas and EXACTLY what I was looking for
Many thanks
Chuck

 

[Anonymous]

I would also not be afraid to ask for a share of the coins found. It is not like a coin has a direct history with the place. See if you can work out a deal before you start to split the coins up 50/50 or whatever the folks will go for. Maybe you can keep doubles (find two Indian Head cents - you get one...). Tell them everything else found is for them. They should realize that you diserve some reward for your efforts. That is just my opinion.
Best of luck and HH - Robin