I think metal detecting is becoming a dying hobby ....

[JimmyCT]

When I started detecting in 2006, parks and schoolyards were loaded with quarters.
My thoughts were at the older schools, once silver coin finds decreased, folks moved on or quit, then all the clad built up years afterwards.
My buddy digs quite a few zinc penny signals along with low numbers which could be a gold ring and he has found 9 class rings over the years, but in the 20 years I have been detecting with him, I think he has only found two class rings and I have only found one.
We both have found other gold rings, but not very often…..it takes much more patience when detecting inland.
Using the 800 a couple years ago, I dug all nickel signals that year and found 423 nickels and not one piece of gold.
Like you, I am concerned with Lyme disease along with other diseases you can catch from ticks, so I only venture into the woods when it is cold.
Have you ever thought of trying some rivers up your way that have alot of activity during the summer?
I decided to try one down my way a couple years ago and have done quite well there finding over 200 quarters and even an old 1700’s large cent.
It has gotten to the point that I look for areas where others have overlooked or figure nothing is there in public places and have done quite well at times.
While you are out scouting for places to detect, keep an eye out for gravel parking lots…..I found one down my way a few years ago and it was loaded with coins and mostly quarters surprisingly….some were just laying on top of the gravel, but not easy to see.

Mostly quarters huh?
Maybe you adjust your detector to only pick up quarters

 

[fwcrawford]

Mostly quarters huh?
Maybe you adjust your detector to only pick up quarters

Maybe…..

 

[Ism]

I don't think detecting is close to dead, but it may depend on the individual detectorist site preference. Public sites are on life support IMO as replenishment is almost non-existent.
Price of precious metals has reduced the losses at beaches and sports fields to a trickle. Most of new drops turn out to be costume jewelry or metals like titanium or tungsten carbide.
Private property is rife with opportunities, but that takes research and face to face contact which I've found to be the best way to get approval. But the potential for gold jewelry or coin find is rare.
City tear outs (like sidewalks and roads) also require constant research as the window of opportunity are small. I have only hunted a couple of those opportunities and haven't been very lucky.
That's my perspective on the subject.

 

[Coin Rescue Inc]

So, a Question.

How many of you walk around with coins in your pocket now?
I thought about it and I woulds say very rarely for myself.
I have $ 50.00's in my wallet but I don't seem to spend them.
My wallet now is my foldable cell phone case.
It carries paper money, credit cards, insurance card and driver's license. Oh and my cell phone.

 

[fwcrawford]

So, a Question.

How many of you walk around with coins in your pocket now?
I thought about it and I woulds say very rarely for myself.
I have $ 50.00's in my wallet but I don't seem to spend them.
My wallet now is my foldable cell phone case.
It carries paper money, credit cards, insurance card and driver's license. Oh and my cell phone.

I still carry change and deal mostly with cash, but I realize not many carry either anymore.
I still check each Coinstar machine I pass by too.

 

[JimmyCT]

I still carry change and deal mostly with cash, but I realize not many carry either anymore.
I still check each Coinstar machine I pass by too.

But do you carry and spend your quarters?

 

[fwcrawford]

But do you carry and spend your quarters?

Oh heck no…. I cash them
In for Franklins!!!

 

[JimmyCT]

Oh heck no…. I cash them
In for Franklins!!!

 

[WyattSloan]

It's so ironic as we have some great machines right now and the good old days are in the rearview mirror!!
I'm sure most beach detectorist will agree gold finds are waaay down. Coins are on the vast decline. Plastic and cell phones rule financial transactions.
Here a 'wedding ring' I eyeballed.
Years ago we thought stainless steel and titanium was going to be the end. Now we have have silicone....
Many years ago i found a local carnival. Morning after was like fishing in a barrel. I had to go back and empty my pouch, it was so heavy. My favorite spot was the ride, The Zipper It flung the kids and the spot was loaded with coins.
yesterday it was pretty pitiful. Just a handful of bright shiny coins. The field is a shared baseball & soccer park thus the brown coins. I remember way back when I had over 75 quarters. i never counted anything but quarters. That was my barometer. At least I found a silver necklace. Times they are a changing

I do not think the hobby itself is dying, but the easy modern finds probably are.


People simply carry less cash now, so there are fewer fresh coins being dropped every year. Add in silicone rings, cards and phones replacing a lot of the stuff people used to have in their pockets and it makes sense that busy parks and beaches are not producing like they did twenty years ago.


The funny part is that the detectors themselves have never been better. We can find targets today that older machines probably walked straight over, but we are also hunting places that have already been searched for decades.


For me that just changes what makes a good day. Seventy five quarters would have been nice, but I would take that silver necklace over a pocket full of modern change any day.

 

[Donna(NJ]

I do not think the hobby itself is dying, but the easy modern finds probably are.


People simply carry less cash now, so there are fewer fresh coins being dropped every year. Add in silicone rings, cards and phones replacing a lot of the stuff people used to have in their pockets and it makes sense that busy parks and beaches are not producing like they did twenty years ago.


The funny part is that the detectors themselves have never been better. We can find targets today that older machines probably walked straight over, but we are also hunting places that have already been searched for decades.


For me that just changes what makes a good day. Seventy five quarters would have been nice, but I would take that silver necklace over a pocket full of modern change any day.

I fully agree but those silver necklaces are also disappearing along with all the modern coins !!! Like one previous post stated TATOO's have replaced jewelry !!! And thanks to China, at least 95% of the jewelry we find is costume crap. Even finding silver today, is like find gold,,,,very rare. Im sure it was great fun back in the 70's when detector first start coming out. I cant imagine digging all those silver coins. But most of them are also probably gone unless you were lucky enough to stumble upon some virgin turf somewhere.
Yes, the machines are much better now, than many years ago, The problem is 'many years ago'. Most public places schools & parks have been pound by now. Yes, you'll find the occasional silver that was missed. Spending 4-6 hours looking for 1 silver coin ???? Dont get me wrong, Im as addicted as anyone on this forum but the pull to go out, just isnt there like it use to be.

Hopefully you have some great old locations to hunt. My beaches are smothered in replenishment sand and the fresh drops are little to none.

My only hope is to go back to parks and schools to look for the gold amongst all the trash. Trying to figure that out with my metered machines.

HH
Donna(NJ

 

[Ted S]

I fully agree but those silver necklaces are also disappearing along with all the modern coins !!! Like one previous post stated TATOO's have replaced jewelry !!! And thanks to China, at least 95% of the jewelry we find is costume crap. Even finding silver today, is like find gold,,,,very rare. Im sure it was great fun back in the 70's when detector first start coming out. I cant imagine digging all those silver coins. But most of them are also probably gone unless you were lucky enough to stumble upon some virgin turf somewhere.
Yes, the machines are much better now, than many years ago, The problem is 'many years ago'. Most public places schools & parks have been pound by now. Yes, you'll find the occasional silver that was missed. Spending 4-6 hours looking for 1 silver coin ???? Dont get me wrong, Im as addicted as anyone on this forum but the pull to go out, just isnt there like it use to be.

Hopefully you have some great old locations to hunt. My beaches are smothered in replenishment sand and the fresh drops are little to none.

My only hope is to go back to parks and schools to look for the gold amongst all the trash. Trying to figure that out with my metered machines.

HH
Donna(NJ

I am always on the hunt for a new place to go! I was at a local car cruise last week when I had to use the boys room. There's old time nostalgia newspaper articles on the wall of the bar and in the bathroom. The one that caught my eye was...Town baseball team wins local championship in 1935! That perked me up so after talking to a few fella I have an idea where it is. Also learned where the grocery store was that is now an unkempt lot. Always be on the lookout for stuff like this and you may add a cool coin to your collection! HH! Ted