Slag no more ye filthians!

I'm Back! Part 3

2011-06-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

This is from the other day. Good finds at two small schools that nobody ever checks besides me.

Finds for the day(s)

25 Quarters

44 Dimes

32 Nickels

123 Pennies (2 Canadian)

1 ABC Batting Cage Token (Salem, OR)

Total Coins: 224

Total in Dollars: $16.48

Year-to-Date Totals

1 14K Gold Chain

1 James K. Polk Dollar Coin

1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin

1 Canadian Loony Dollar Coin

102 Quarters

137 Dimes

73 Nickels

359 Pennies (2 Wheat [1941, 1951], 5 Canadian)

5 Erotic Zodiac Tokens

2 Chuck "E" Cheese Tokens

1 Sunoco Token

Total Coins: 662

Total in Dollars: $49.44

I'm Back! Part 2

2011-06-30T13:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some finds from last week after a long hiatus due to sickeningly high gas prices which made it pointless to drive around and detect.

Finds for the day(s)

1 14K Gold Chain
1 James K. Polk Dollar Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin
1 Canadian Loony Dollar Coin
23 Quarters
38 Dimes
20 Nickels
76 Pennies (1 Wheat [1951], 1 Canadian)

Total Coins: 160
Total in Dollars: $14.31

Year-to-Date Totals

1 14K Gold Chain

1 James K. Polk Dollar Coin

1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin

1 Canadian Loony Dollar Coin

65 Quarters
93 Dimes
41 Nickels
236 Pennies (2 Wheat [1941, 1951], 3 Canadian)
5 Erotic Zodiac Tokens
2 Chuck "E" Cheese Tokens
1 Sunoco Token

Total Coins: 438
Total in Dollars: $32.96

I'm Back!

2011-06-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some finds from last week after a long hiatus due to sickeningly high gas prices which made it pointless to drive around and detect.

Finds for the day(s)

42 Quarters
55 Dimes
21 Nickels
160 Pennies (1 Wheat [1941], 2 Canadian)
5 Erotic Zodiac Tokens
2 Chuck "E" Cheese Tokens
1 Sunoco Token

Total Coins: 278
Total in Dollars: $18.65

Year-to-Date Totals

42 Quarters
55 Dimes
21 Nickels
160 Pennies (1 Wheat [1941], 2 Canadian)
5 Erotic Zodiac Tokens
2 Chuck "E" Cheese Tokens
1 Sunoco Token

Total Coins: 278
Total in Dollars: $18.65

Almost Two Weeks in One

2010-04-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Day Something or Other - Thursday, April 8, 2010

Schools out and so am I. This week anyway. Last week I lazed off and that kept the totals down. .

Finds for the day(s)

80 Quarters
102 Dimes
49 Nickels (1 Canadian)
221 Pennies (11 Canadian)
2 South Field Zone Tokens
1 Questionably Sterling Silver Ring w/ Markings but it still looks fake
Lots of junk

Total Coins: 452
Total in Dollars: $34.86

Year-to-Date Totals

0 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
0 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewea Coin
0 $1 George Washington Coin
0 $1 James Monroe Coin
0 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
0 JFK Half Dollars
176 Quarters
268 Dimes
128 Nickels (1 Canadian)
551 Pennies (2 Wheats 1941D, 1946)(19 Canadian)

1,125 Total Coins
Total value: $85.23
Total to go: $414.77

Two Weeks in One

2010-03-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

Day Something or Other - Saturday, March 27, 2010

This week was much colder and more conducive to free park ranging than the warm days of last week were and I found the majority of my coins in the past 4-5 days. I've also been bringing my nephew with me quite a bit and thus I even go to the play areas when kids are present. I avoid the kids as much as possible for the obvious reason that nobody likes some guy probing the ground while their precious children are in the same vicinity. Plus the natural reaction is for the kid to say, "What are you looking for?" "Can I help?" "Do you find gold?" I try to say as little as possible to them and get the hell away ASAP. Mainly because it's not wise to let them feel comfortable talking to strangers and also so that I don't have a police cruiser coming up to me and asking what I'm doing at the park etc etc. It's pretty sad that the world has come to that but so it is. Of course I could just go to the fields and toil for my coins but until I check the playground areas out first I'm staying away from the damp, muddy fields.

Finds for the day(s)

53 Quarters
87 Dimes
46 Nickels
190 Pennies (2 Wheats 1941D, 1946)(5 Canadian)
3 Chuck "E" Cheese Tokens
1 Questionably Gold Bracelet W/ No Markings
Key, Charms -n- junk

Total Coins: 376
Total in Dollars: $26.65

Year-to-Date Totals

0 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
0 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewea Coin
0 $1 George Washington Coin
0 $1 James Monroe Coin
0 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
0 JFK Half Dollars
96 Quarters
166 Dimes
79 Nickels
330 Pennies (2 Wheats 1941D, 1946)(8 Canadian)

673 Total Coins
Total value: $50.37
Total to go: $449.63

Hey Ohhhhh!

2010-03-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

Day Something or Other - Monday, March 15, 2010

So I didn't quite make the $500 goal of last year but only because I stopped in early October with a good month of favorable weather forthcoming. Oh well. A new year and a new $500 goal though I doubt I can do it this time. I'm not sure why but it just seems like more effort than any person with better things to do should commit to. Anyhow, I got off to a good start this last week as the snow here in Michigan has gone and spring has slowly started in Nashville. I found about $4.50 in the latter and most in my home state. Take a look.

Finds for the day(s)

2 $1 Sacajewea Coin
43 Quarters
79 Dimes
33 Nickels
140 Pennies (3 Canadian)
1 Jeepers Token
1 Video Dome Game Center Token
Keys and junk

Total Coins: 297
Total in Dollars: $23.72

Year-to-Date Totals

0 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
0 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewea Coin
0 $1 George Washington Coin
0 $1 James Monroe Coin
0 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
0 JFK Half Dollars
43 Quarters
79 Dimes
33 Nickels
140 Pennies (3 Canadian)

297 Total Coins
Total value: $23.72
Total to go: $476.28

$400+

2009-10-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

Day Something or Other - Friday, October 2, 2009

So it's been a slow go of late but I've hit $400 and there is still time this year before the cold hits for good. Plus I have my Nashville weekends a few times a month to fill in what I can't get done in Detroit.

Finds for the day(s)

40 Quarters
45 Dimes
19 Nickels
169 Pennies (1 Wheat 1946D)(3 Canadian)
Keys and junk

Total Coins: 273
Total in Dollars: $17.14

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
4 Sterling Silver Rings
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
4 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
5 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
775 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1329 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
607 Nickels (3 Canadian)
3,108 Pennies (24 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '46D '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D(2), '57, '57D, '58(2)) (103 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

5,921 Total Coins
Total value: $407.63
Total to go: $92.37

Still 3/4 of the Way to $500!!!

2009-09-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

Day Something or Other - Monday, September 14, 2009

I've really been slacking again. I've only been out about 5 times since I last posted. Mostly due to better things to do and some to do with I avoided the hotter months. Either way, I'm back and still plan to hit $500!!!

Finds for the day(s)

26 Quarters
39 Dimes
17 Nickels
106 Pennies (6 Canadian)

Total Coins: 188
Total in Dollars: $12.30

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
4 Sterling Silver Rings
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
4 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
5 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
735 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1284 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
588 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,939 Pennies (23 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D(2), '57, '57D, '58(2)) (103 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

5,648 Total Coins
Total value: $390.49
Total to go: $109.51

3/4 of the Way to $500

2009-07-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Fifty One - Monday, July 27

I've been slacking again. With rain-outs, long naps, etc consuming my time I only got out about every other day for an hour or two. Nothing exciting or too little, just so-so. I do believe that I am 3/4 to my goal and with the pickings getting slimmer with the summer competition the last 1/4 will be a lazy goal but I'll easily make it. I hope.

Yep, passed the 3/4 mark by a few dollars. Also topped 700 quarters for the year and 100 Canadian pennies as well!

Finds for the day(s)

15 Quarters
19 Dimes
9 Nickels
57 Pennies (3 Canadian)
1 Arcadia Token

Total Coins: 100
Total in Dollars: $6.67

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
4 Sterling Silver Rings
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
4 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
5 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
709 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1245 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
571 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,833 Pennies (23 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D(2), '57, '57D, '58(2)) (100 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

5,460 Total Coins
Total value: $378.19
Total to go: $122.81

2009-07-20T19:42:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Forty Four - Monday, July 20

A combination of a lack of finds and a lack of scanning has curtailed my quest to reaching the 3/4 mark of my destination as fast as I had hoped. But I will get back out there soonly and make up for it.

Finds for the day(s)

8 Quarters
18 Dimes
9 Nickels
60 Pennies (2 Canadian)

Total Coins: 95
Total in Dollars: $4.85

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
4 Sterling Silver Rings
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
4 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
5 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
694 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1226 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
562 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,776 Pennies (23 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D(2), '57, '57D, '58(2)) (97 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

5,360 Total Coins
Total value: $371.52
Total to go: $128.48

Two for One Pt. 2

2009-07-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Thirty Eight - Tuesday, July 14

After mentioning a potential hex on quarters everything seemed to come up quarters and dimes. It's odd to find more silvery coins that pennies but that's exactly what happened and I'm grateful for it. $375 is coming soon. At that point I'll be 3/4 of the way to my goal with half a summer to go. Quite excellent if I might say so myself. I also took a pretty detailed picture after 20 blurry crap pics. You'll have to click to enlarge to see the excellent detail on some of these rather ordinary coins.

Finds for the day(s)

20 Quarters
20 Dimes
9 Nickels
16 Pennies

Total Coins: 65
Total in Dollars: $7.61

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
4 Sterling Silver Rings
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
4 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
5 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
686 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1208 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
553 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,716 Pennies (23 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D(2), '57, '57D, '58(2)) (95 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

5,265 Total Coins
Total value: $365.67
Total to go: $134.33

Sunday on Monday

2009-07-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Thirty Six - Sunday, July 12

I'm late with yesterday's update. And late on commenting upon the crappy new obverses of penny. I hope these are temporary plates because they sure suck ass! If you haven't seen them then count yourself as lucky! They look modernly cartoonish with farcical typeset. BOOOOOO. Anyhow, I found a pile of clad with some other crap thrown in. Lucky me.

PS...found my 666th quarter of the year. Hopefully I won't stay stuck on that beastly number forever while my soul burns in eternal fire.

Finds for the day(s)

12 Quarters
19 Dimes
10 Nickels
44 Pennies (1 Canadian)
Misc Costume Jewelry
1 Key

Total Coins: 85
Total in Dollars: $5.84

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
4 Sterling Silver Rings
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
4 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
5 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
666 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1188 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
544 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,700 Pennies (23 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D(2), '57, '57D, '58(2)) (95 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

5,200 Total Coins
Total value: $358.06
Total to go: $141.94

Picking Old Bones & Plucking Out Silver

2009-07-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Thirty Five - Saturday, July 11

If you pick a spot too many times you're bound to find old bones in new spaces. That's just what happened at my sure-shot ghetto $4 minimum playground. I only found a buck and a half so I guess it's time to let the place recuperate until school is back in session and the milk money is flowing and falling freely into the chip bed. I did manage a silver ring out of the deal so I shant complain too loudly. Only got a couple hours in due to inclement weather but still managed my $5 expectation. Yeah, I've kind of updated my $2/$10 per weekday/weekend day minimums to a general expectation of $2-$5 whenever I get out. Blah blah blah. Anyhow, I found an inordinate amount of nickels today so something must have been up with the electricity in the sky or simply a case of detectives not digging for the tone.

Finds for the day(s)

1 Silver Ring
4 Quarters
26 Dimes
22 Nickels (1952)
40 Pennies (1 Canadian)
Misc Costume Jewelry

Total Coins: 92
Total in Dollars: $5.30

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
4 Sterling Silver Rings
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
4 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
5 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
654 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1169 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
534 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,656 Pennies (23 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D(2), '57, '57D, '58(2)) (94 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

5,115 Total Coins
Total value: $352.22
Total to go: $147.78

5,000 COINS & COUNTING FOR THE SEASON!

2009-07-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Thirty Three - Thursday, July 9

Welp, didn't take long to hit 5,000 total for the season. A good scraping of a local park before a library book sale did the trick. I also found a faux gold necklace that would have been a grand find had it been the real thing. AU well!

Finds for the day(s)

1 Jefferson Dollar Coin
7 Quarters
21 Dimes
5 Nickels (1952)
31 Pennies (1 Canadian)
Charms etc

Total Coins: 65
Total in Dollars: $5.41

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
4 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
5 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
650 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1143 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
512 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,616 Pennies (23 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D(2), '57, '57D, '58(2)) (93 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

5,023 Total Coins
Total value: $346.92
Total to go: $153.08

Winsday Pt. 2

2009-07-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Thirty Two - Wednesday, July 8

Finally recovered from my southern sojourn and got out and scraped the ground. 3 keys and lots of clad later here I am reporting my treasures to you, the people of the coin. I also found my 500th nickel of the season! Woooot! On the verge of 5,000 total for the season which will likely be broken next time I check in.

Finds for the day(s)

4 Quarters
20 Dimes
13 Nickels
54 Pennies (i Wheat: 1956D; 1 Canadian)
3 Keys

Total Coins: 91
Total in Dollars: $4.19

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
5 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
643 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1122 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
507 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,585 Pennies (23 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D(2), '57, '57D, '58(2)) (92 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,958 Total Coins
Total value: $341.51
Total to go: $158.49

Winsday

2009-07-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Twenty Five - Wednesday, July 1

I got rained on and still found almost $5. The end.

Finds for the day(s)

2 Sacajewa Dollar Coins
4 Quarters
10 Dimes
4 Nickels
60 Pennies (1 Canadian)

Total Coins: 80
Total in Dollars: $4.80

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
5 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
639 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1102 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
494 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,531 Pennies (22 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D, '57, '57D, '58(2)) (91 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,867 Total Coins
Total value: $337.32
Total to go: $162.68

Yesterday, All My Dubloons Seemed So Far Away

2009-07-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Twenty Four - Tuesday, June 30

Looks like I'm getting rained out today so might as well post what I found yesterday at Day 2 of the Spree search. Another wheater, 2 Canadians, a cross penny and a pile of the good stuff. Nothing extraordinary for a man too lame to be denounced.

Finds for the day(s)

6 Quarters
14 Dimes
3 Nickels
85 Pennies (1 Wheats: 1952D; 2 Canadian)
1 Clown Token

Total Coins: 108
Total in Dollars: $3.90

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
3 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
635 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1092 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
490 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,471 Pennies (22 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '52D, '53D, '56D, '57, '57D, '58(2)) (90 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,787 Total Coins
Total value: $332.52
Total to go: $167.48

Monday is Funday or Something Like That

2009-06-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Twenty Three - Monday, June 29

After a rather spectacular fireworks show last night at the Livonia Spree the minions of metal detective descended upon the area like wet rats to clamor for loose change, jewelry and god knows what. Well, even with stiff competition I still managed a good pocket load of mostly clad. Our Canadian friends sent along a half dozen of their pennies and I gladly scooped up the leaf and the loonie as if they were our own penny. The football shaped chunk of metal must be some kind of surveying tool. I'm not sure why it must be but that's the first thing I thought of besides it was a fishing weight from 10,000 years ago but that doesn't quite make sense. Forgive my stupidity and look at the coins, would ye?

Finds for the day(s)

10 Quarters
9 Dimes
1 Nickels
56 Pennies (1 Wheats: 1951D; 6 Canadian)
1 NAMCO Token

Total Coins: 76
Total in Dollars: $4.01

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
3 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
628 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1078 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
487 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,386 Pennies (21 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D(2), '52, '53D, '56D, '57, '57D, '58(2)) (88 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,607 Total Coins
Total value: $328.62
Total to go: $171.38

Sunday Sunday

2009-06-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Twenty Two - Sunday, June 28

Quarters seem to be following me around lately. I think it has something to do with battery juices running low. Perhaps I should start practicing low battery scanning and find more quarters than pennies. Anyhow, cleaned up at a schoolyard where I'd meant to go several times but was waylayed for various reasons of weather and construction work. Also hit a school where they are digging up the parking lot and found a few wheaters but was rather disappointed that there wasn't much else there. Oh well.

Finds for the day(s)

17 Quarters
11 Dimes
8 Nickels
31 Pennies (2 Wheats: 1953D, 1957D; 1 Canadian)
Marbles and other crap

Total Coins: 67
Total in Dollars: $6.06

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
3 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
618 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1069 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
486 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,330 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '53D, '56D, '57, '57D, '58(2)) (82 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,531 Total Coins
Total value: $324.61
Total to go: $175.39

Saturday in the Parks a Week Before the 4th of July

2009-06-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Twenty One - Saturday, June 27

A cool dry day picture perfect for an early morning scanfest. And scan I did at two schools which I hit earlier this spring. Both on rainy-misty days with copious amounts of puddles. But I hadn't hit them since the good weather broke and school got out so I figured that they would be respectably chock full of clad and they were. The second school I came upon I begrudgingly got out and thankfully I did. I figured that I only need a good $1.50 to make $5 for the morning and that would be fine with me. I also spotted an area with two swingsets and a monkey bars that I somehow missed every time that I have ever gone there before. Or else they just installed it. Either way that was a boon as I netted half of the visit's purse in about a 10 minute scamper across the chippy wood beds.

Finds for the day(s)

1 Sacajewa
12 Quarters
32 Dimes
13 Nickels
34 Pennies (1 Canadian)
1 Caesarland Token
1 Disney Pixar Rolled Penny

Total Coins: 92
Total in Dollars: $8.19

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
3 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
601 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1058 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
478 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,299 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '56D, '57, '58(2)) (81 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,464 Total Coins
Total value: $318.55
Total to go: $181.45

The King of Plop

2009-06-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Nineteen - Thurssday, June 25

I'm posting this days after the fact when it is nice and cool and the day which I scanned these treasures it was in the 90s. Which could account for why I don't remember even where I found this stuff. Oh well.

Finds for the day(s)

3 Quarters
9 Dimes
10 Nickels
33 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1957; 1 Canadian)
3 Keys
Hearts & Crowns

Total Coins: 55
Total in Dollars: $2.48

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
589 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1026 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
465 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,265 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '56D, '57, '58(2)) (80 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,372 Total Coins
Total value: $310.36
Total to go: $189.64

Hot$ville #9

2009-06-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Eighteen - Wednesday, June 24

Hot as sinners paradise out there so I could only get an hour or so in before the sweat began to simmer on my skin. I meant to scan a torn up school parking lot but the water/gas or whoever the hell the guys were had to mark their territory with paint and flags so I went with some grassy action and came up with the following. Then I broke my shovel. Oddly enough...most of the quarters found were in bunches stacked on each other.

Finds for the day(s)

9 Quarters
9 Dimes
8 Nickels
16 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1940; 1 Canadian)

Total Coins: 32
Total in Dollars: $3.71

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
586 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1017 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
455 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,232 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40(2), '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '56D, '58(2)) (79 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,317 Total Coins
Total value: $307.88
Total to go: $192.12

Ca$hville

2009-06-21T21:33:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Fifteen - Sunday, June 21

Metal detecting in hot hot heat is not a desirable thing. Add the fact of recurring visits to the same spots and you get what I had here last weekend: underwhelming finds. Even if I only scanned for an hour or so. It'll have to do. Plus I found my 1,000th dime of the year. How's that for excitement?

Finds for the day(s)

6 Quarters
13 Dimes
4 Nickels
37 Pennies
1 NAMCO Token

Total Coins: 60
Total in Dollars: $3.67

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
577 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
1008 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
447 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,216 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '56D, '58(2)) (78 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,285 Total Coins
Total value: $304.17
Total to go: $195.83

$300 & Counting...Barely

2009-06-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Thirteen - Friday, June 19

I didn't need much to cross the three century mark for the year and I planned accordingly. One school and out. Maybe two if there wasn't summer school at the one en route to my destination. There was school at the second which was fine by me. In a half-hearted attempt at a partially water-logged schoolyard after a booming thunderstorm I scanned up 87c (not including the nickel I found in my change bag from the other day! WOOT!). But there was a wheatie included in the metallic debris and also an owl stickpin. I want to show it to my little girl this weekend but it's a bit sharp and she loves to touch and examine things. Whenever she sees her grandma she always kisses her hummingbird charm on the necklace and says, "Bwood." Then, quite frequently, she either starts stiff-arming or wiggles to get down from the barrage of smoochies so she can scamper about and explore everything in this big old world. That's my clone. She's my little inspiration!

Crazy to think that I'm 5 dimes away from 1,000 for the year! Yay, kids, keep on losing your change!

Finds for the day(s)

1 Quarters
6 Dimes
1 Nickel
2 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1956D)

Total Coins: 10
Total in Dollars: $0.92

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
571 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
995 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
443 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,179 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '56D, '58(2)) (78 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,225 Total Coins
Total value: $300.50
Total to go: $199.50

Walking the Dirt Dog

2009-06-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Eleven - Wednesday, June 17

Some people sit with the morning paper and learn facts and figures. Others walk the dog or themselves. Some sleep past noon and can't be concerned with morning. I, however, walk the dirt dog, finding coins and stuff hither and thither. Today I barely finished one schoolyard and got in the car to drive before the rains came. Lucky thing too because I was closing in on $300 for the season and that way I will have a goal for the next morn. 42 cents or bust!

Finds for the day(s)

7 Quarters
22 Dimes
15 Nickels
31 Pennies (1 Canadian)

Total Coins: 77
Total in Dollars: $5.01

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
570 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
989 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
442 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,177 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '58(2)) (78 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,215 Total Coins
Total value: $299.58
Total to go: $205.43

Post Carnival Clad Patrol

2009-06-16T06:31:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Ten - Tuesday, June 16

Nothing too exciting there today and only a couple of sweet spots were found. Otherwise it was a lot of roaming for nothing.

Finds for the day(s)

5 Quarters
9 Dimes
30 Pennies (1 Canadian)

Total Coins: 44
Total in Dollars: $2.45

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
563 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
967 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
427 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,146 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '58(2)) (77 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,144 Total Coins
Total value: $294.57
Total to go: $205.43

The Carnival Has Left the Building

2009-06-15T21:02:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Nine - Monday, June 15

I got an hour or so in as the trucks were beginning to roll out. Too bad the sun was so hot and the nephew I brought along was complaining enough that I just nixed the rest of the expedition. I found a couple sweet spots of coin but nothing overwhelming. I will get back there sometime this week as time permits. Closing rapidly in on $300!

Finds for the day(s)

3 Quarters
6 Dimes
9 Nickels
6 Pennies (2 Canadian)
1 Sterling Silver Heart Earring

Total Coins: 24
Total in Dollars: $2.16

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
3 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
558 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
958 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
427 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,116 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '58(2)) (76 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,100 Total Coins
Total value: $292.12
Total to go: $207.88

Early Morning Session Before the Fair Leaves Town

2009-06-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Nine - Monday, June 15

Went to my old faithful school in the ghetto and found another $4.04. The first visit which produced less than $5! Guess I shouldn't go once a month any more, eh? Yeah, right! $4 is top notch for a whole playground let alone a small little play area with great yields. I also hit another small part which I've been meaning to hit for a while now and came up with close to $4 there as well. For some odd reason when circling a merry-go-round you miss stuff on the first revolution that you must go back and retrieve in a counterclockwise motion. I also found a 1964 Ruse Felt which always makes me happy. Now, just to wait until the last of the carnies leave the nearby park so that I can go scour the grounds for an easy $5-$10 of loose change left from the rollicking crowds.

Finds for the day(s)

12 Quarters
32 Dimes (1 Silver 1964)
21 Nickels (1 Canadian)
68 Pennies (2 Canadian)
Various Junk

Total Coins: 133
Total in Dollars: $7.93

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
2 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
558 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
958 Dimes (3 Canadian)(1 Silver 1964)
427 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,116 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '58(2)) (76 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

4,076 Total Coins
Total value: $289.96
Total to go: $210.04

New Additions to the Family II

2009-06-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

New Additions:

6 Quarter Rolls = $60
7 Dime Rolls = $35
5 Nickel Rolls = $10

Totals $105

Total Rolled Coins:

41 Quarter Rolls = $410
53 Dime Rolls = $265
30 Nickel Rolls = $060
54 Penny Rolls = $027

Totals $762

Beavers & Caesars & Old Mexico

2009-06-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Eight - Sunday, June 14

You will not quantify what I have found by what you know or believe. Yeah, sure, I've had too much sun and so did my nephews who claim to be backstreet gangstas but couldn't weather a few hours in the sun. So I cut each session short and had to rush them home to their video games and cool inner climes. WIMPS. A few hot coins later and I have a surmountable pile of clad and etc. How wass your Sunday?

Finds for the day(s)

22 Quarters
28 Dimes
10 Nickels (1 Canadian)
58 Pennies
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Caesarland Token
Various Junk

Total Coins: 119
Total in Dollars: $9.33

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
2 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
546 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
926 Dimes (3 Canadian)
406 Nickels (3 Canadian)
2,048 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '58(2)) (74 Canadian)
1 Mexican $1 Coin
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

3,943 Total Coins
Total value: $282.03
Total to go: $217.97

The Good, The Clad and the Fugly

2009-06-13T16:07:00.000-07:00

Day One Hundred-Seven - Saturday, June 13

I finally got back out now that school is over! Good finds clad-wise with one silver ring!

Finds for the day(s)

1 Eisenhower Dollar
24 Quarters
28 Dimes
21 Nickels
51 Pennies (1 Canadian)
1 Silver Pinky Ring
1 Pentagrammy Dogtag
Various Costume Jewelry

Total Coins: 125
Total in Dollars: $11.36

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
2 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
1 Eisenhower Dollar Coin
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
524 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
898 Dimes (3 Canadian)
396 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,990 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '58(2)) (74 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

3,824 Total Coins
Total value: $272.70
Total to go: $227.30

Half way there

2009-05-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

Day Eighty-Seven - Sunday, May 24

I crossed several milestones today: halfway to my $500 goal, my 500th quarter of the season and um, yeah, that's it. Big news eh? Sure was.

Finds for the day(s)

1 James Monroe Dollar Coin
22 Quarters
42 Dimes (1 Canadian)
28 Nickels
110 Pennies (5 Canadian)
Various Costume Jewelry

Total Coins: 203
Total in Dollars: $13.15

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 James Monroe Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
500 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
870 Dimes (3 Canadian)
375 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,939 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '58(2)) (73 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

3,699 Total Coins
Total value: $261.34
Total to go: $238.66

Altes, Big Money Bling & NO CASH VALUE

2009-05-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

Day Eighty-Six - Saturday, May 23

I got off my lazy ass and dug a local park that should be empty of coins by now but alas it isn't. It afforded me $1+ in just over an hour plus a few old Altes beer caps, a Canadian Quarter, a token and a wheatie. They are a little beat up but they are in better shape than most Altes caps considering that I've never seen another Altes cap! The rest of this coin pile is from this morning. I went back to one of the old faithful schoolyards and plucked out another $7 from the place. I'd have to go back and check my previous visits there but I'd say that my average take is nearly $8 or $9 a pop. I've already went there three times this year and took home $15-$20. Hence, my theory that $2 a month is being lost there is wholly inaccurate! It's got to be close to $5 a month. Those kids must have holes in their pockets.

I'll be half way to my goal tomorrow if I find at least $1.81 which I should within the first hour or so. Boo ya (or something).

Finds for the day(s)

18 Quarters (2 Candian)
50 Dimes (1 Canadian)
30 Nickels
92 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1951D, 2 Canadian)
1 NO CASH VALUE Token
1 Chuck "E" Cheese Token
2 Altes Caps
Bling
Misc. debris

Total Coins: 190
Total in Dollars: $11.92

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
478 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(5 Canadian)
828 Dimes (3 Canadian)
347 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,829 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '51D, '52, '58(2)) (68 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

3,496 Total Coins
Total value: $248.19
Total to go: $251.81

Rainbows, Thunderstorms and Torrential Rains

2009-05-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

Day Eighty-Two - Tuesday, May 19

I was in the Nashville area over the weekend and between rainbows, thunderstorms and torrential rains I managed to hit a school and find a pocketful of clad. Other than that I've been sickeningly reticent to go out with the nice weather bringing the volk from their hovels and into the parks. When I see people I leave. I get in those phases. Oh well, when the kids get out of school next month I will be hitting the playgrounds with regularity. I will be back to digging tomorrow methinks. Almost halfway to the goal (despite my slacking) and summer is yet to start.

Finds for the day(s)

13 Quarters
21 Dimes
12 Nickels
44 Pennies
1 Asian Looking Coin
2 Keys
1 Lego Man
Misc. debris

Total Coins: 90
Total in Dollars: $6.39

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
460 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
778 Dimes (2 Canadian)
317 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,737 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '52, '58(2)) (66 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

3,306 Total Coins
Total value: $236.27
Total to go: $264.73

Happy Money Day

2009-05-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

Day Seventy-Three - Sunday, May 10

I visited two schools this morning. One was an old mainstay and the other a place where I visited one very cold spring day last year and my handle literally shattered into multiple pieces for some odd reason. This time it wasn't quite so bad. After diddling around and finding my allotment of coins I was ready to leave. But there was one section that I had missed in passing and decided to circle back and hit it before leaving. A good move as I found a 10K wedding band. For some the hashpipe might have been their high but I'll go with the token, the wheater, the ring and the pile of quarters.

Finds for the day(s)

1 10K Gold Wedding Band
17 Quarters
17 Dimes
14 Nickels
30 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1958)(1 Canadian)
1 Wilson Marine Boat Cash Token
1 Multnomah County, OR Pet License
1 Hashpipe

Total Coins: 78
Total in Dollars: $6.95

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 10K Gold Wedding Band
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
447 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
757 Dimes (2 Canadian)
305 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,693 Pennies (15 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D, '50D, '52, '58(2)) (66 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

3,216 Total Coins
Total value: $229.88
Total to go: $270.12

Back in Green

2009-05-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

Day Seventy-Two - Saturday, May 9

Between baby visits, machine failures, rain, more rain, windy weather and sheer laziness of physical proportions I have only gotten out three times in the past two weeks. This is bound to change but I'm not sure how much despite my coin goals! I simply don't like detecting with a lot of people roaming the park/school.It's not always about phobia but sometimes just not wanting to be around people while I'm enjoying myself. Think of it like this: having dinner in the middle of the street. See, that kinda sucks doesn't it? Sure does. Traffic, lack of free space and general clouds on a good mood. We'll see though. I'll be out first thing tomorrow as I like to do it.

Finds for the day(s)

11 Quarters
28 Dimes
17 Nickels
68 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1944)(5 Canadian)

Total Coins: 124
Total in Dollars: $7.08

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
430 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
740 Dimes (2 Canadian)
291 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,663 Pennies (14 Wheat 1911, 30[2], '40, '44(2), '45(2), '46, '48, '48D,'50D, '52, '58) (65 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

3,138 Total Coins
Total value: $222.93
Total to go: $278.07

If You Need Me I'll Be in Cladland

2009-04-26T05:20:00.000-07:00

Day Fifty-Nine - Sunday, April 26

Ah- the weekends! I was really lazy this weekend but still gout out to a few locations each day with moderate results. I went back to one of my lucky spots and though I'd only been there a month or so ago I still found $3+. Today wasn't as lucky but I made my quota for clad and I'm happy enough for that.

Finds for the day(s)

27 Quarters
24 Dimes
15 Nickels
44 Pennies (3 Canadian)
2 Chuck "E" Cheese Tokens
1 Boy Scout Tie Clip

Total Coins: 110
Total in Dollars: $10.19

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
419 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
712 Dimes (2 Canadian)
274 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,595 Pennies (13 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'44,'45(2),'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58) (60 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

3,014 Total Coins
Total value: $215.85
Total to go: $284.15

200 Dollaraire

2009-04-24T20:33:00.000-07:00

Day Fifty-Seven - Friday, April 24

I haven't been out much the past three days but the times I did I had surges and plateaus. Wednesday I couldn't muster up much enthusiasm and the rain/hail/wind combo factored into that. Yesterday I hit a park that I had been thinking about for a while and it didn't seem to have been hit since the last time I was there last year. Came away with $5 dollars or so and that was enough for me to skip today to attend to other matters while still keeping my three day average.

Finds for the day(s)

13 Quarters
23 Dimes
12 Nickels
69 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1945)(5 Canadian)
1 Key
1 Button

Total Coins: 117
Total in Dollars: $6.84

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
391 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
688 Dimes (2 Canadian)
259 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,551 Pennies (13 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'44,'45(2),'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58) (57 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,904 Total Coins
Total value: $205.66
Total to go: $294.34

A Day Late and a Dollar Eighteen Short of $200 For the Season

2009-04-21T22:29:00.000-07:00

Day Fifty-Four - Tuesday, April 21

Between the rain, the hail, the wind and the angry looks from the sky I managed to get a few hours in both yesterday and today and came up above my quota averages. That's all I was hoping for. 49 degrees today will turn into 79 by Thursday or Friday and the only choices I'll have to make is whether to wear a t-shirt or a polo on my expedition. Go figure. The next time out will push me above $200 for the season. Good times.

Finds for the day(s)

8 Quarters
20 Dimes
10 Nickels
53 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1944)(2 Canadian)
2 Keys
1 Copper Noodle

Total Coins: 91
Total in Dollars: $5.03

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
378 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
665 Dimes (2 Canadian)
247 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,482 Pennies (12 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'44,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(52 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,787 Total Coins
Total value: $198.82
Total to go: $301.18

2-4 M'Kay

2009-04-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

Day Fifty-Three - Monday, April 20

Thursday was a rest day and Friday and Saturday were both travel days but I did get out Sunday after my car lag wore off. After a good half hour of luck I started getting some detector issues and my crappy Bounty Hunter had several cracks at the arm rest. That ended my detective work but not before finding a 24K gold chain and cross and a few piles of clad. Today appears to be a washout with the continuing rain but there's not much I can do about that. I'm falling a little behind but when the weather finally changes over for good there won't be this issue.

Finds for the day(s)

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
11 Quarters
11 Dimes
1 Nickel
10 Pennies (3 Canadian)
1 Butterfly Hairclip

Total Coins: 33
Total in Dollars: $4.00

Year-to-Date Totals

1 24K Gold Chain
1 24K Gold Cross
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
370 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
645 Dimes (2 Canadian)
237 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,429 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(50 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,696 Total Coins
Total value: $193.79
Total to go: $306.21

DEI GRATIA REGINA

2009-04-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

Day Forty-Eight - Wednesday, April 15

I returned to the schoolyard that I had to leave yesterday and the same girl who was swinging in the rain as I left was either still swinging, had returned or is a spectre. Either way I got the hell out of there. No swinging girl is going to kill my coin mojo! So I left and decided to hit a thrift store instead. En route I crossed the path of two schools and quick-changed them over for a decent take. Too bad I didn't also take a decent precaution and pee before I went out because I had to walk funny a few times to quell the stream waters. All told, I did pretty good in both coin and strengthening my bladder. Also, the Canadian coins are returning slowly after a few days of rest. I missed them!

Finds for the day(s)

1 Sacajewa Dollar Coin
16 Quarters
22 Dimes
7 Nickels
29 Pennies (2 Canadian)
Misc Stuff

Total Coins: 75
Total in Dollars: $7.84

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
2 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
359 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
634 Dimes (2 Canadian)
236 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,419 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(47 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,663 Total Coins
Total value: $189.79
Total to go: $310.21

188 Interlocking Pieces

2009-04-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

Day Forty-Seven - Tuesday, April 14

I dropped by a few schools en route to a 2PM appointment with books and got a cluster-f of coins. The last school I had to leave early so I wouldn't be late for the booksale and there were still several sections to check. It's kind of out of the way so I'll have to schedule it for some other Tuesday trip methinks. Said school yielded me almost $9 and I'm pretty sure that I would have cracked the $10 mark there if I hadn't been out of time. This same schoolyard yielded me a mercury dime, gold chain and a sterling silver Zeppelin pendant last year amongst a healthy heaping of clad. I shall be back there at some point later this year. The $18 cross cancels out my lost week and put me right back on my goal. $181.95 already!

Finds for the day(s)

3 Dollar Coins (Sacajewa, Washington, Jefferson)
30 Quarters
52 Dimes
33 Nickels
70 Pennies (2 Canadian)
1 Sterling Silver Earring
1 Chuck "E" Cheese Token
1 Dog Tag
1 Stainless Steel Chain (I think)
Misc Stuff

Total Coins: 188
Total in Dollars: $18.05

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
1 Sterling Silver Earring
2 Dollar Bills
3 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
1 $1 George Washington Coin
1 $1 Sacajewa Coin
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
2 JFK Half Dollars
343 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
612 Dimes (2 Canadian)
229 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,390 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(45 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,588 Total Coins
Total value: $181.95
Total to go: $318.05

Winter's Over (AGAIN)!

2009-04-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

Day Forty-Five - Sunday, April 12

No, I didn't quit! A late snowstorm and circumstances beyond my control gave me a good 6 days off. I made it back on Sunday but with less than normal results. But I was fatigued so any effort was extraordinary all things considered. Count it up.

Finds for the day(s)

5 Quarters
11 Dimes
1 Nickel
26 Pennies (2 Canadian)
1 Key

Total Coins: 43
Total in Dollars: $2.66

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 Dollar Bills
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
308 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
550 Dimes (2 Canadian)
193 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,308 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(43 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,369 Total Coins
Total value: $160.38
Total to go: $339.62

Day Forty-Six - Monday April 14

The kiddies are off from school this week for Spring recess and that should provide some decent daytime activity in the schoolyards free of the little beasts! A good dose of rain should make that a given. Another shortened week due to baby duties at the end of it should cut into that supply and demand though. It won't be enough to stop the force of coin love!

Finds for the day(s)

1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
5 Quarters
10 Dimes
3 Nickels (1944)
12 Pennies
1 ZapZone Token
1 Chuck "E" Cheese Token
1 Fairy Pendant
Etc

Total Coins: 31
Total in Dollars: $3.52

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 Dollar Bills
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
1 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
313 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
560 Dimes (2 Canadian)
196 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,320 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(43 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,400 Total Coins
Total value: $163.90
Total to go: $336.10

New Additions to the Family

2009-04-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

New Additions:

3 Quarter Rolls = $30
5 Dime Rolls = $25
3 Nickel Rolls = $6
1 Penny Roll = $.50

Totals $61.50

Total Rolled Coins:

35 Quarter Rolls = $350
46 Dime Rolls = $230
25 Nickel Rolls = $50
54 Penny Rolls = $17

Totals $647

Two More For One More

2009-04-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

Day Thirty-Eight - Saturday April 4

Yesterday, I went to one of my old faithful geysers of seemingly everpresent coins. Tucked away on the outskirts of the ghetto it is good for $5+ on a good outing. I was just there a month or so ago and plucked a hefty pocket load plus my first gold find of the year. It didn't disappoint once more. $6.41! Which really intrigues me. Exactly how rowdy are these kids?!?!? Or is the playground simply too cramped for them and they are continuously bumping into one another and shaking the coins loose. Considering how many coins fall into the woodchips I wonder how many are being recovered. I would seriously like to do a academic/scientific study on this phenomenon and especially at these schools where I find boatloads of change. The really good ones tend to be in lower class areas where one would imagine that money is harder to come by so there is expectation that it would be held on to tighter. Who knows. Either way it goes into rolls, tins, bags and boxes for my baby girl. Thanks people.

Finds for the day(s)

11 Quarters (1 Canadian)
39 Dimes
27 Nickel
81 Pennies (2 Canadian)
1 Chuck "E" Cheese Token
1 Briggs Stadium Stick Pin
1 Lock
1 Earring
Etc

Total Coins: 158
Total in Dollars: $8.81

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 Dollar Bills
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
303 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
539 Dimes (2 Canadian)
192 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,282 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(43 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,322 Total Coins
Total value: $157.72
Total to go: $342.28

Day Thirty-Nine - Sundayday April 5

Again, my proof of lower class loss is set before ye. 2 schools visited and $15.45 found?!?! These are ridiculous numbers when you think about it. I nearly found $10 at a school that I last year also found about 7 or 8 dollars at. At least this school has a much larger play area --maybe 10 times bigger than my jackpot lot-- so that the numbers seem reasonable for a place unchecked for 6 or 9 months. Yeah, I figure that about $1 per month is lost on these lots on average. Assuming that others are scanning these areas as well makes me think that it would probably be more like $1.50 per month for schools on main roads that are visible to the passerby detective. In the nestled away ones where I find a lot more I stick with the original formula. Maybe I'm getting a little carried away with thinking about this. Oh well- I jumped from just under a quarter of the way to my goal to just over a third of the way to it. That's a jump of nearly $25 in three days. Hell, that's $5 over my weekly goal! Niiiiice!

Finds for the day(s)
1 Andrew Jackson $1 Coin
37 Quarters (1 Canadian
33 Dimes
25 Nickels
65 Pennies (1 Canadian)
Various rings, keys, bling & stuff

Total Coins: 161
Total in Dollars: $15.45

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 Dollar Bills
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
1 $1 Andrew Jackson Coin
340 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(3 Canadian)
572 Dimes (2 Canadian)
217 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,347 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(44 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,483 Total Coins
Total value: $173.17
Total to go: $326.83

Two For One

2009-04-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Day Thirty-Six - Thursday April 2

What's better than a 65 degree day in early April in the Northern climes? Well, an abandoned schoolyard with acres of roaming space to detect, that's what. Too bad it must have been scanned many times because it was an excrutiating few hours trying to locate coin there. The last 10 cents or so took nearly an hour and if not for the safety patrol badge I would have left before reaching my quota. But I didn't because I couldn't. Got to keep the coin rolling in my brothers and sisters. $354.38 to go! That means that I'm nearly 1/3 of the way to my go and it's not even spring yet. Even at $20 per week I would reach it sometime in August around my kewpie's second birthday. That would leave me with nearly 2 months of extra accumulation. I can go for that.

Finds for the day(s)

4 Quarters
8 Dimes
1 Nickel
26 Pennies
1 Safety Patrol Captain's Badge

Total Coins: 39
Total in Dollars: $2.11

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 Dollar Bills
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
284 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(2 Canadian)
490 Dimes (2 Canadian)
163 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,182 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(40 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,094 Total Coins
Total value: $145.62
Total to go: $354.38

Day Thirty-Seven - Wednesday April 3

The old saw for Michigan weather has and always will be "Don't worry, it'll change." Sure enough...it changed. A 25 degree drop in temperature and a 25 mph increase in wind speed makes for a typical juxtaposition of one day to the next for this state. But, at least it's expected and nobody gets their hopes up here. Carry two sets of clothes and be prepared to get wet, frostbitten or sunburned. As far as the detecting goes: I went and scanned a school that I hit last weekend in my hit and run playground blitzkrieg. Not ironically, I found way more in the ground than in the wood chips. This is usually the case anyway. Which is why I prefer the former. I do like the wood chips though because they are a change up and it gives my ailing digging wrist a break. However, I don't much like doing both during the same session so it's either/or. Today it was or. Tomorrow it will be the easy road. $5 or bust!

PS...found my 500th dime of the season. Not too shabby!

Finds for the day(s)

8 Quarters
10 Dimes
2 Nickels
19 Pennies (1 Canadian)

Total Coins: 39
Total in Dollars: $3.29

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 Dollar Bills
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
292 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(2 Canadian)
500 Dimes (2 Canadian)
165 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,201 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(41 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,133 Total Coins
Total value: $148.91
Total to go: $351.09

April Fews Day

2009-04-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

Day Thirty-Five - Wednesday April 1

I learned a valuable lesson today in the natural elements of the weather: never get stuck out in the middle of nowhere in a wind storm! Not that I was stuck out in the hinterlands but the wind was so fierce that at times I had trouble holding teh detector from blowing out from my hand! Not to mention that my mop of hair was splattered all over the air and my hat sent tumbling and fumbling along. Nonetheless I made my quota and then proceeded to fall asleep sitting up after eating some meatloaf.

Finds for the day(s)

6 Quarters
3 Dimes
1 Nickel
21 Pennies

Total Coins: 31
Total in Dollars: $2.06

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 Dollar Bills
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
280 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(2 Canadian)
482 Dimes (2 Canadian)
162 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,156 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(40 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,055 Total Coins
Total value: $143.51
Total to go: $356.49

Hello & Goodbye Kitty

2009-03-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

Day Thirty-Four - Tuesday March 31

Got out in the early afternoon to a remote park playground that I think only I check. I found about a dollar in change in a quick 20 minutes also witnessed a heinous act by somebody in the parking lot some 2 or 3 hundred yards from where I was at. I look around more than a bird does in search of enemies. I like to detect alone (and I mean real alone; unless I actually bring somebody with me!) and any movement in my periphery begs my immediate attention so that I can make my getaway. Casual conversation with strangers is anathema to what I'm doing out in the field. Anyhow, I spied a car pulling up and I quickly said to myself, "Keep going %@$@#!@!" despite the great distance between the parked car and myself. I watched as somebody got out of the car and looked to be unleashing their dog for a quick run in the field. Instead it looked more like a soft toss and what appeared to be a velvety black kitten flew briefly with a parachute on its back, landed and darted towards a small stream to the south of his release. "Hmmm..." I thought, "a cat who goes for field walks and wears a parachute." I looked away for a few seconds carrying on with my task and when I looked back I saw the person retreating to the passenger side of the car and shutting the door. "No way." I said to myself, knowing exactly what was coming. Sure enough, the car backed out and drove off. Cretins! I could see the car as it was leaving and the most egregious of acts of placing their turn signal on and moving off. Truly disgusting. A few minutes later I finished the play area off and walked over to where kitty should be. I did the old kissing cat call as I walked but did not see him despite scanning the meandering stream which he surely hadn't traversed. Finally, as I was approaching the parking lot to leave I saw him. He was standing out on the soccer field near the netted goal. When I called for him again he ran off zig-zagging in his gait seemingly confused as though intrigued by my calls. I said a few expletives to audibly and got to the car only to see him sitting across the way looking and then darting off again as workers were approaching the play area. I will have to visit the park again next Tuesday and see if he is still there roaming the grounds. Hopefully the sick bastards who dumped him will have a change of heart and come back for him. Maybe even just to check on the poor soul. Hopefully I cross their path because I'll take down their plate and report their vile abandonment. Oh yes, the coin hunting went well again for about 2 hours total including my late afternoon revisiting of yesterday's romp.

Finds for the day(s)

9 Quarters
11 Dimes
6 Nickels
19 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1945)(1 Canadian)

Total Coins: 45
Total in Dollars: $3.84

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 Dollar Bills
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
274 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(2 Canadian)
479 Dimes (2 Canadian)
161 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,135 Pennies (11 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'45,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(40 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,055 Total Coins
Total value: $141.45
Total to go: $358.55

Hit-and-run

2009-03-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

Day Thirty-Three - Monday March 30

I like to do hit-and-run detecting on the weekends at the local school playgrounds but doing it at a field is just as fun, though a little more tiring. Albeit, I didn't plan to do a quickie, it just happened. In a quick 1.5 hours and basically in the first 45 minutes or so I crossed the $2 threshold and could have been on my way. But I chose to go to other parts of the park in hopes of finding some older coins like I have before at this location. Nada! So, I'll go back there in the next few days and clean up the remaining hot spots and be done with it. It's always nice to find quarters in in the ground in a mostly penny world. Stay tuned for more.

Finds for the day(s)

8 Quarters
7 Dimes
2 Nickels
30 Pennies

Total Coins: 47
Total in Dollars: $3.10

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 Dollar Bills
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
265 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(2 Canadian)
468 Dimes (2 Canadian)
155 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,116 Pennies (9 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(39 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

2,010 Total Coins
Total value: $137.61
Total to go: $362.39

Indian Winter

2009-03-29T18:45:00.000-07:00

Day Thirty-Two - Sunday March 29

Is kaput! Well, for the day it was anyway. Swept away by a northerly gust from that country up there with the animal obversed coins and the persnickety queen. The homeland of permafrost and "Ay." Keep your snowflakes Canada but please keep the flow of metal discs heading right this way. Anyhow, I went out in it and was fairly successful at the hit and runs of three school playgrounds. Battling the wind and constant urination urges and subsequent clandestine relievings I made my quota. That's what it's about anyhow. Oh, and I found my first Aussie coin! 5 kangaroos or something like that.

Finds for the day(s)

13 Quarters
16 Dimes
8 Nickels
25 Pennies (2 Canadian)
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin
2 Kids Rings
1 Lock and Key

Total Coins: 63
Total in Dollars: $5.51

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 Dollar Bills
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
257 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(2 Canadian)
461 Dimes (2 Canadian)
153 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,086 Pennies (9 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(39 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 Australian 5 Cent Coin

1,963 Total Coins
Total value: $134.51
Total to go: $365.49

NO CA$H VALUE

2009-03-28T17:56:00.000-07:00

Day Thirty-One - Saturday March 28

The good feel of a found quarter dollar coin in your hand is not so much a boon in fiduciary terms as it is in onanistic numismatics. Yeah, it's that good. So why is it then that an obverse with NO CASH VALUE emblazoned across it gives that same glandular clicking feeling in the proverbial change purse? Why, because it's sport and the thrill of recovering something of value that didn't mean that much to its previous owner is one of smug satisfaction. Though I still enjoy finding gold and silver it's just not the same as finding a unique or scarce coin or token. How about a $50 bill, pal? Yes, I welcome that possibility into my heart and so would you.

Finds for the day(s)

1 Dollar Bill
16 Quarters (1 Canadian)
13 Dimes
8 Nickels
44 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1950D)(1 Canadian)
1 Jeepers Token
1 Diary Key

Total Coins: 81
Total in Dollars: $7.14

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver Ring
2 JFK Half Dollars
2 Dollar Bills
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
244 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(2 Canadian)
445 Dimes (2 Canadian)
145 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,061 Pennies (9 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'46,'48,'48D,'50D,'52,'58)(38 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,900 Total Coins
Total value: $129.00
Total to go: $371.00

(Worm)Heads or (Grub)Tails?

2009-03-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

Day Thirty - Friday March 27

Ah- Viva la spring! Let the beheading and vivisection of worms and grubs begin in earnest. A terrible fate for the underground dwellers but I assume that a broad chested robin poking its beak through the soil into your loamy abode and eating you like linguini doesn't feel much better. Such are the calamities of sports and industry. Another downfall is almost spraining your wrist on a knot of crabgrass as you attempt to plunge a lightweight gardening trowel into the otherwise pliant earth. I'm not sure what it is about these dead and straw-like stalks of grass but they are akin to foot thick neoprene barriers that repel the common touch of your shovel. Force it in and something will give: plant, mineral or human physiology. I'd choose but then what the hell would the leisurely gods do with all their idle time?

Yah...whose kids are featured on these tokens? The Schmoo's? Damn hideous graphics!

Finds for the day(s)

3 Quarters
9 Dimes
5 Nickels
92 Pennies (1 Canadian)
2 Kid Kingdom Tokens
1 St. Paul Pendant
1 Lady Bug Looking Earring

Total Coins: 109
Total in Dollars: $2.82

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver
2 JFK Half Dollars
1 Dollar Bill
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
228 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(1 Canadian)
432 Dimes (2 Canadian)
137 Nickels (2 Canadian)
1,017 Pennies (8 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'46,'48,'48D,'52,'58)(37 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,819 Total Coins
Total value: $121.86
Total to go: $378.14

Metal Detecting is 80% Humidity and 20% Medication

2009-03-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-Nine - Thurssday March 26

At least it is during the spring and summer months in Michigan. It's hard to detect when your head feels compressed with concrete in the sinus passages but who's complaining? Not I. I will, however, take slight umbrage with my shovel breaking today. I was in the early stages of revisiting the clad monster park where I've found nearly $20 so far and it slowly started unraveling like a can being opened. It's amazing that so much money could be lost in a 40 x 40 foot swath of land and more so that it basically hides discreetly below the grass at the top layer of dirt. Anyhow, I got a new shovel but didn't have much enthusiasm for scanning. Still, I made my quota once more and got a little exercise out of the deal as well.

Finds for the day(s)

3 Quarters
14 Dimes
5 Nickels
20 Pennies (1 Canadian)

Total Coins: 42
Total in Dollars: $2.60

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver
2 JFK Half Dollars
1 Dollar Bill
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
225 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(1 Canadian)
423 Dimes (2 Canadian)
132 Nickels (2 Canadian)
925 Pennies (8 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'46,'48,'48D,'52,'58)(37 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,710 Total Coins
Total value: $119.04
Total to go: $380.96

Scanning the Surface

2009-03-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-Eight - Wednesday March 25

I'll be the first metal detective to veer from the "Any day spent metal detecting is a good day" by saying that when I'm not finding stuff it's kinda boring. So I was saying this to myself while coming up to my second hour of scanning and just about ready to quit as I was over my $2 daily thresh hold. Luckily I always follow my rule of ending on a find and seeing as I hadn't had much luck in a good 10 minutes or so I was getting frustrated. So I went back to the part of the park where I thought I had exhausted all caches from the previous years' carnivals. I started hitting random dimes (as you can see) that were just below the upper skin of the dirt and started to get back into it. Nearly 8 dollars and about an hour later I had a tennis ball sized wad of coins in my pocket. Not bad for an hour of barely digging!

Is it just me or does Jefferson look very Planet Of the Apes with copper colored eyeballs?

Finds for the day(s)

2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
6 Quarters
51 Dimes
12 Nickels
50 Pennies (3 Canadian)
1 Key

Total Coins: 121
Total in Dollars: $9.70

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver
2 JFK Half Dollars
1 Dollar Bill
2 $1 Thomas Jefferson Coins
222 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(1 Canadian)
409 Dimes (2 Canadian)
127 Nickels (2 Canadian)
905 Pennies (8 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'46,'48,'48D,'52,'58)(36 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,668 Total Coins
Total value: $116.44
Total to go: $383.56

This has nothing to do with metal detecting but...

2009-03-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-Seven - Tuesday March 24

Tuesdays are my blues-days and busy days as well so I only detect while en route to places. That is, between point A and B I'll stop at point A1 and perhaps A2 to detect and then proceed to point B afterwards. There were approximately E or F points today but I got out to three parks in between for a good hour or so and came up with the booty above. I crossed my Mendoza line for my weekday bare minimum but even if I would have found 5 gold rings, 2 walking liberties and a satchel full of tokens I wouldn't have been happy since I found out that Hall of Fame baseball player George Kell had died. For those of you outside of the Detroit area the name might be familiar but here it's a household name like Ernie Harwell, Bruce Martin, Sid Abel, Al Kaline, Paul Carey and George Blaha are. This area was blessed with great radio announcers and they are slowly dying off. This has nothing to do with metal detecting but it's making a hollow ringing inside me like a big fat juicy quarter under the turf does to my crappy machine. Carry on.

Oh yeah, I found a dog tag minus the dog and it says REWARD and the phone number. Should I call and say that "I've found their invisible dog and he's A-OK so where's muh monee?"

Finds for the day(s)

7 Quarters (1 Canadian)
4 Dimes
4 Nickels
9 Pennies (1 Canadian)
1 Dog Tag
1 Bass Pro Shop Moose Tag

Total Coins: 24
Total in Dollars: $2.44

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver
2 JFK Half Dollars
1 Dollar Bill
216 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)(1 Canadian)
358 Dimes (2 Canadian)
115 Nickels (2 Canadian)
855 Pennies (8 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'46,'48,'48D,'52,'58)(33 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,547 Total Coins
Total value: $106.74
Total to go: $393.26

Frank Dombeck H.E.P.C. F.S. DIV, ENOR & ETC

2009-03-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-Six - Monday March 23

I didn't spend very much time "out in the field" today but the time I did spend was fruitful. And a little strange too as can be evidenced by the ENOR cookie and the Advance Quartz clock. The ENOR cookie may in fact be a cigarette lighter but I'm not certain. I've contacted the ENOR Lighter company and hopefully they'll let me know. It makes sense either way. The keychain clock is what it is: a 70s or 80s relic! Too bad it's so rusted or I'd replace the battery and make use of it because I have a feeling that it is indestructable and will work forever. We'll see!

The Frank Dombeck token/coin is a mystery as well. It looks like something given out at a high school track meet or something but I could be totally wrong. It's a nice addition to my token collection nonetheless. As are the several small piles of coins which I found mostly in a small area behind a dumpster near a football field/track. The dumpster is a mystery as it's been there for a few years and nothing seems to be happening at the place. Then again I'm not exactly paying attention now am I?

Finds for the day(s)

8 Quarters
14 Dimes
1 Nickel
20 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1948)(1 Canadian)
1 Frank Dombeck H.E.P.C. F.S. DIV Token
stuff

Total Coins: 43
Total in Dollars: $3.65

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver
2 JFK Half Dollars
1 Dollar Bill
209 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)
354 Dimes (2 Canadian)
111 Nickels (2 Canadian)
846 Pennies (8 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'46,'48,'48D,'52,'58)(32 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,523 Total Coins
Total value: $104.30
Total to go: $395.70

New Additions to the Family

2009-03-22T19:46:00.000-07:00

$91.50

Total Rolled Coins: $595.50

Down to My Playing Weight

2009-03-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-Five - Sunday March 22

After a two day layoff for baby-time I return with vengeance! My self-proclaimed expectations for the three day period is as follows: Friday $2 (as with all weekdays); Saturday and Sunday $5 each weekend day; total $12. I met those terms and then some. Toss in a silver ring, two wheats and a batting cage token and the three days condensed into one was a major success. I'm well ahead of my goal for the year and if this continues I should be able to meet my ultimate yearly goal by August, which is not incidentally when my baby girl's 2nd birthday will occur.

While detecting today I got around to thinking that although metal detecting is not a sport it takes on some characteristics of a few. For instance, when one finds a coin in the woodchip havens of the playground he is wise to pivot, as one does in basketball without dribbling, and to coil the earth in a 360 degree swoop so as to scan the entire range of the expectant projectory of the lost launched coins. I didn't really think any more about sports other than "I'm down to my playing weight" for detecting and this is merely subjective and apropos for the shapeless hobby. SWING!

PS The $100 mark for the year has been met!

Finds for the day(s)

1 Sterling Silver Ring
24 Quarters
55 Dimes
20 Nickels
104 Pennies (2 Wheat: 1911, '46)(4 Canadian)
1 Iron Mike Batting Cage Token
stuff

Total Coins: 203
Total in Dollars: $13.54

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Sterling Silver
2 JFK Half Dollars
1 Dollar Bill
201 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)
340 Dimes (2 Canadian)
110 Nickels (2 Canadian)
826 Pennies (7 Wheat 1911, 30[2],'40,'46,'48,'52,'58)(31 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,480 Total Coins
Total value: $100.65
Total to go: $399.35

Silver $13.51/oz ^0.62

2009-03-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-Two - Thursday March 19

With silver on the rise and gold at the boiling point the numismatic values of coins are only relative to the push and pull of the well-orchestrated markets. You may so no to this and the open market will too because true value is merely what one can get for his wares. That aside, gold and silver are the metal detective's holy grail. Seeing as finding gold in the coin form is fairly very rare the default coin wet dream is something silver. As soon as the government started pulling the precious metals from their coinage the general public seized upon the opportunity to haord them. Thus, there aren't very many in circulation. What's prevalent seems to be the borderline coins that came the year after the fall of real money. So I get repeated finds of 1965 quarters and dimes and everything but buffalo head nickels and the war silver years of 1942-45. It's not a gripe per se just an observation. Now get your kids out there with the sterling and encourage them to shake, rattle and roll. Once their coins are all deposited safely in the ground you can feel free to go straight home and don't come out again until you're ready to replenish the Earth.

Finds for the day(s)

14 Quarters
12 Dimes (1 Canadian)
5 Nickels
39 Pennies (2 Canadian)
1 Baby Picture Cameo
1 Mood Ring Looking Ring
1 Thingy

Total Coins: 70
Total in Dollars: $5.34

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
2 JFK Half Dollars
1 Dollar Bill
177 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)
285 Dimes (2 Canadian)
90 Nickels (2 Canadian)
722 Pennies (5 Wheat 1930[2], '40, '48, '52,'58)(27 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,277 Total Coins
Total value: $87.11
Total to go: $412.89

Of Regina, Elizabeth, Gawd & Maple Leaf$

2009-03-18T20:20:00.001-07:00

"Dei Gratia Regina" and all that gibberish aside, the Canadian penny is perhaps one of my favorite metal detecting finds (though if I could find the 1967 Canadian Nickel with the hare on it I might change my mind). Unlike its American counterpart, this sous is only an occasional find and breaks the monotony of digging up old Abe Lincoln over and over and over again. While I'm not sure of the cause for the cameo portrait of Elizabeth II on the 1964 version of the cent it is the favored version for me. It could be the relatively scarcity of it in my finds or just that the D. G. initialed on most Can-Pens is actually spelled out and translates instantly in my head to "Thank God for Regina Spektor". Even though I know that's not what it means, surely it should. Plus Lizzy looks more like Emily Dickinson and not some old crone bequeathed with Queenhood -- actually...is there really a difference -- by some nefarious Roman bastard! Not to mention the hideous older pennies with Teddy Rex and the neo-versions of the queen in her geriatric years (see below). Luckily, the maple leaf on the reverse (as with the moose on their quarter and the beaver on the nickel), which totally obliterates and obfuscates the haughtiness of royalty and makes me happy for our hockey hungry neighbors to the north (to the east for me as well), has endured these obverse face-lifts through the years. O Coinada!

Dead Man's Hill & Beyond

2009-03-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-One - Wednesday March 18

I was told a couple summers ago when I was in the throes of trying to find wheat pennies that I should look on a hill near the woods if I wanted them. So today I got around to it. Again. The last time I visited the woods in search of coins I ended up at the emergency clinic with Cellulitis in my purple-tinged foot and calf from some kind of bug bite. Being that it is still late winter the chances of bug bites are diminished greatly. The hill I ended up at was Dead Man's Hill.

I had been to previous spots earlier and this was my last stop for the day. Ironically enough I had already found a wheat penny nowhere near a hill or woods and was only stopping here because the corpulent man with the mustache suggested I do so.

Upon arriving at the noted sledding spot I said to myself, "And people say that Michigan is flat!" I wandered around with moderate success and reminisced about a few tragedies, incidents and frivolities which have personally and publicly occurred there.

Back in the late 70s and early 80s (and maybe before and since) there was the occasional accident there that resulted in death. A day or so after one of the deadly incidents the local paper was there and my brother ended up in the cover picture for the story. Another time another brother got a huge splinter and subsequent infected arm from the wooden stair railings that form a T (along with the gazebo) on the half circle of the hill which is buttressed by the meandering park road on the north end. I finally made it to the "peak" where I found the greater majority of the finds including the JFK Half. There was also a sign reminding the inhabitants of the hill that it used to a landfill which now has a protective barrier that allows safe usage for the general public. So goes the ethereal charm of the hill, eh? Damn this mostly flat land!

Finds for the day(s)

1 JFK Half Dollar
8 Quarters
17 Dimes
4 Nickels
71 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1940)(7 Canadian)
1 Kid's Star Pendant

Total Coins: 101
Total in Dollars: $5.11

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
2 JFK Half Dollars
1 Dollar Bill
163 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)
273 Dimes (1 Canadian)
85 Nickels (2 Canadian)
683 Pennies (5 Wheat 1930[2], '40, '48, '52,'58)(25 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,207 Total Coins
Total value: $81.77
Total to go: $418.23

Foke a Boobie

2009-03-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty - Tuesday March 17

Sometimes when I'm motoring along down the road and I find myself berating people who are in the way or due to their lack of driving acumen, I think of my little daughter and then purposely refrain from being a belligerent. I wouldn't want her to see me being demonic and to avoid being that way I find myself often on the side streets and highways keeping to my own path of serenity. That way when I'm with her it's much easier to be a civilized being. These sentiments haven't always been shared by the older generations. Normal speech and actions from the 70s and earlier are now seen as immoral and derelict. Funny enough then that I fondly remember some neighborhood ne'er-do-well casually saying "want to smoke a doobie" in front of one of my baby brothers back in the early 80s and the little mushy head full of curiosity spewed back, "wanna foke a boobie." Much to the delight of a private gathering but an utter embarrassment for a public occasion to which a few of these utterances were given wings. Anyhow, finding this makeshift pipe was the turning point in a lackluster detecting adventure. Soon thereafter I turned an hour's worth of sporadic penny plucking into a normal couple hours out. The pipe is like finding a primitive tool of the absurd. I never really understood the self-medicating bonding that takes place between smokers. The same thing applies to groups of any kind. So please don't feel slighted if you see me out in the park and you are waving your wand like a placard to join the club and I gradually move in the opposite direction hoping to find the maximum space between two non-stationary points.

Finds for the day(s)

6 Quarters
10 Dimes
3 Nickels
48 Pennies (2 Candian)
1 Hash Pipe

Total Coins: 67
Total in Dollars: $3.13

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 JFK Half Dollar
1 Dollar Bill
155 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)
256 Dimes (1 Canadian)
81 Nickels (2 Canadian)
612 Pennies (4 Wheat 1930[2],'48, '52,'58)(18 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,106 Total Coins
Total value: $76.66
Total to go: $423.34

Silver In, Silver Out

2009-03-16T18:36:00.000-07:00

Day Nineteen - Monday March 16

One has a birthday, the other expires just as he was supposed to and another comes to the surface in a glimmering reminder of a bygone age. I was thinking it ironic that on the day when the news broke of Ron Silver's (the actor) death that I should pull a crisp, clean and beautiful silver quarter from 10 inches deep in the fertile ground while the sun was setting. But then I came to my senses and realized that many Silvers and Golds and even Clads, Pennys and Nickels probably were born and died as well on this and every day. Who knows. Not that I was a devotee of the man but any time an actor passes it always seems more surreal because we have seen their face in dream-like fashion upon a screen and it resonates more because all he was is all that he'll ever be now and forever. So too seemed the coin sparkling in the sandy dirty loam. Seemingly unreal and even more strange to the touch for it is real money and not the fiat waste metals that we trade in now. I read about Mr. Silver and see that he not only became a 9-11 Republican but was also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a group which was and is very instrumental in the fiat money system that we have today. So it all melds together in the end. We are all merely meandering down the path. Pick up that loose bill if you happen upon it with your eyes.

PS found my 1,000th coin of the year at some point during the latest excursion

Finds for the day(s)

1 Dollar Bill
3 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)
11 Dimes
0 Nickels
43 Pennies
other crap

Total Coins: 57
Total in Dollars: $3.28

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 JFK Half Dollar
1 Dollar Bill
149 Quarters (1 Silver 1959)
246 Dimes (1 Canadian)
78 Nickels (2 Canadian)
564 Pennies (4 Wheat 1930[2],'48, '52,'58)(18 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

1,039 Total Coins
Total value: $73.53
Total to go: $426.47

The Glad Clad Man

2009-03-15T19:33:00.001-07:00

Day Eightteen - Sunday March 15

When I talked to the mustached man the other day at the park he told me of the walls of rings, the buckets of silver and the stately treasures of the metal detectives who have graced his presence. Which got me to thinking: so what? Not that I question the validity of these Rockefellers of the dirt find but I simply am not impressed. I'm sure that they would scoff at my monster stash of clad just the same. As they should. I don't find much old stuff per se and I suppose that's because I don't go to old places. I tend to go to places only when nobody else is there. This kind of limits my ability to search the more popular spots for rings and jewelry. No matter, I find what I find. If I search an hour I expect to find at least a dollar in coins. If there is a wheat penny or a silver dime amongst the clad then so be it. When I find the occasional gold or sterling ring I am rarely excited. Jewelry doesn't do it for me. Give me a good token from some obscure theme park and I am giddy, otherwise I'm pretty much a glad clad man.

Finds for the day(s)

13 Quarters
26 Dimes
7 Nickels (1 Canadian)
32 Pennies (1 Canadian)
other stuff

Total Coins: 78
Total in Dollars: $6.52

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 JFK Half Dollar
146 Quarters
235 Dimes (1 Canadian)
78 Nickels (2 Canadian)
521 Pennies (4 Wheat 1930[2],'48, '52,'58)(18 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

982 Total Coins
Total value: $70.25
Total to go: $429.75

When the World Gives You Dimes Make Dollar-Ade

2009-03-14T20:44:00.000-07:00

Day Seventeen - Saturday March 14

Too tired to type. If you want a story go listen to the Prairie Home Companion. Anecdotes will return tomorrow.

Finds for the day(s)

1 JFK Half Dollar
20 Quarters
35 Dimes
13 Nickels
53 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1958)(2 Canadian)
1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
Various Copper Pieces
Turtle Pendant (looks silver)
Coach Pendant
Little Fire Hydrant
Battered Crucifix

Total Coins: 122
Total in Dollars: $10.18

Year-to-Date Totals

1 18K Gold Ring (or so it says but doesn't look the part) w/ a Diamond of Sorts
1 10K Gold Chain
1 JFK Half Dollar
133 Quarters
209 Dimes (1 Canadian)
71 Nickels (1 Canadian)
489 Pennies (4 Wheat 1930[2],'48, '52,'58)(18 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

904 Total Coins
Total value: $63.73
Total to go: $436.27

A Penny For Your Thunks

2009-03-13T16:15:00.000-07:00

Day Sixteen - Friday March 13

Being in public with an noise emitting arm computer illicits sometimes unwanted and unwarranted attention. Let's say a portly guy with a fat mustache stops to chat with you for 45 minutes and tells you his entire metal detecting career, his wares and general philosophy on the hobby. Fine. There's also the lady with the kid who says, "You look like my dad." "If you say so." I tell him, hoping that this isn't a paternity suggestion. "His dad wears a hooded sweatshirt too." mama says and I snort air through my nose in retort and jerk my head back a tad of a nod, suggesting an ah-ha moment. That's right, I'm not your baby daddy. No way. No how. Then there are the squirrels and robins. We make eye contact and I cluck or whistle to let them know that I come in peace but they are not convinced and move away from me with hurried caution. Too bad, really, because I could use a friendly bird on my shoulder to offer suggestions and announce my finds: "Ah- another penny, daddy dumps. Niiice." Or, "Keep diggin' fat fuck 'cause baby needs some new shoes." If that thought isn't evidence enough that nobody should spend too much time alone then I don't know what is. Next time maybe I will propose the notion of nighttime scanning. It intrigues me so.

Finds for the day(s)

4 Quarters
21 Dimes
9 Nickels
70 Pennies (3 Canadian)
1 Disabled Veterans Tag

Total Coins: 104
Total in Dollars: $4.25

Year-to-Date Totals

1 10K Gold Chain
113 Quarters
174 Dimes (1 Canadian)
58 Nickels (1 Canadian)
436 Pennies (4 Wheat 1930[2], 1948, 1952)(16 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

782 Total Coins
Total value: $53.55
Total to go: $446.45

The Dime Hath Come

2009-03-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Day Fifteen - Thursday March 12

And so did you wheat pennies. Waiting 79 years for some perturbed scamp with a hobo scowl to come along with a trowel and arm machine and take you from your loamy tomb. Welcome to my family little bastards! You will sit the next 79 years in a tin in the shady side of a house occupied by myself or a sincere little lady who looks a lot like me. Ah- our fates! All of these meditations on coins and my baby daughter these last two years have put me in a place beyond fear and reproach. Luckily the dime and penny never tire of my hoarse inner oratory and the quarter still offers his sage advice: keep digging my man. Lest I forget you nickel you make your perfectly timed appearance just when I have about given up on the notion of other tones and tales. And so there were the holy four and they were good and filled a piggy bank with their goodness. Amen.

Finds for the day(s)

3 Quarters
20 Dimes
3 Nickels
29 Pennies (2 Wheats: 1930; 1930D)
1 Crucifix w/ Rosary Beads (I think)
1 Guitar Pendant (from the other day that I forgot to add before)

Total Coins: 55
Total in Dollars: $3.19

Year-to-Date Totals

1 10K Gold Chain
109 Quarters
153 Dimes (1 Canadian)
49 Nickels (1 Canadian)
366 Pennies (4 Wheat 1930[2], 1948, 1952)(13 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

678 Total Coins
Total value: $49.30
Total to go: $450.70

The Name is Bond, Savings Bond.

2009-03-11T18:22:00.000-07:00

Day Fourteen - Wednesday March 11

It's kind of odd that I would find a $50 Treasury Bond while metal detecting especially when that's exactly what I intend to use the money for. Now if only I could invent a paper dollar detector this $500 per year goal would be quite simple. Or would it? I can't imagine many dollar bills being hidden in the soil unless they were purposely placed there by some sly criminal or gangster. Anyhow, the cold weather is back and hopefully the ground won't freeze too deeply tonight with the upper teen degree temperatures.

Also, I was wondering how many keys I'd actually found since I decided to start bringing them home after having an initial trepidation that somebody would come looking for their key! Who the hell is looking for a key from 10 years ago though?!?! So then I started thinking: can I recycle them? Yes, I can. Either to the scrap yard which would yield me about 4 cents for 30 keys or to some charitable organization which could deal in bulk and make some money that way. I only found one, Keys for Kindness, but their website is so poorly done that I feel like it could be some crazy old lady collecting cats and old keys or something like that. When they get a more professional setup I'll think about donating. Until then, they go into the general refuse fund.

Oh yeah, remind me to get some 10c coin rolls. Thanks.

Finds for the day(s)

5 Quarters
7 Dimes
4 Nickels
52 Pennies (2 Canadian)
1 Key
detritus

Total Coins: 68
Total in Dollars: $2.67

Year-to-Date Totals

1 10K Gold Chain
106 Quarters
133 Dimes (1 Canadian)
46 Nickels (1 Canadian)
337 Pennies (1 Wheat 1948, 1952)(13 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

623 Total Coins
Total value: $46.11
Total to go: $453.89

Home on the Rain

2009-03-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

Day Thirteen - Tuesday March 10

Somewhere along the line I messed up the date on this thing so don't worry yourself that you've been through a time-warp subterfuge because it just isn't true. However, you are being wrung through the humdrum whether you know it or not. Today the rains returned in full force but in between downpours and places that I was going I managed to scan a few park play areas. I did pretty good too save for the schools that were partially detected by others. Luckily for me these guys are too lazy to do the entire area and they leave me scraps which add up. Start counting and swaying with me coin nerds.

Finds for the day(s)

25 Quarters
15 Dimes
5 Nickels
41 Pennies (2 Canadian)
detritus

Total Coins: 86
Total in Dollars: $8.41

Year-to-Date Totals

1 10K Gold Chain
101 Quarters
126 Dimes (1 Canadian)
42 Nickels (1 Canadian)
285 Pennies (1 Wheat 1948, 1952)(11 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

463 Total Coins
Total value: $43.44
Total to go: $456.56

Fatten the Hatches

2009-03-09T18:11:00.001-07:00

Day Twelve - Monday March 8
You're going to tell me that you motion your wand hither and thither as you follow the sun and the atomic time keeper in moving clockwise around the merry-go-round. Very well. Now reverse your inertia Magellan and get the job done in a counter fashion because there's going to be missed coinage otherwise. As there always is but in this instance you can control it. You may only reap 45 cents but that's plenty enough for you and I. That said, the odds of finding a quarter on the perimeter of a merry-go-round is in the 95 percentile range. Around a slide 50-50. Underneath monkey bars 66% and beneath a tree 78.753. Now if you want to find quick change then you go to the wood chip playgrounds and make your mark. If you want a steady slow craw in the coin dept. then pick an acre or two of frequented public land and plunder the coinage. Here's my damage for the day before the floods return:

Finds for the day(s)

11 Quarters
24 Dimes
8 Nickels (1 Canadian)
74 Pennies (1 Wheat: 1952)(1 Canadian)
detritus

Total Coins: 117
Total in Dollars: $6.19

Year-to-Date Totals

1 10K Gold Chain
76 Quarters
111 Dimes (1 Canadian)
37 Nickels (1 Canadian)
244 Pennies (1 Wheat 1948, 1952)(9 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

469 Total Coins
Total value: $35.03
Total to go: $464.97

Sum-Days are Better than Others

2009-03-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

Day Eleven - Sunday March 7

I woke up on this Daylight Savings Time and post-travel Sunday and went hunting early. In the rain. The latest spate of warmer weather brought with it much rain but also the needed thaw to start hitting the school play yards. No matter, since I was heading to the biggest little treasure trove of playground jungle gym coindom. I won't even mention the city this little gem is in because I know somebody will look for it and take away a quick and minimum $5. I suppose that the big prize was a thin slip of a 10K gold necklace but I almost always prefer the coins over precious metals. Why is this?

Finds for the day(s)

12 Quarters
12 Dimes
7 Nickels
48 Pennies (1 Canadian)
1 10K Gold Chain
1 Key

Total Coins: 79
Total in Dollars: $5.02

Year-to-Date Totals

1 10K Gold Chain
49 Quarters
67 Dimes (1 Canadian)
20 Nickels
223 Pennies (1 Wheat 1948)(8 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

360 Total Coins
Total value: $22.18
Total to go: $477.82

Day Eight Pt. 2- Thursday March 4

I went to one of my better change purse sites in the early afternoon during a lull in the rain. When I got there the lull had ended and the skies opened up. It didn't last but for a half hour or so but was joined as a deterrent with some dude's homemade alarm system that kept going off in his ramshackled garage. It sounded like a tornado siren put into a can and clearly kill any signals I was getting. Nonetheless, I still found a goodly sum and though the siren went off on three different occasions, I got a pocketful of clad.

The second afternoon schoolyard is one that I have been to often and on every occasion it has rained. Sometimes hard, sometimes in moderation but every time it has rained and I get noticeably wet. This time was the worst. Tough luck on the weather but A-OK on the finds despite the Satanic amount! I would have easily topped out above $15 if not for the heavy rains. Oh well, there's always next weekend for the playgrounds.

Finds for the day(s)

16 Quarters
20 Dimes
9 Nickels
21 Pennies
1 Bullet Charm!
1 Barrette

Total Coins: 66
Total in Dollars: $6.66

Year-to-Date Totals

1 10K Gold Chain
65 Quarters
87 Dimes (1 Canadian)
29 Nickels
244 Pennies (1 Wheat 1948)(8 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

426 Total Coins
Total value: $28.84
Total to go: $471.16

V-Dayz

2009-03-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

Day Ten - Saturday March 6

Every other Friday and Saturday are days with my daughter but I managed to slip in a few hours early Saturday morning before picking the cherub up. This is a park that I have hit once before a month or so ago so I was only expecting a dollar or two and that's exactly what I got. Nothing extraordinary or valuable but more goal reducers!

Finds for the day(s)

4 Quarters
6 Dimes
25 Pennies
Stuff

Total Coins: 35
Total in Dollars: $1.85

Year-to-Date Totals

41 Quarters
61 Dimes (1 Canadian)
13 Nickels
201 Pennies (1 Wheat 1948)(3 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

317 Total Coins
Total value: $19.01
Total to go: $480.99

52 Degrees of Makin' the Bacon

2009-03-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

Day Eight - Thursday March 4

It got to 52 degrees today but without the sun there is no progress in the underground ice melt. Well, maybe a little but not much. Still, the kiddie areas of the playground have a good inch of thawed woodchips and the ground is movable down to two inches so there's no crying! I fared much better today though not because of the conditions but because of a jumble of coins in a section the size of a small dinner table. I found about $2 alone there and another dollar in the kiddie play areas (before a drove of soccer moms and tots took over the place and forced my exit).

Finds for the day(s)

5 Quarters
9 Dimes (1 Canadian)
1 Nickel
42 Pennies (1 Wheat 1948)(3 Canadian)
1 Studded Heart Charm

Total Coins: 56
Total in Dollars: $2.62

Year-to-Date Totals

37 Quarters
55 Dimes (1 Canadian)
13 Nickels
176 Pennies (1 Wheat 1948)(3 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso

282 Total Coins
Total value: $17.16
Total to go: $482.84

Wah-Wah-Wednesday

2009-03-04T05:49:00.000-08:00

Day Seven - Wednesday March 4

You'd think that 39 degree temperatures would aid this endeavor much more than it actually did. I guess the overnight freezes keep the freeze line high enough that it can't quite recede without a significant thaw. That comes Thursday with temps in the mid to upper 40s and throughout the weekend in the 50s though I won't be here for half of it. Spring! Sorta.

Most of the upper class coins came in bunches though the pennies were quite the regular here and there. Save for the three quarters in one sandwich layer in the same hole with a dime and a penny it was mostly the penny's time to shine. And shine they did until I saw the fattest little dog in the world. He was akin to a squared up large watermelon on little dog legs. Basically a large transistor radio with fur and working legs. He brought me to a tree where I found nickel, nickel, nickel and then that was that. Two outbursts lasting a total of about 2 minutes in several hours in time. That's the nature of the non-natural. So mote it be.

Finds for the day(s)

3 Quarters
6 Dimes
5 Nickels
37 Pennies (1 Canadian)
1 Studded Heart Charm

Total Coins: 51
Total in Dollars: $1.97

Year-to-Date Totals

32 Quarters
46 Dimes
12 Nickels
134 Pennies
1 Mexican Peso

225 Total Coins
Total value: $14.54
Total to go: $485.46

Twosday

2009-03-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

Day Five/Six - Monday/Tuesday March 2/3

Monday was another wash with temps in the low 20s and partial sun so I didn't even bother an attempt. Today wasn't much better but it crawled up to about 28 degrees with bountiful sun and I headed out before dinner. After about 20 or so minutes of fumbling around mostly frozen ground I happened across some tender earth and found a pile of pennies. Of course, the downfall with the softer ground was that it was very close to two main roads and the hum of traffic was a constant nuisance. Too bad. Tomorrow will be above freezing (barely) and I have nothing on the schedule. There will be some good finds.

Finds for the day(s)

1 Dime
12 Pennies

Total Coins: 13
Total in Dollars: $0.22

Year-to-Date Totals

29 Quarters
40 Dimes
7 Nickels
97 Pennies
1 Mexican Peso

174 Total Coins
Total value: $12.57
Total to go: $487.43

4 & 2 & 1

2009-03-01T19:23:00.000-08:00

Day Four - Sunday March 1

Normally I wouldn't even bother with a posting of this small magnitude but considering the weather circumstances it wasn't a bad hour and a half out. With temperatures hovering around 20 degrees and wind chills near zero the ground wasn't exactly receptive to digging. Not that I had many irretrievable hits but there were equal amounts of successful and failed digs. When the sun was out the top inch of loam was like frozen ice cream. Congealed but malleable. After that it was like grating solid chocolate from a frozen tin. Anyhow, the schoolyard wasn't very active and considering the elements I had a decent time. Plus I found a craft beer cap which will add to my already decent collection. Not to mention that I am 42 cents closer to my goal!

Finds for the day(s)

4 Dimes
2 Pennies
1 Dundee Oktoberfest Beercap

Total Coins: 6
Total in Dollars: $0.42

Year-to-Date Totals

29 Quarters
39 Dimes
7 Nickels
85 Pennies
1 Mexican Peso

160 Total Coins
Total value: $12.35
Total to go: $487.65
Posted by Wörtwurst at 6:51 PM

Days 1-3 of My "$500 in Coins Goal for the Year"

2009-02-28T17:30:00.000-08:00

It's very difficult to metal detect in Michigan during the late winter months. The ground is half frozen and so are the kiddie play areas at schools and parks. It's muddy out from the melting snow and weekly rain/snow event and you squish through the murk and malaise just to find a pocketful of change. Nonetheless I'm going to get out there just about every day and chip, dig and scrape the terra firma for coins.

Day One & Two - Thursday February 26 & Friday February 27

Technically, this is day 5 or 6 but for the sake of the goal it will be Day 1 although the yearly totals will begin with this post on my other metal detecting blog where I keep track of totals. Hence the totals not start at zero. Let's get on with this already.

A warm front moved in Thursday and I got out and found a dollar or so. The first place I stopped was pretty frozen over and I soon gave up. The next place had a few soft spots and I got through to a few clad fellers. The Obama pin was a surprise (notice the halo around St. Obama the Marxist's head) and so was the hip hop Hippo that speaks when you shake it. I will post a picture and audio of that when I get around to it. Also I found my first three Canadian coins of the season and am always happy for those. It's always nice to see the maple leaf despite the Queen's presence. Finding a bicentennial gooser among them only sweetens the pot.

The picture above reflects Friday as well, when the warm front moved out and the cold weather poured right back in. Still, I detected at a local park where a carnival is held and no matter how many times I go there more coins somehow appear. The Earth must be a quick shifter because I've now trained myself to go over this small area repeatedly until I no longer get a signal and each new time provides a dollar or two. After laboring for my first dollar for an hour or so this area provided that much in about 15 minutes time. By then I was pretty tired out from slopping through muck and digging through the thick ground and took off. Luckily, I kept the detector on and found the brass looking ring which probably isn't brass and also the fire hydrant tag which had become displaced from its home. Useless junk but that's fine with me because it's interesting nonetheless. My favorite finds were the two carnival tokens and the one peso coin which adds to the collection of a dozen or so foreign coins which I have found at this particular site. I'm guessing that somebody planted them there for some unknown reason. Keep up the good work secret coin fairy. It amuses me to no end.

Finds for the day(s)

7 Quarters
9 Dimes
3 Nickels
29 Pennies (3 Canadian)
1 Mexican Peso
1 "Freedom" Carnival Token
1 "Wonder Money" Carnival Token
1 Obama '08 Pin
1 Faux Brass Kid's Ring
1 Heart, Moon & Star Kid's ring
1 Fire Hydrant Tag
Detritus

Total Coins: 48
Total in Dollars: $3.09

Year-to-Date Totals

28 Quarters
18 Dimes
6 Nickels
74 Pennies

126 Total Coins
Total value: $9.84
Total to go: $490.16

Day Three - Saturday February 28

I woke up early to attempt a hit on one of my favorite cash cows in the 'hood. I'm sure it's wrong of me to say this but I go early because I figure that the potential criminals are sleeping in. It's not a terrible area but it's also not exactly family friendly either so I get in and out of there rather quickly. Today wasn't to be the day though as the little park was totally frozen over. Of course, when it's 15 degrees outside most things are. Yeah, I'm not too bright.

So after a midday trip to the post office I stopped at a school on the way home. The woodchipped areas were pretty frozen over and the only way I got the few pennies that I did was from chiseling like an ice fisherman. Pffft! Sensing that all hope was lost I ventured over to a small courtyard by the school and found that the top inch or two of ground was sunned enough as to be pliable. What ensued was a dime fest. 17 of the 28 coins I found were of the ten cent variety and that's just fine with me. It goes like that sometimes doesn't it? Yes it does.

Finds for the day(s)

1 Quarters
17 Dimes
1 Nickel
9 Pennies (3 Canadian)

Total Coins: 28
Total in Dollars: $2.09

Year-to-Date Totals

29 Quarters
35 Dimes
7 Nickels
83 Pennies
1 Mexican Peso

154 Total Coins
Total value: $11.93
Total to go: $488.07

A Plan For World Coin Domination!

2009-02-27T19:43:00.000-08:00

Nickels and quarters, oh boy! $298

Pennies and dimes, oh my. $186. $484 total wrapped.

Dirty pennies and straggler clad. Can't find solo bags of penny rolls and I am overflowing with the others. Approx. $20.

Tokens and Canadian clad + 1 silver dime. $18.08

Ooops! Forgot these. $15. Total wrapped coins: $499.

Not bad for my first two summers of serious coin hunting. Considering that both years were abbreviated for reasons beyond my circumstances my totals are pretty impressive. Add in the dozen or so rings and other assorted jewelry and it's a good haul. Still, I'm not happy with the totals! I've made a goal this season of $500. Considering that I lose much of late fall and winter to cold weather this is pretty ambitious. But I figure 270 total days per year of finding $2 should easily put me past that mark. Most days I go in the summer I easily find $5 so if I stick to $20 per week this should work. As soon as I can find a bank branch of mine nearby that has a coin counter I'm going to go fill the thing up, get a deposit slip and buy 10 $50 US I Savings Bonds for my baby daughter. $500 per year in bonds X 18 years should be well over 10K with interest by the time she starts cashing them in for college. Of course college will cost $50K per year with inflation by the time the Marxists get done with the economy. Oh well, the 50 gold rings I will have found by then will be selling at $6K per oz for gold so she'll at least have spending money. Plus whatever I can save over those years will be hers too. Just don't tell her that. Hopefully by then euthanasia will legal and I can just off myself and she'll cash in a decent sized life insurance policy. Haha.

Two Feet From the Edge

2008-06-18T05:47:00.000-07:00

Of the sidewalk that is. In a well-heeled place that is the target range for many coins to suddenly jump from and out of the clothes of babes, fiends, businessmen and barmaids alike. Why this is is beyond me but it is. In a more traveled and unscanned area the odds tend to gravitate towards the outer rim as well and for some unspeakable reason I have found a good handful or so of 1950s wheats near the entrance doors of several schools.

This theory also applies to the outside parameters of playground areas as well. You know, the wood-chipped areas that are usually enclosed with some kind of plastic buffer. Outside of the square ring there usually is a hairline of softly coated woodchips and beneath these chips are where I've found some good-ins. A gold ring, a Kennedy half, multitudinous "clad", etc. Which is quite out of the ordinary seeing as there isn't much ground to be covered outside these parameters of play. I highly suggest though that you don't dig to China trying to uncover the next Golden Eagle. A garden trowel and a cylindrical plug dug out of the ground worth of soil should do the trick. Anything more is just plain gauche.

Middle School Coin-nundrum

2008-06-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

I know that I shouldn't be giving away my detecting secrets but seeing as there is a lot of space in the world and more schools than any one man can search I will tell you this: middle schools are chock full o' finds. No, I haven't found anything resembling this fashionably hand-crafted pirate middle school medallion special but change galore and a ring or two I have. In fact, out of all the places I have ever waved the magic arm-wand, middle schools rank number one in mass finds.

I think the main reason is because middle school kids are the most inclined towards stupidity. Younger kids are less encumbered with exchangeable means though they are more prone to reckless play. High school kids have more of a sense of responsibility and there is a formation of frugality despite their mindlessness. But it is the middle school kid who is most burdened with fledgling emotions, prurient thoughts and a general disdain for all human pursuits besides their own edge of the moment endeavor. This pursuit includes acting the fool. Foolishness leads to abandonment and that always leads to free coins for me!

Penny Posterior

2008-05-26T04:06:00.000-07:00

photo courtesy of this most excellent blog

"Face down!" sayeth Lord Tecmo Bowl and we listened. Now you will listen as I tell you that an accountable penny shall be lain face down. The penny's back (as opposed to Penny's back; yes, google has perverted my membrane with further foolishness [do a search, you'll see her too!]), while in accounting, shall remain face first into the formica. Not because this glorious and mostly non-utilitarian coin is subservient to others of its breed but rather due to its potential. When loading these bruisers into paper sleeves to be deposited into your darling daughter's bank account you don't want any wheaties slipping into the memorial building fund. Or maybe you don't care. Technically there is really no reason to care per se but the royal feel and look of a wheat penny over the memorial is an internal pull-back to primal urges of the earliest mental savagery. Maybe that's being a little too cavalier with words, but hell, don't be cheated out of your extra cents in your metal cracker dealings.

Mockingbird Wish Me Buck$

2008-05-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

The other day while detecting in a schoolyard I heard the ghostly morose and rusty hinge whistling of a swingset in play. But I had perused the landscape, as I always do, when I arrived and there was not a smattering of human souls to be found. So I peered over at the 5 or 6 sets of swings and nothing. I proceeded with my endeavor only to hear it again: whistle groan whistle. What struck me most was that the noise wasn't coming from in the direction of the swingsets but off towards a field. Surely a swingset wasn't throwing its inhuman voice. Looking that way it occurred to me that it wasn't a human or a poltergeist but a mockingbird. Maybe not one by name but a bird who was mimicking a familiar sound. I read an article about this sort of thing a few years back and even heard a segment on NPR about how birds were adding cell phones tones, truck backup warning beeps and other industrial and man-made sounds to their repertoire of songs. So this bird was being a swingset. I approve of his message! Hopefully some curiously deviant bluebird will follow me about on my mining missions and learn the sounds of detritus and dime and fool me wholeheartedly until I am mad with dissonance. This would be an appropriate course in my life I tell ye.

10K Pimping

2008-05-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

It's just how I envisioned it. Waving the wand near a pic-a-nic table beneath some favorable tree and hearing the chortle-grunt of a deep metallic hog head yell out, "I've been looking for you." Which is the same thing I said to a quarter this morning while perusing a park.

I even wore the black onyx pimp ring while sawing my teeth through a steak last night. Except it was on my diminutive pinkie like an aging frat man would have it or a guy at a night club with a mustache wearing a V neck. I am none of these things but could easily aspire to such manliness in the coming days. I better start shaving some of the multitudinous flagella from my back, arms, legs and shoulders and glue a patch on where it matters most: where the V neck calls hither and yon all ye ladies and lasses.

Slag I Have

2008-05-11T03:43:00.000-07:00

It's difficult to blog about waving the magical electric wand when one has not only been relatively dormant in the department but uninspired by it of late as well. Plus my brakes nearly failed and had to be replaced so that kind of limited my adventures to local local areas. A leaving of my detector in a visiting friend's trunk from out of state has further dampened my detecting spirits. Not surprisingly, here on the weekend, when I make my biggest dent monetarily through the crappy Bounty Hunter, I miss it more than ever. So back to where I was last week when I became uninspired.

I found one of those angel pennies a month or so back and didn't think twice about it. I'm not really thinking twice about it now but with the recent discovery of one in a book conjoined with a bookmark that has a poem about said penny, I realize what they are all about. I assumed that they were a novelty trinket geared towards protective wings in the face of life's simple groundings and it seems that I am right. Again! So there it was, pinned to a bookmark in a little plastic bag like a butterfly on a wheel. Except not so inhumane!

Maybe that's when I started to feel a little guilty. For the little girl (most likely) who carried it with her in a small little pocket at the hip to remember daddy or momma or Grandpa Willy Mo. She was probably sad when she realized that it was gone and if I could remember where I found it I'd take it back and give the little one a chance at redemption. Most likely it was lost last winter and she has forgotten by now so maybe I should too. Yeah, I better forget before this turns into a wsappy girly-man metal detecting page!

A Nickel is a Nickle is a Nickel

2008-05-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

The scarcity of Canadian nickels in my detecting adventures is rather bothersome. Of the several thousand coins that I have found over the last year or so only one or two have been of the northerly 5 cent piece variety. Being a mere 20 miles from the Canadian border suggests that I should come across them at least monthly as I do dimes and quarters (pennies are a daily find.). Hell, Sudbury, Ontario even built a monster rendition of the coin as a tourist trap so it must be at least as popular as the other shiny tokens of faith and credit. While you may believe that they are being hoarded, I think it is a more simple answer: detritus! Yep, good old detritus. The oddly clad metal of their beavery nickel likely registers as garbage in the coil's Morse readings. Garbage and pennies are 95% of the reason that nickels get left alone in the soil. Nobody wants to fish for a bottle tab/cap 50 times per outing and so they get lazy and skip over the more questionable honking signals. I know that I'm guilty of this and as such am sabotaging my own quest for the corpulent lower denomination coin. May I be forgiven my transgression.

Shovelling and Insect Genocide

2008-04-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that there is no relation to Dr. Fisher's German heritage and the mass casualties suffered in the last month through me and my murdering shovel. It's true, I'm an insect genocidal maniac. I don't do it on purpose but I suppose that Ted Bundy or J. Dahmer said the same thing. Truly though, I don't mean it. I simply push the shovel through the loam and out comes wriggling micro-beasts with hurt appendages and skin. Grubs suffer somewhat but rarely get amputated as the poor earthworm does. I know we have been told, "Oh, don't worry about the worm. It'll grow new worm parts from all the cut pieces and there will now be multiple worms!" Bunkum! I know it's not true. I've seen the pieces unresponsive to earth, wind, water and air. All the Earth's elements and the god of worms will not bring these inanimate parts back to life. This may sound like a disingenuous lament but despite the fact that I even made a short rap for the slain worms, it really is against my nature to harm things. Here, sing along:

Worm's gonna pay for the five and dime
Worm's gonna pay for the dirt and grime

It's more of a refrain to nothing and comes out sounding that way. I guess that's how I deal with these little deaths that I cause inadvertently. I imagine this is the same way Secretaries of War and State feel with the blood on their proverbial paws. No differently than them I avoid the ant mounds that I can see and save lives. I'm not joking. No insect will die at my hand unless it's done on accident or they have physically injured me with an intent to kill. No coin or trinket is worth even a little being's life and limb.

Lamenting the 40

2008-04-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

No, not the milestone forthcoming age but the bottle with alcoholic suds in it. More specifically the caps that come on them and more times than not end up in a park or on a lot of sorts and slowly seeps into the ground. I find them regularly and curse their existence. The old Pepsi one liter caps are regular participants in groundings as well.

The strange thing about this is that Michigan has had a bottle deposit for at least 25 years. Which theoretically cuts back on pollution and litter. It's obviously not working if the more harmful of the components is ending up in the soil. Glass, as far as I know, just lays there and does nothing. Metals, we are told, cause CANCER! This may or may not be the case but that's what I choose to believe and thus denounce the wasting of caps into the ground. I propose a 2 penny deposit on the cap and an 8c deposit on the bottle (instead of the current 10c fee). Anybody against this is a friend of CANCER!

A Million Syllogisms Whittled Down to a Few Silly and Sentimental Lines

2008-04-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

There are a million syllogisms in metal detecting methodology and a million more clichés. One of the best of the worst is, "You're not going to find everything so don't even try." Which we know to be a complete falsehood. YOU WILL find everything. It's just going to take a lot of time and prodding.

You're going to get very tired as well and take hours off doing mundane things like work, house-cleaning, sleeping, toileting, etc, not to mention living your life, but you will eventually find it all. Thus you're going to need a whole lot of cotto salami, cheese and mustard sandwiches to fuel your expeditions. Not only that but some knee pads, coin rolls, and a magnifying glass to verify sterling silver marks and dates on old burnished coins.

You're also going to need a plan of action. Sometimes you listen to where the wind is calling from. Other times you will be befuddled by your own muddled indifference and need a push from the reason department. I suggest during these times a gander at google maps for street level views of all the parks in the area you inhabit.

I also highly recommend a theme of meditation for each scanning session. Not in a spiritual way but more in the way of a single-mindedness that keeps you level-headed and not wandering away with your thoughts. I like to think of a sweet-cheeked little girl named Veronica who shares similar cow eyes with me. In fact, she is my second pair of eyes. She will see what I no longer can, just as I am now seeing what my lineage saw so many years ago, but in a new light. That is the miracle of banal existence. Finding what others have had their turn with and making it our own. Do well by it always my little one.

2 Dollars and Change

2008-04-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

I don't like going to the ghetto but sometimes the urge hits and I cross the line of demarcation into the war zone. Telegraph's the line, as is 8 Mile, so in essence I was doubly-crossed over that imaginary line between civilization and the caustic world. Nonetheless, I enjoyed much clad success in the early minutes of detecting while listening to bird chirps and the southern drawls of two competing auctioneers at the local car repossession hub (see aerial view; look for cars in a lot; no auctioneers included). It all changed though when I went outside the funky U shape there where it says Eliza Howell Park. I first encountered a football/soccer field that couldn't muster but a few 40 oz bottle caps in its 200 yard length. After that I headed towards the baseball diamonds and the car auctions. I came upon a DVD case in the grass entitled Schoolyard TW@TS and laughed and ventured on. I noticed that a car had pulled in and kept my eye on just because. After finding a few loose and buried pennies and a solitary dime I heard a voice through the wind, "Do you find much with that?" "No, not really." I lied. "Where do we put garbage said the nubian crack-whore looking weathered creature who came within 30 yards or so. After a few more windy exchanges I just ignored what she was saying and went back towards my crooky U shaped area. 30 minutes or so passed and sure enough, up through the grass and debris came Ms. Cracky Heado. Same questions but this time she had something behind her back. It looked like a garden shovel and I talked her down enough and just shut off my machine and walked to the car ignoring her questions once more. I should have known better to even go there. There's always some pan-handler and I'm about as eager for conversation as a skunk is. Oh well, 20 or so more coins for the baby's bank and a few more reasons not to go where I shouldn't.

Rhthmic Suggestion

2008-04-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

Metal detecting is just like any other mind- centric activity inasmuch as there is a physical reaction to our mental state. Once you get into a positive zone you seem to pull out greater objects from the ground. The same goes for when you start fatiguing (Yes, you do get tired swinging an electric pole that generates monies from nothing.). I've noticed this often enough that it suggests a trend. I'm not going to get all Scientologist here or anything silly like that but there clearly are patterns to the peaks and valleys of what we find while scanning.

The other day while baking in the hot sun and pulling up quarter after quarter with a few "clad-stones" mixed in, I thought to myself, "I really need to find some tokens or something" (nobody demands rings and gold from the treasure Gods lest they be smited!) and I tell you this kind centurions of the electric prod, that Dave and Buster came to me on my very next dig and rested in my hand as a physical testament to an abstract willing of things. This is not really a new concept though is it? Often times when I'm about to lose patience with an area and say to myself silently, "that's it", I tend to find something. In fact it seems to happen a lot and that's why it's good to walk straight lines and finish searching all sections.

As I've mentioned pre- viously, it is assumed by some that 45 minutes is a rule of thumb for acc- limation in a new scanning area. Which could account for why you will sometimes miss a target the first time by and then get a clear signal when passing it on the back-swing and the return. The ground warms to the electric impulses and you in turn get in sync with their volleying of electrons (trust me, I have no idea what I'm talking about here!). It's almost like the illusion of lightning streaming downward in jagged arcs when in fact it is traveling up into the electric brain of the sky. So too are the electric impulses from the disc if only you listen closely enough.

Alkalinic Good Advices

2008-04-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

Do not -- and I reiterate DO NOT -- keep two live batteries in your pocket and forget about them and then inadvertently drop a few coins into the mix. You will begin to feel a warm sensation upon your thigh and perhaps even smell some smoldering mess of metal and corrosives. Which will of course be your shorts starting to burn as the batteries heat up with help from the coin's chemistry. I've done this twice in two years now and was even recalling the very incident from a couple years back, yesterday whilst detecting. I suppose that if you're into pain and would like some third degree acid burns upon your skin which is hidden most of the time then go for it. Otherwise, steer clear of self-electrocution by slow burning.

Keyp Away

2008-04-22T18:14:00.000-07:00

"We got the kingdom, we got the key
We got the empire, now as then,
We don't doubt, we don't take direction,
Lucretia, my reflection, dance the ghost with me"

I find fancy keys, utility keys, skeleton keys and keys to lockers, locks and doors. I do not take them home with me or place them on a large ring to swing upon my bedroom door-knob. Ching-ching. No, I think they are better suited lain upon a bench or the top of the slide platform for some doe-eyed child to find and rekindle his/her faith in redemption. A told you so for mum and daddy who only scold because they care. Or maybe they are wayward just like the keys and merely want to punish because it suits the moment right. I just don't want to be the jailer who keeps in or out those who have other plans. Mine have already been botched so let's not leave every thing up to fate.

25c

2008-04-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

Do not assume that the quarter's plight is contingent upon the quality of the soil. We are a working nation built on grand ideals. It is only the fault of our pride that bestows us with the breakneck mentality towards work and further bankruptcy. Let the hidden quarters this Earth has absorbed do the talking. Let them bring home the further devaluation and put the pride pillow to rest. Only tangible reality with a solid backing of mutable value will save us. If we are to have faith let it be in the metal beacon of money. Not money, that pride-talking purveyor of excess -- which is merely man giving human qualities to a static medium -- but the exchange of working value. Wall Street will tell you what the dollar is worth as long as it is worthless paper. But the coin, that old sentinel, will not be deflated by men's words. The quarter spoke to me in the quiet moments before the coin meets the coil and said, "CLAD to meet ya."

Excluding the Conifer

2008-04-18T07:40:00.000-07:00

I suggest that if there is a tree and you saunter about it in a clockwise movement with the metal detecting apparatus at a 28 degree angle you will hear the chorus of a singing penny beneath the loam. Continue to circle the free-standing hulk and move outward in a spiraling motion and other things will come to you as well: pull tabs, an osculating dime or three, big daddy Quotah ("Quarter" for all you other mid-westerners who sometimes type southern to geographically entice other readers) and the ever elusive tinfoil fragment. Other instruments of commerce may appear but cannot be guaranteed by the simple laws of the Deciduous Vortex Theory Numeral XVI. Moving in a counterclockwise motion may cause deleterious effects such as a face-down cent piece which forces you into a down karmic 24 hour period of unsettlement. Do you really want this? Go clockwise hombre and keep pace with the sun in your travels.

Orange Ya Glad Ye Detected?

2008-04-17T08:55:00.000-07:00

It was an oddly spectacle down there in the dirt of the ghetto park. I had mine eyes set upon la Park LeMoyne --as the Haji-Dojis watched over me from the grid-maps of cyber Heaven -- yet it was not to be. I first drove by a Kiwanis Park but the road was blocked off for road repairs so the coin gods ushered me further on down the line. Whence I met the rubber to the pavement in old Westland proper, I did a double take at an easterly park while driving by in a southernly manner and did a semi-circle to head back and see if it was suitable for my detecting needs. It wasn't but I said what the HELL and went on in through the decaying fence that kept the rag-tag ball field in from the rest of the world.

It was a miserable little jaunt really and I found only pennies and bullets. The majority of which came near the end of the hour and a half perusal of the soil (of which a dog barked for 45 minutes straight accompanied at times by other dawgs; every f-ing yard had a DOG!!!) and amounted to a measly 23 cent [sic(I was in the ghetto after all)]. A young brutha on his way home from school with his chickadee spake upon me, "Hey metal detector dude, what'cha lookin' fo?" "Metal." "Ah. I thoughts you had somethin' specifics in mind." "Nope. But I did find some bullets." "That's all y'all gonna find. Bullets 'n' shee'yit." A young prophet he was and feces it was for me my comrades of lead and zinc!

So what about the orange glowing coins above? A mistake from a Halloween dipping contest? No sir ma'am-o. They are courtesy of the earth-soil near a soccer field by a school that yielded me almost next to nothing for the first 45 minutes or so (didn't I already disprove the first 45 minutes is a warm-up theory? in an earlier post? I guess not.). Then I walked along the g.d. invisible lines where the benches would be if there were any and found all of the "CLAD" pictured above in a mere hour or so. The setting sun put an end to the ribald, sex-like plundering of the ground that I plummeted my shovel's teeth ( I almost said teets(!)) into. What the orange glow is must be a geological matter. ZINCING? I told you I was no scientist. Another strange phenomenon amongst the citrus-faced, roundy caricatures of dead volk, was that most were in pockets (a thing I had only re-learned about earlier on a message board and witnessed a time or two; two QUAR-TIER [chay for you faux French speakers like I] were even spooning!) and oddly enough were sticking out like half-loosed fruit in a dirt pie. It was a strange dichotomy when I mused to myself, "This 'clad' has nads." All pennies in the morning and 96.256272% upper class coin-men in the evening. I will like some more twilight please mister arranger of days and well-laid plans.

Old v. New

2008-04-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

I was checking out the message boards at Treasure Time Forums and came across the topic of user's finds for the year and saw these coins above. It literally sickened me with envy. I want these coins. But do I really want to dig for hours on end finding mostly old cans, caps and pull tabs just to find an old coin every now and then? Or continue with my onslaught of park play areas where I pull out a couple dollars in change (not to mention silver/gold rings, charms, etc) in usually about an hours time. I've found coins from multiple countries this way as well so it's not like I'm not getting good stuff, just not much in the way of old old stuff. I suppose I could just use the found CLAD to buy some of the older coins at trade shows. But it's all being saved for my daughter so quantity does matter to me. The more the better and with many of the older coins found via the shovel and scan, the intrinsic value isn't always top grade unless it's a rare find. Plus I'd like to average $1 per day for the year and with 4 months of winter that's a lofty goal. It's a quandary I tell ye!

Yee Haw Ye Patriots & Roughnecks Alike

2008-04-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

While scouring through my coin box of detectable finds I came across one of the greatest US coins ever produced, the Cowboy Quarter. Well, that's what my younger brother used to call the Bicentennial Quarter when he was a mere pea pod of a child. If you look at the blurry and burnished picture I have posted (the link above shows it in all of its shine-tastical mint-faced glory) you can see why he thought it a cowboy and not a three-cornered hat-wearing colonial rabble-rouser. I mean, the cowboys of John Wayne's lore with the six shooter and a slow drawl are long gone now and have been replaced by new-fangled ones like Kid Rock who aren't opposed to wearing sleeveless muscle shirts and their hair in a long bob while ripping out some southern rock. Put a couple tattoos on the muscular feller's arm and we might be looking at a scene straight out of Farm Aid instead of Concord or Lexington.

So anytime I received one from my paper route or anybody got one in their change it was ear-marked to him, much to his total delight. He saved them in a drawer for years and still might have and collect them for all that I know. I still have the instinctual reaction whenever I see them to save each one as an automatic act of coin love.

The Outer Magneticism of the Inner "I"

2008-04-14T01:03:00.000-07:00

Listen, I have no scientific background, am only intuitively functional and don't have but a lick of whip-smarts in my whole mental cavity, so a lot of what I know and do is by feel. Not surprising then are the self-professed theories and syllogisms which spout forth about subjects I know nothing of. I intuit or so I like to think. Kind of like a pratfalling and sharply inaccurate fairy-tale-ist in the vein of Edgar Cayce. Hence, I know nothing and what I do know is wrong wrong wrong. When has that ever shut me up before? Let us begin then.

I've read it somewhere that the first 45 minutes of detecting is a grace period spent in acclimation. I don't believe this to be true though I would counter with a 15 minute time-frame as an acceptable feeling-out clock. By this I mean that the ground and the machine alike begin to absorb each others magnetic currents and start to communicate in a more orderly fashion. I liken it to one of those old vibrating football games where the plastic runner with the foam ball runs in erratic circles until you can take no more of the mini metallic earthquake of rattling doom and just kick a fucking field goal. Well, in metal detecting you don't have that luxury, so you sweat it out and hope that man, nature and tool gibe.

See this diagram:

It won't help you. Go read a book if you want to theorize about something. If you want to know something go put your hands into its guts and feel around for the heartbeat. Let the professors do the surmising part and make the fancy gadgets, you are going to be the producer of results. Like below:

A diving Jesus fish, a cent(illion), a bottle cap and a Matrix starring Keanu Reeves. Detritus is optional but generally prequisite nonetheless. You will find these things if you are patient and learn to calibrate your mind to the possibilities and probabilities of your detecting environment.

Hold the dish steady and unwavering and soon the ground below you will heat up to meet the coil's guiding demands. In noting a new find in an old haunt that couldn't possibly be a recent arrival to the locale, you will begin to realize that what's seen is not always what's true and what's missing oft times isn't the observed but the keenness to detail and luck of the observer. Thus, you will miss a coin or a ring multiple times before finally grazing it with your force field and culling it out. Of course, this does not apply to slag or tabs which will be detected every single time without fail as a false positive.

The April of Dimes Pt. Deuce

2008-04-13T17:32:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'm old now (isn't that obvious by the fact that I spend hours digging for metal with a warbling noise machine?) but while wading through a slew of dimes at a local school today, I came across a piece of tinfoil. A goodly wrapped chunk of it that made harmonious music in the same pulse-vein as our friend the American coin does. It beeped and I scraped the wood chip surface and it emerged as a harbinger of all things detritus. What also formed in my melting brain was the image of milk money and being sent to elementary school with it wrapped in tinfoil so that it was less likely to get lost if it fell out of my pocket. Which was more-or-less why I was there to begin with, detecting away, not to mention the reason I am even writing this nonsense: coins and careless caretakers of the shekel. I would like my daughter to have her coins, err debit charge card/retina scanner or whatever they are using these days in school to pay for lunch, wrapped in tinfoil. Not for nostalgic reasons but because it's a resourcefully cute way of being. Those small piles of coins were jewels that brought the pug-nosed mini-cartons of chocolate milk to lunchtime. I'd like to pass down one or two meaningless traditions myself seeing as the mostest beautifullest and intelligent daughter ever will not likely be inclined towards ram-rodding the earth for loose change. Amen.

A Few Words About "Clad"

2008-04-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

It's generally expected that a man does not spend a Saturday evening rubbing clean the found coins from an earlier in the day metal detecting dig only to douse his fingers with Doritos grease afterwards, but such is life.

I separated the four main coin staples, journaled their existence and began piling them into their respective wine jug and 6 inch cubed cardboard box (said makeshift piggy banks for my infant daughter). Then it struck me, an episodic vision from the day's metal meandering, that moment when flicking my sound-emitting wrists and the apparatus of coin-clink amidst the wood-chip bed of a conjoined multiple swing-sets and jungle-gym I thought, "clad." More precisely, "f. clad!"

There, I'd gone and done it. Broke every rule of common decency. I even thought of my shadow comrades in the state ranks who preach, "WE LEAVE IT CLEANER THAN WE FOUND IT" and ceremoniously denounced them and their motto for depravity's sake alone. It was a half-hearted effort because, goddammit, I don't even know these fine and up-standing folk but I'm certain that they are not as raucously debauched as I am. Me, a defamer of field-speak. That noted and annotated jargon of pennied throngs. But I simply cannot carry the banner for the avocation's banter. Thus, I won't be saying clad. But why? WHY?!?!

To me they are just coins. I'm not a specialist's son and do not believe in over-extending the purely mundane. So when I hear a "bleep-bleep" or a screaming hot nickel from under the turf calling me -- "WONK! WONK! WONK!" -- to join its shiny face with my little bug's greedy change receptacles, I won't be saying clad clad clad (like that annoying voice bumper button on the dictionary page [feel free to keep right on pushing that mother; clad clad clad]) but rather, "Oh yeah.", "Ha, I'm rich." or better yet, "Stick it to the man!". We rebels of the cheesecloth shant be tamed into doggerel or dogma without first being cleansed by our own conscience.