Relic Hunting

There are several main types of metal detecting. Some people like to go down to the beach and look for misplaced valuables and other buried items. Other people like to go and search for relics. Generally, all items leftover from previous generations are considered relics. That doesn’t mean a buried tin time capsule your father left behind in 1972, but the one his great, great grandfather did in 1872 would do!

Within the relic hunters you’ll find people that are specifically looking for old coins. Whether you decide to look for old bullets from a battlefield near your home, old coins from hundreds of years ago or any other metal relics, all you and your partner need is a couple of cheap metal detectors… and these essential tips to guide you!

Relic hunting is different from using metal detectors at the beach, or anywhere else looking for recently lost items. To begin with, relic hunting requires more research beforehand. This is easily done if you have some patience and you know where to look.

Do some searching on the web for the history of your town, county, state or anywhere else you’re interested in searching. Things to especially keep an eye on are old battlefields, commonly traveled routes, trading patterns or busy town centers. Water crossings near old towns are favorite spots. You should also use local historical societies as a resource of what the area was like hundreds of years ago.

So you’ve done your research about what the place used to be, so all you should do is look into buying a few cheap metal detectors and head down there, right? Well, it might not be that easy. You’ll find that many of those spots you looked up may be unsearchable. There might be a very crowded residential or business district, with lots of pavement and concrete. Or the area might be protected as a historic site, preventing you from digging completely.

Some spots though will be perfect, just the way they used to be. You’ll have no interference and a great chance of coming home with a great hidden find. Also keep in mind that just because you research a spot and now its somebody property, its not permanently off limits. Approach the owner of the land and lay it on the line. Work up some kind of agreement pertaining to percentages of profits or shared items so he can’t back out of it. Then dig away!

You could also go for a stroll through the forest and split up an area with a couple of friends a few used metal detectors. Try to find paths that have been overgrown and unkempt. That means people haven’t been there in a while, but they used to, so chances are you’ll find something worth your time.

Also consider riverbanks, old bridges and any old walls or stone structures you find. Anything that gives the impression that there used to be people congregating or moving about that spot should draw your attention.

Remember that even with the best metal detectors you could afford, you’re not guaranteed anything. Take the time to do the research needed and scope up some choice spots to really give yourself a chance to succeed.