Gerry in Idaho

Ray, The Idaho Gold Prospectors Association has good gold claims in Southern Idaho and I think their even have a couple around the Silver City area. As for someone to go with? Share some of the photos of gold nuggets you've found, I'm willing to bet a person or two will be happy to take you up on the offer and go with you. The problem for most folks is not knowing good gold nugget bearing ground. Those who have spent the time to research and then humped the hills til their feet quit, just to find a few nuggies...well those folks are pretty tight lipped and very well deserving. With the price of gold just under $1600 an ounce and the good sites getting cleaned out more and more each weekend, I totally see why the few who know, have decided to keep quiet. I have a customer in Oregon who works his arse off researching good gold ground, then takes the time to find the claim/property owners and works a deal with them. When he finds gold (and he has done well), he enjoys sharing the finds. So many people just assume he will take them out. He now says, "hand me the money in your wallet" because that is what you're asking him. As Fred mentioned, clubs are the best way to go for most newer prospectors and if you hang around the successful ones in the club, offer to buy their breakfast and pay for gas, they just might invite you along. Good luck.

Klunker, You had me sucked in. I'm in awe of your above average arithmetic. Then I realized you made 1 mistake. In 1857, the branch of the tree (the one holding the rifle) would have been 6.3" lower than it now sits today. I was about to call "BS" on your find. Being that I did not want to spoil your story, I decided to sit and wait 24 hours before blasting it up. It was then.. the old dimmer of light in me grape flickered a bit. I reached for the bottle one more time and dusted off the last of the juice. That is when it hit me, as if when it will hit Sourdough as he pulls the trigger of that Elephant gun. By golly, F me, I was dead wrong in my initial decipher of the events and so now I want to apologize. My mistake of the branch being 6.3" lower in 1857, is in fact correct, but what I did not realize.... the average height of an adult male 160+ yrs ago was exactly 6.3" shorter than present. Hell of two finds my friend and even better story. I'll forever absorb every word you post on DP as FACT. PS. Did you try to locate the casing? Maybe another adventure awaits and I can't wait to hear about it. After all, you have photos as proof and a witness.

Nugget Hunter NZ, Very good video and nice dense solid pieces of gold too. Funny how we can drop the F Bomb when excited. "Fu Me" as if I'm hoping some gold goddess jumps out of the bushes. Raw and nature video is the best. I've done the same on occasion and it usually is when I really nice or unexpected find is dug up. Thanks for also confirming the coils and their abilities and or lack of.

Back from my MX Trip and wanting to get caught up with some readings and now posts. Approx 20 yrs ago I was detecting an old mining camp for coins/relics & found my 1st gold coin ever (only took 25 yrs of detecting). 1852 quarter eagle = $2.50 piece. Fast forward to last weekend, my customer Steve M is less than a mile from where my coin was found & he does this. What's even more thrilling, is he found it with a GPX-5000 while looking for gold nuggets. And...his is much better condition too. 1st two pics are his and the others of the worn out one, of course is mine. It is the exact same date and size of coin I found 20 yrs ago. I guess it is sometimes ok to find the wrong kind of gold. Anyone else have such unexpected digs when prospecting?

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

Dan, Those are some serious mods done to that Explorer. Glad to see folks willing to make change for the good on a popular detector that had ergonomic issues.

Wow, that seems like quite a few coins for only those 2 rings on the recent hunt. I would have expected to see some GGG? That is part of why we enjoy detecting as you never really know. I also like how you keep track of your finds, the total coin counts/amounts and the rings. As you know it is always good karma to return a ring when possible. Keep it up.

Very nice digs Dan and well earned consider the amount of trash you removed from the lake shore. Yes, be sure to dig those clean hit #1's as I have found some nice little goodies with the #1. On a side note, why do you still have an Explorer boat anchor? Yes I still have an E-Trac (sold my CTX 3030), but I exclusively use it with a 15" WOT and X1 probe. It is my DEEP Silver machine. Yes it too is heavy, but the ergonomics is better than the Explorer. Again, nice digs.

Jeff, I too feel the EQ-600 does not get the love it deserves. Most folks don't realize it is just as deep as the big brother and for most parks, schools, urban and all beaches including in water hunts, it is the best priced and performing detector. Even hunting in old sites with average trash, it does just fine. Your lunker of a gold ring just goes to show you are doing it right. Hats off to you my friend. Attached photos are EQ-600 finds also.

Cool digs and you'll do better as you learn the area.

Peg, Each your down there you seem to learn more and your success/knowledge of the area is getting better. Actually those are some pretty good finds considering your location. Yes the Tungsten and gold ring is nice, but I too like the old brass and or copper ship nails. Did anyone around you happen to score any of the reale treasures? As a fantastic gold nugget hunter that is proven, your time on the beaches will eventually start to shine. My trips and the expense are much greater than most folks trips to FL beaches. I have been to many resorts, spent numerous days swinging and learning locations, tides, people gathering and all the finer points to get a little bling. I honestly feel most folks would not put in that kind of effort, but I know a few do, as there has been recent detecting at my last resort location. Keep at it girl and looking forward to hearing more about those old nails.

My Field Staff Experts and I know the majority of gold detectors on the market. We offer 3 days Field Training at Rye Patch Nevada and many clients will stay in the area and hunt a few more days. As for guided tours, I quit that a few years ago. Yes most of us had fun and success, but for a few, they expected to load their pockets. If you are interested in real hands on training, let me know. Either way, I wish you luck.

Glenn, it is an Idaho piece found as is, no cleaning.

Holy Grails Glenn, Those pieces of art are most certainly wall hangers. CO is one of the stated that I need to go and find a couple, so I check off my list "Been there Dug That" along with WY and the Dakotas. I don't have many wire gold pieces as you know they are quite fragile and easily break or smash. Here is one of my bigger ones. Thanks for sharing some beautiful gold.

GoldPick, When I visited Leanora and Kalgoorlie areas on a Prospecting trip 10+ yrs ago, I was amazed at the lack of folks who actually detect the old mining camps for coins and relics. A good friend of mine was there on a prospecting trip in the early 90's and he said the beaches were loaded with silver coins. It was as if everyone in Australia felt the value of gold is so much greater than coins and silver, so why bother? Anyway, I like you style showing and sharing a different kind of hunt from down under. Keep it up and thanks for sharing.

I think the cleaning of a coin is subject to its rarity and or value. I've personally (when I was younger) removed great detail of patina from a few Large Cents and 1 Flying Eagle. All I used was water and a soft toothbrush. So now for some of my coppers that I really like, it is a soft dry toothbrush and toothpick, as Kac does. I've dug thousands of wheat backs and most are common dates/mint marks. I toss then in a tumbler with fish aquarium gravel, a little water, squirt of Dawn dish soak and let them run 15 to 20 minutes. All I am doing is knocking the crud and dirt off them. Silver, When I was young they were tossed into the tumbler too and boy do they shine. Problem is some silvers are semi and key dates with low mintages. Those need to pampered and soaking in water with a light rinse is all I do. Common Roos, Merc's and Washington quarters are soaked and brushed with toothbrush, but I quit tumbling them, as the shine, in my opinion is not recommended. Nickels, Those pesky dark stained, sometimes purple or red, brown, even black on occasion. If they are common dates, I toss them in the tumbler. Semi dates ones get the water and soft tooth brush. I'll use an eraser on them to add highlights, but I assure you there is abrasive marks left from the eraser. At least the common Buff or V now looks better with a highlight, but that is my coin so I am not worried of value. My 1913-S Barber Quarter (Key date) was dug in Nevada and as most of my 100+ yrs old silvers coming from the desert with high alkali, they come out of the dirt with a crustry gray coating. I have not done anything with it, other than water and tap dry. The actual condition of the coin is F-12 with detail, but the other blemishes and clap on it kills the value and most certainly drops condition. I have yet to decide (and keep going back and forth) on if I should get it professionally cleaned and as stated what makes one a Professional? I guess it depends on the person and what you plan on doing with it. Myself for this coin. If PCSG says cleaning will drastically reduce the value, then I'll probably leave it as is. If they say "after cleaning it will have detail of F-12" and look much better, but will be labeled as "Environmental Damage", and the value will drop a little, then I'll probably get it cleaned. If the value drops 50% or more, I might as well leave it as is. Who knows, but right now it looks like crap to me.

Some seriously nice history saves and great pics everyone, keep them coming. Chase, the 1830 Half Reale is a heart throb. The US Plate is stop you in your track Seth and you should be proud, even your Reale is tops. Joel, those are really good coins for a SD digger as Dakota is not really that old. What I like is the patina on the coins. Your soil must be perfect. BTW, the 1914 Buff looks nice too. Thanks for sharing guys. UPDATE to my 1915-S/13-S Barber Quarter. Yes the one I posted a pic of is indeed as a couple folks mentioned the 1915. So at the bank today and into the vault I'm digging around and find the 3 Barber Quarters I dug in 1 hole. I check the dates and sure enough, one of them is the Key Date 1913-S. I'm going to try and post a video of when I dug them, as you can tell by my voice, I was upset and pissed off. My reason? Watch the video to see and then chime in and tell me, if you would have expected differently?

What a Huck Up I did. Yes you guys are correct as I had to pull an eye piece to view the bugger and it is a 1915. So there goes my dreams of retirement. Then last night (when I am supposed to be sleeping) my brain was racking trying to figure out the 2019 year and all the adventures I did. It finally came to and the fog lifted. I got up in middle of night went to look at that crazy Barber again and it is indeed a 1915 Barber Quarter. But where are the other 2, that is the question as I dug up 3 Barber Quarters in 1 hole. Now I am actually kind of excited again, as I feel I made a mistake. This 1915 (the photo I posted) was a local find (yes with the same Equinox 800) when I did a hunt with my other Field Staff Expert (Spencer), a couple weeks timeframe difference. That is why I can't find the other 2 quarters with it, as it can't be. So guess what today it? Run to the bank and look for 3 dirty dusty Barber Quarters that should be together. So hopefully I am able to do an update this evening with new photos and brain relief from a guy who has been stressing the last 24 hours. Those who noticed it, thanks for being the "eagle eyes" I don't have.

Jim, I'm curious how they know it is 54% more power to the coils of the 24K. It almost seems like 54% would just as easily be 55% or 50%, but for some reason it is stated and known at 54%? If the new 24K is getting 54% more power to the coil, what would you say the average depth increase would be on typical rice size gold in average North Nevada soil. I realize there is no exact answer as there are many variables, but boy they sure were exact letting us know it has "54%". Reason I am not asking for bigger Au nuggets, as I know the majority of gold found is smaller. Lunk and I have been doing very well with our 24K's, now we'll have to upgrade to the new 100% waterproof version to add another tool (detector) to the arsenal. Photos are some of my 24K finds. For those who don't know, this type of crystalline gold is easier to recover with a VLF detector vs a more expensive PI unit.

BillDean, If you found them and are proud of your efforts, then I assure you most everyone on here is proud for you and of your Success too. I knew when I started this thread, my monster 7 oz would spook folks from wanting to share their amazing finds and stories. That was not my intent at all. Heck, in reality it is not fare to compare my finds to most others, as I get to detect, talk detectors and sell a few for a living. Selling detectors is my job and has been for 25+ years. I know detectors better than the average guy, I've been researching areas to hunt for 25+ yrs so my Success is almost always better than the average guy. Now I do have customers and friends who specialize on certain styles of detecting and they do just as well (sometimes better) as I. Bottom line to me. If you enjoyed the hunt, adventure and making some golden finds. You should be proud. The reality is most folks find the majority of the gold and we know it usually consists of fine gold and small nuggets. Thanks for adding to the thread and sharing your Success.

Chase, You are spooking me now? Maybe my eyes (and Lunks' too) were wrong? Yes the photo does look like a 1915, which would be a major disappointment. I'll need to stop at the bank tomorrow and pull it out. Plus, I'd like to take a couple more pics of front and back before I send it (to show everyone the before/after) of cleaning when it gets returned. I'll let everyone know, but I am sure it is 1913-S., because when I checked the book, I had to do a triple quadriple drink to calm my nerves and eyes.

Kac, I personally know each of those coins and have found a few. They are actually quite rare to find, but value is not up there. We don't really do it for the value anyway, but more the historical and of course the "hunt" itself. I figured the ring was PLAT or White gold with diamonds. Now why did I mess with you? Those finds my friend are "Ones they dream of" to the average detectorist and Hats Off Tops of the Food chain" to old salty diggers like myself. In fact, I will admit, 2019 for me only produced a few IH's and one 2 Cent piece from NV. But most of my time in 2019 was chasing gold nuggets. The PLAT with diamonds would easily rate "best ring ever" to most. Your post showed us some coins and a ring. Not enough description was added to justify their scarcity so that is why I was hopeful you'd reply back. Not necessarily for me, but for the masses who lurch this fine forum and for some reason, never post. Thanks for adding description to those saves as they certain do earn "best finds of 2019". I can't wait to see your top digs in 2020. BTW. Was the ring found on a water hunt or in a park?

GB, Since you have been collecting for so long, you realize the rarity of the 13-S Barber. It is by fare the rarest coin I have found including my many trips detecting in England. Not sure if you know, but how would you go about getting it professionally cleaned and then graded? I realize PCSG will mention it has been cleaned, when they slab it, but as is, most folks would not take a 2nd look. Heck I even thought about getting all 3 cleaned and displaying them together as they all came from the same hole. I realize your input is only advice, but since I am not a serious coin collector, thought I'd ask since it is more of your profession. Once I figure out how to get the video to upload to Steve's site, I'll be able to share it. I tried, but it says it is not formatted correctly. There again, not my specialty.

Kac, Those finds are really nice. I like the patina on the 2 bigger green MX coins. The small white coin is it from Philippines. Is the ring Tungsten? Thanks for sharing?

Chuck, My Staff members and I have been sharing detector knowledge on gold bearing ground for 20+ yrs. I could give you some GPS coordinates of where I found some good gold, but feel the gravy is gone.