Flowdog

Lacky, thanks for the river hunt update. Good to know that the floating sifter design is not impacted by fast water. It sounds like conditions were otherwise tough for hunting. Maybe better for fishing? I was thinking about you while wading my local river this weekend. I used my wading staff and felt soled river boots just to stay standing because the rocks are like oiled bowling balls when I use the wrong soles. I was scouting a detecting site and fishing at the same time. Life can be good at times! My prospective hunting site should be cake compared to yours. Still trying to incorporate using a sturdy scoop to grab targets with, but am hesitating to buy one just yet. Wondering how you were geared to stay comfortable and not slip on those Idaho river rocks. I was also wondering what you were expecting to find if things went your way? How did your detector handle in the swift water?

Curtis

Excellent photos of a stunning coin. 

Ah, an edible pastie ... I kinda remember those days ... Great story and pics of your far and away adventure Gerry.

Lacky,  I hope you post a report of your river hunt. It will be interesting to learn how you do with shovel and floating sifter. Even the slow water sections near me have enough flow to make a floating sifter ackward unless the shape was more or less triangular - like a ship's bow? Even then, I cannot picture such a device being practical in size sufficient to accept a shovel without constant current pulling at the tether or anchor point in my local waters. I can only surmise that the river you are planning to hunt has a very very very low current speed in shallow depth if you are planning to use a shovel and sifter. In any event, I wish you a successful hunt. I am going to hold off for a short while until I get some additional info. HH

I am seriously thinking about giving river hunting a shot. Fresh water beaches as well. Trying to decide on a scoop. Unlike most salt beaches, rivers have rocks that may call for a sturdier build and different shape to work in and around rocks. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Curtis

They'd have to revive me at the nearest ICU if I was ever so fortunate as to make a discovery as fine as that! Congrats go out to Jared of Wyoming via Jerry from Idaho.

Dan,

Thanks for the post. Happy 4th to you. Looks like fun.

Congratulations Dan on finding a bucket lister! Amazingly rich site that has yielded consistently to your workings all year. 

I found some surprising facts regarding this plaque. It was known as a Naional Honor Tablet and dates back to WWl - 101 years old. I mistakenly believed it was from WWll at the time I posted. The pictures below show an example of one in pristine condition. The italicized text is copied and gives the particulars.

Also, the day after my OP, I found a 1944 s wheat penny near the location of the plaque discovery  ... A WWII era penny that is 75 years old, found the day after the 75th anniversary of D-Day! Still of the belief that both finds (the plaque and Wheat) were WWll era-related, I was astonished at my luck. I am now really excited that my first permission has yielded both Great War and WW ll finds.

My friend, fishing buddy, neighbor and lifelong resident (he'll turn 94 years young this month) told me a story about, possibly, the first WWll casualty by gunshot on American soil.  It is hearing firsthand the tale of Mr. Poncie's death that actually piqued my first interest in taking up detecting as a hobby. It also lead me to seek specific permission to hunt this site. 

The brief tale as relayed to me: At the outset of America's involvement in hostilities, many domestic sites were ordered to be guarded due to their vital nature. Mr. Poncie's property bordered by a river over which ran a railroad bridge that was suddenly under guard. With this High Alert in place and unbeknownst to him after returning from work, it must have seemed a normal evening as Mr Poncie took his usual stroll along the river and to the fateful RR bridge. The young soldier shot Mr. Poncie dead. It shocked the entire small community. The trauma and emotion were evident on my friend's face, and in his voice, seven decades later as my friend finished telling the story.

While we both sat in silence, I believe I caught the metal detecting bug. It was within a few weeks that I found this forum, purchased an Equinox 800, obtained permission from the landowner to detect for some sort of evidence of war era relics. 

Like I said my backstory is inconsequential,  but in light of finding out some provenance, I thought the enlargement of my first post would be of interest to others on this forum.

This bronzed National Honor Tablet features a relief insignia Great Seal of the Unites States and embossed text: "THIS IS THE HOME OF A SOLDIER DEFENDING THE CAUSE OF GOD HUMANITY AND AMERICA." 
An advertisement in the May 11, 1918 Collier's Magazine shows that such door plaques were distributed by the Hart-Ickes Co. of Toledo, Ohio at that time.
Material has a bronze colored finish, but seems to be a soft, grey, non-ferrous metal, perhaps copper plated. 
As found condition; on the back there is illegible, hand written, pencil script; we can only faintly make out "Army" and the scratched year "1918." 
Condition as pictured. No significant bends or dents, very little wear or scratching. 
Measures 5 inches high, 3 3/4 inches wide, and about 0.05 inches thick. Object's net weight is 4.6 ounces/132 grams. 
No maker's mark or label. 

7 hours ago, GB_Amateur said:

OK, I have to ask:  how do you get half a Wheat Penny?

 

Committing coin toss suicide ... Heads You win, tails I lose? That still doesn't work out.

There are two sides to every coin with one exception?

 I dunno. I think I'll sleep on it.

I wanted to get this posted on the anniversary of D-Day. I'll let the picture of this copper plaque speak for itself. 

The back story is personally significant, but is inconsequential to the recovery itself. I am honored to present it to this forum on this date.

Strick, thanks for the post. Very happy you found time to save those WWll relics. Superb write up and pics conjure the imagination of the soldiers who went to fight. Possibly returned to port having seen action wearing the items in your display. Chilling in a good way for me. My father survived his wounds after his Liberator was shot down over Italy. My grandfather served on USS Idaho and was welterweight fleet boxing champion. I have a photograph of the referee raising his arm in victory while sailors surround the ring aboard ship. It is WWll relic hunting that attracted me to metal detecting this past winter. I can only hope to put a coil over such targets as you have recovered. Job well done!

Hello Andy! I just received your book a few days ago and it could not have come at a better time. The Equinox 800 is my first detector and the book arrived as I logged my hundredth hour of headphone time. I will simply say that it has connected enough dots to drastically raise my finds, confidence and enjoyment of my new hobby. Like a series of switches making up solid connections, each function, "tip", and application had a logical context laid out simply. It was great to get the situational perspectives of familiar DP friends and other detectorists from various locales. Each person you chose to include is a teacher and brings much breth to your comprehensive practical work. BTW, the Ground Balance discussion you started as a topic elsewhere on this forum is a perfect example of applying a quick test in the field - before digging a located target - to determine what works best for your situation. A cornerstone philosophy that you espouse throughout your book. Your clear description of every function's purpose enables one to work out the "best" settings in real time. Your book has helped me turn my first corner and I want you to know how thankful I am! I don't have your experience, nor do I have the vast experiences of others on this forum - all of which I appreciate; but this book makes the experience I do have count so much more. Keep up your great work. I wish you well.

Curtis

Dan, Thanks once again for your latest display of interesting precious history. Also for the altered tactics which located them. There is a lesson for me to learn. 

Curious to know the approx TID range of the pictured items. And how distinct or otherwise the both tones sound near +8 break or on the margin? How fine a line, or, how much cushion do you believe you are you getting audio-wise for your intended targets? 

Your posts make this relic hunting is exciting. 

You gonna go all in and do west to east and south to north hunts? Keep the streak alive!

Hi Steve, and thanks for the welcome to your home. I'll try to remember to remove my boots before coming in. They've been pretty muddy lately. ?⛈

GB_A. Very nice work indeed! Thanks for the write up and pictures. Interesting hot rock TID spread and your various approaches to the conditions you faced. Glad you had a safe and productive adventure. It is the perfect time of year for camping in northern NV.

That pecan grove must have some relic trees in full bloom. Who could possibly tire of your harvest? 

Congrats on getting rid of The skunk. Like first landing on the moon, That OZ nugget is one small step for prospectors and a giant step for Mitchel ! Now you can go get Big Momma with a settled mind. As one of many in your group of supporters and cavorters, thanks for easing our mind.? May you hear the singing warble everyday.

Curtis

Mitchel,

I feel like I got to know you through this thread. I admire your adventuress spirit. A modern day gold prospector willing to push the limits of distance, time, and patience. Hang tough and go easy out there. You're close. 

Curtis

Gorgeous! And thx for the cleaning info.

Yeah, I hear ya. I appreciate knowing you're not a treasure hunting robot?.

Continued good fortune to you and thanks for responding.

Hello Dan, and again, congratulations on your finds. Your pictures of the pecan orchards are as nice as the description you wrote previously. Comparing your settings, your latest settings were slightly different: faster recovery (6 vs 4); narrowed disc (-9 to 9 vs -9 to 10). You were still able to run 23 sensitivity. Did you find the changes helpful overall?  Interested in your general assessment because you have a unique site and have varied your approach, albeit slightly.

Thanks for your posting.

Curtis

Great report Mike! You have demonstrated how viable EQ is in hot goldfield conditions. Were you using either of the Gold modes in factory settings or did conditions require some adjustments? Whichever the case, would you mind sharing your settings? 

Thanks,

Curtis

Congratulations on your pile of coins. Looks like a fun time was had. Double silver! Thanks for posting and the description of your hunting site.

Dan, thanks for taking time to put context to your finds. I look forward to your report comparing the Park 2 settings you have in mind vs the very successful Park 1. I read recently to pay attention to the details when a great find is made. Thanks again for the particulars!