2020 Ain't So Bad After All - Well At Least For Today

[Chase Goldman]

Did some relic hunting today with the intention of comparing some detectors (Deus, Tarsacci) but the Deus was on fire and besides keeping me from running a detector comparison test it also made it more difficult for me to proclaim 2020 a complete and total dumpster fire, but there is still another month to go....

Anyway, about a hour into the hunt, with the Deus connected to the 11" X35 coil and set at 12 khz with pitch tones and reactivity at about 2.5, I had found some keeper lead and brass.

Then I happened upon a strong, 45- 47 signal.  Thought it was likely can slaw but I was digging any repeatable non-ferrous signal.  My handheld pinpointer indicated it was not deep, and I used my digger to come at it from a safe angle, just in case, and low and behold, out popped my first ever gold coin find - 1849 Open Wreath $1 Gold Piece.  It was surreal.  My digging partner thought I was kidding, but there it sat glimmering in daylight.  Sent a text over to prove it since we were appropriately social distancing (something that comes naturally with this hobby).  What a great initiation into the GC club.

Needless to say, I kept swinging the Deus for the rest of the day except for a brief half-hearted attempted to see if I could get the Tarsacci going, but save for one so-so brass target, it was a Deus day.  I swapped to my 9" round HF coil after the Tarsacci run and finshed up strong with some button, buckle, and bullet finds.  One of my best detector single day outings ever in terms of both quantity and quality of relic finds.  Only missing silver on this trip, but not complaining.  Hopefully, this was a just a preview of what might be in store for 2021, as 2020 has been pretty much a lost year for many of us as far as detecting and other life pursuits go.  The Tarsacci/Deus bake off will just have to wait for another day.  Stay safe out there and happy hunting.

 

CG

[kac]

Way to go! Been looking for those in my parts where I found quite a few other coins in the same time range.

Curious did it ring in close to a beavertail?

[Chase Goldman]

1 minute ago, kac said:

Way to go! Been looking for those in my parts where I found quite a few other coins in the same time range.

Curious did it ring in close to a beavertail?

A little lower, actually.

[abenson]

Congratulations Hugh on the gold coin! That's a day you won't forget. It was great seeing you at DIV.

[kac]

Some info on them here on wiki including number minted etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_dollar

 

[Chase Goldman]

6 minutes ago, phrunt said:

Well done on the goldie, when I find something good I always think I should leave just in case I lose it 🙂 When I stay and keep detecting I keep checking to see it's still in my pocket thinking I'll lose it, I did lose almost 9 grams of gold nuggets once, fortunately we went back in the dark with a torch and found my gold bottle.

Ha ha.  I hear you.  First thing I did once I was able to stand was to get it back to the truck for safe keeping then I resumed swinging without fear.  Those $1 gold coins are tiny.

[Chase Goldman]

11 minutes ago, abenson said:

Congratulations Hugh on the gold coin! That's a day you won't forget. It was great seeing you at DIV.

Andy - I really enjoyed talking shop with you at DIV and came away with some really good tips and tricks.  Hope to get the Tarsacci out for some more field tests.  Was in a groove with the Deus today.  When you are swinging with confidence in your detector and your abilities,  it almost seems like the ground is transparent.  Swinging Tarsacci made me feel like I was swinging in a fog.  Need to force myself to put more hours into it.  I think the site I was at would be well suited for Tarsacci and am sure I would have hit just about every target I found with Deus, but Deus had the "x" factor today.

[Valens Legacy]

Fantastic hunting on your part! Beautiful collection of items to add to your finds.

Just one question for you , does the coin stink like the one I found?

Great hunt and best wishes on your next outing!

[mn90403]

I can't resist.

You 'chased' one down.  Way to Gold.

Now you are really a Goldman.

Mitchel

[Chase Goldman]

 

53 minutes ago, mn90403 said:

I can't resist.

You 'chased' one down.  Way to Gold.

Now you are really a Goldman.

Mitchel

Yep.  I finally lived up to my moniker, Mitchel.  Though I have snagged beach gold, I had been chasing this one down for some time.