Around the first of July of this year, it dawned on me that the metal detecting monster has had a firm grip on me for an entire year! And, though, from my standpoint, I’ve spent quite a bit of time swinging a coil, it’s clear that I’m still a newbie at this exhilarating hobby.

I consider myself to be successful in spite of my relative newness. So, perhaps an evaluation of my finds is in order. My favorite targets are coins and jewelry so it shouldn’t surprise you that I have some favorite non-coin finds.

Among them are a James Avery silver ring, a tiny gold ring, two unrelated silver earrings, and a couple of other small jewelry items. I also must include my first “wheatie” in the short list. (For you who are not detectorists, that’s an old penny that has two stalks of wheat on the back.)

I’ve found a wide variety of interesting things. A nice little collection of Matchbox cars has taken shape. As a matter of fact, if they were real, I’d never have to buy another vehicle! Though, upon closer inspection some would need quite a bit of maintenance.

I was once asked, “Are you trying to purge the earth of all its metal?” At the time, I had a quiet chuckle over the question. However, upon looking at my collection of the “many, varied, and unusual” things that I’ve found in my first year, I’ve begun to ask myself the same question. Furthermore, it appears that, “It certainly looks like I am” might need to be my answer!