Now that I’ve shared with you an overview of my (for the most part) non-coin finds, it’s time for a quick glance toward the cash. Since most of my targets are found in area tot lots, neighborhood parks, around schools, and around a baseball park complex, the majority of the clad is common, everyday modern coinage. I’m still looking to dig my first silver coin!

I’ll admit, right off the bat, that, at this rate, I’ll never find enough to pay for my equipment. But, money truly isn’t everything (though finding a hand full tends to raise my blood pressure to normal). Some of my most valuable finds, as a matter of fact, are fresh air, exercise, solitude, and extra prayer time. Occasionally I’ll encounter one of God’s little creatures with whom I share a small plot of ground. It is on those rare occasions that I feel exceedingly blessed.

Back to the cash! I find quarters to be most exciting because, naturally, they’re more valuable than those non-silver, smaller denominations. More than half of this 6-month total is made up of $12.25 in quarters. The greatest contributor to that was the ball park. Dimes held a strong second place with $8.50. Nickels are, by far, the most illusive but I still snagged $1.10. What can I say about those pennies?! They represent more holes than any other though they’re worth almost nothing! I tend to look at pennies as, simply, a number of holes. One hundred sixty-seven is a lot of holes to dig for something with so little value! Sigh…I still feel compelled to dig any and all targets that sound like a coin or piece of jewelry.

While the first half of my booty was a compilation of 407 coins (discussed here), this last half wasn’t bad with 322 — for a grand total of $23.52! So, my first year in metal detecting brought in $49.24 (shown to the right).. For those “seasoned” detectorists, this is a mere drop in their bucket. This amount would be “a really good week” for some. But then, they eat, sleep, and breathe this exhilarating hobby. Me? Well, I’m far more casual about things. I’m slow and deliberate in both “the hunt” and “the hole.” After all, with me, it’s all about “the journey” rather than “the destination” and I give myself the time to enjoy the hunt!

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!