Hobbies And Interests
Equipment and Setup
The most obvious piece of equipment that you need will be a metal detector, but choosing the right one is very important. Many inexpensive metal detectors create oscillating magnetic fields and beep when they find magnetic material. This can be useful for coin hunting or other topsoil treasures but fails when you start looking into deep areas or black sand. More recent developments have yielded the pulse induction detector. This is more expensive but will let you search for gold and rare metals in areas that are highly mineralized. Also, pick up a historical lore map from your local convention and visitor's bureau. Many states have old mining areas that are no longer profitable to mine but can yield a small trove for the enthusiast.
What to Search For
The most common items found by treasure hunters are lost rings, coins, and other dropped items. These are often referred to as topsoil or topside treasures as they are usually near the surface of the ground. Deeper underneath, rare coins and artifacts can be found in various parts of the world. Wheat pennies are common finds in America, while Greek and Roman coins are highly sought after in Europe. Rare metals such as gold or silver are the metal detective's ultimate prize, and a good find can often pay for your next trip.
Where to Look
Topside treasures are found anywhere that people are likely to lose items of worth. Rings and coins are commonly found in playgrounds, on beaches, or anywhere else that a little bit of sand might obscure a shiny object. Mountainsides also can provide a wealth of resources as the constant shift of the terrain turns up what are normally buried prizes. Black sand is a highly mineralized topsoil that often contains rare metals, and many gold panners and metal detectives consider it a sure sign of nearby riches. While actual sites are protected like prospector's claims, many local enthusiasts and shops will share their tips on what regions you should be searching and what tools work best in your area.