Is It Worth It? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 3 / Views: 1,748
Fat Freddy Pillar of the Community United States 1200 Posts	Posted 11/07/2012 5:00 pm I'm considering trying metal detecting, but haven't yet and I know nothing about it. I live near Albany NY, so I have access to public land on the shores of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers - the present-day remnants of the old Erie Barge Canal, which goes back about 200 years. Limited early settlements along these waterways go back to the early 1600s. No seashores or beaches up here. I'm hesitant to just jump into it "both feet first" because I don't know anything about it and because the start-up cost is steep. This isn't exactly a freebie start-up like coin roll hunting. Before I even start doing research into possibly getting into it, I'd appreciate some input from those who know universes more than me. The question -- Does metal detecting in an area like where I live have any significant hope of producing valuable old coins or PM's and being profitable? Or -- is this Mission:Impossible? I'm not laboring under any delusion that this is a high-speed path to vast riches, but on the other hand I wouldn't be excited about taking 15 years to get back my start-up investment, either. Report this Post to the Staff

fistfulladirt Pillar of the Community United States 4333 Posts	Posted 11/07/2012 7:06 pm It doesn't have to be costly to start. I suggest a good mid-priced USED detector, you can save hundred$. It sounds like there is good history in your area, I would not hesitate to take the plunge, but that's me. I started a bit over 3 years ago, and have dug HUNDREDS of silvers big and small, 70% of which came from hard-hunted public parks, the rest from private property. It's entirely possible to dig coins hundreds of years old, my oldest silver dated 1758 here in Michigan. Don't put a lot of money up front, if you decide it's not for you, no prob, just sell the equipment. When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors... Roll hunting since '77 Dirt fishing since '72 Report this Post to the Staff
Roscue2 Valued Member United States 158 Posts	Posted 11/07/2012 9:49 pm Your area seems promising for mding. Like fist said, no need to drop $1000 into the hobby. Start with either a new low end md or a used mid range md. I have seen some drop $2000 on a brand new top of the line md without ever mding before, and many times they quit the hobby quickly because they cannot understand what the md is telling them. Many successful mders use mid-range mds and are able to beat out the high end mds because they know their md better than the other. In short, if you enter the hobby start cheap, and if you like it, invest more. PS: Unless you are mding for clad witha brand new $2400 ctx 3030 it probably won't take you that long to pay off your equipment. lol :) HH Report this Post to the Staff
mds308 Pillar of the Community United States 1721 Posts	Posted 11/08/2012 3:42 pm Warning: Once you dig a silver coin, civil war button, French Indian Wars artifact or gold ring, you'll be hooked. My first button was an 1840-50 US Marine Corps 1-piece. That made me crazy. In the very near future I plan to post some of my finds from the last 24 years of detecting. I have more Seated coins than I have Roosevelt dimes. I have more pie pieces of old silver coins than Washington quarters. I prefer to hunt areas that are less traveled. It's more enjoyable digging an occasional good target than digging something useless every other step. Lately, over the last 7 years, my time has been very busy but when I go into my semi-retirement mode, I'll be doing a whole lot more hunting and hopefully showing off some great stuff too. My best advice to you is don't buy a garbage or cheap machine. If there is a club near you, they can be of some help too. Just don't expect those guys to share secret locations. Nobody gives up that information without a fight or something in return. I tried a club and felt very unwelcomed. I understand their mentality. Hunting with a buddy is always safer. I met my detecting buddy when I found a used detector from a trading post paper. He was selling the detector for a deceased friends family. He taught me a lot about the hobby. You can also learn a lot at a civil war trade show. There was a magazine called North South Trader Civil War and another called Western Eastern Treasure Hunters Magazine. Great information from both. Now, go get hooked. Report this Post to the Staff
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