Does Metal Detecting Pay Off?

Metal detecting like most other things is an investment, with the right research,effort,dedication it pays off, over the years my detector has more than paid for itself.

For me it did. I don't live on the east coast but we do have the gold fields out west. Here are a few nuggets I scored over the years (4 O'clock, 7, & 11).


I did have the opportunity to detect in Vermont a few years back after researching where the Mint building of Reuben Harmon was along Millbrook Stream (coining of the Vermont Coppers). I came across a moss covered structure and foundation and my heart started racing! Well, after looking around for a few hours, no coins, but did find an 1800's buckle and an old horse bit and lots of square nails. I plan to go back!

Nice finds Dave!! Love those nuggets!

depends on what you're looking for.

I have been doing metal detecting for more than 25 years. When I go out, if I find at least one penny, I consider it a good day, anything else is extra. I like putting on the headphones, and blanking out the world, but still aware of my surroudings. Yes, my detectors have payed for themselves, but it is the getting out in the fresh air and away from every day things that I enjoy. I try and coordinate a day of hunting with someone, where ew both can exchange finds and have a great day.

it's not just the coins and jewelry you can find that make this an enjoyable hobby. It's finding modern day relics, I mean, everything is made of plastic any more and to find hinges, straps, locks and what not that are made of metal and most times have been made right here in the U.S. of A. are a treat.

You can pretty much hang up the idea of living off what you find. Most places have been hammered pretty hard and many cities don't want you digging holes in their parks to retrieve targets, but you might get lucky with a nugget or a key date.

What happens a lot of times is someone gets a detector, spends 3 hours with it, can't ground balance it, or uses it in a trashy area and puts it in the closet with their windsurfer, hangglider and boogie board where it sits for years. Then they tell folks, "There's nothing to find anymore"

wow, I was quite windy there.

I keep a spreadsheet of my finds and hours spent.

I am averaging $1 per hour in clad coins.

There are some occasional jewelry finds, enough to pay for 2 detectors over the past 7 years.

The clad has bought headphones and accessory coils, along with some silver coin that evades me. I have not found more than $5 face value silver in 7 years.

It would be a whole different ballgame in an area such as yours, with almost 1000 years of usage. There are bound to be many old finds of both coin and relics. A brush with that kind of history is worth more than monetary gains to me.