Metal Detecting Stories

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Housewife finds a 15th-century gold treasure valued at 250,000 pounds with metal detector
The 15th-century gold treasure is believed to be part of a high-quality container or pendant, depicting the Holy Trinity. It is the first really valuable object that Mary Hannaby has spotted in 7 years of metal detecting fields and beaches. Mary, 57, made the discovery while on one of her usual 6-hour Sunday detecting walks with her son Michael: "You get a buzz every time you get a signal, but chances are it won't be anything." As one of only 3 of its kind to have survived, the find could be worth even more than 250,000 pounds, because its engraving is being compared to that of the Middleham Jewel, which fetched 1.3 million pounds at auction in 1986. | by telegraph.co.uk :: 2009-07-04 |

Metal-detecting group digs up Roman treasure a hoard of Roman silver coins
Metal-detecting hobbyists could soon be cashing it in after locating a hoard of silver Roman coins dating back 1,500 years. Three members of Bridlington Quay Detecting Society located 75 silver coins and 10 bronze coins, dating back to the year 355AD, on farmland near Filey. One estimate puts the value of nearly pure silver coins at up to 150 pounds each, with the value of bronze coins up to 5 pounds each. | by bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk :: 2009-07-04 |

Treasure hunter Odyssey ordered to give 500 million booty back to Spain
Did an American treasure hunter loot Spain's cultural heritage? Should private companies have a right to profit from historic vessels in international waters? Those were the questions that a federal judge in Tampa, Florida considered before ordering Odyssey Marine Exploration - the most sophisticated and well-financed treasure-hunting group on the planet - to turn over $500 million in gold and silver coins salvaged from a Spanish shipwreck. "The judge saw that the ship and its contents belong to Spain. It's a hugely important ruling and one that will set a precedent for future claims," said Spain's minister of culture. As a result Odyssey's stock dropped by over 50%. | by scientificamerican.com :: 2009-06-12 |

Lazy treasure hunters can "upgrade" their metal detectors to metal detecting sandals
Here is an alternative to carrying around large metal detector to search for hidden treasures: Metal Detecting Sandals. They work using the same principal as standard metal detecting equipment. A copper metal coil inside the right sandal is powered by a battery pack that is strapped to leg. If something metallic enters the magnetic field within 2 feet, the wearer can be notified by a red light, audible buzz, or vibration. Powered by a single 9 Volt battery, the sandals can be used for treasure seeking for up to 6 hours - and they do not draw as much attention as someone carrying a large metal detector on the beach. | by geek.com :: 2009-06-12 |

Metal detector hobbyist finds rare penny worth 2,000 pounds
After years of searching, the penny finally dropped for a metal detectorist when he discovered a coin worth 2000 pounds. Clive Nobbs stumbled upon the 1200-year-old penny -- rare silver penny of Queen Cynethryth -- in the middle of a 20-acre ploughed field. "This is easily the most important thing I've ever found. It didn't look like much when I found it. It was about 4-5 inches down and black with age but it turns out to be incredibly rare," explained the amateur archaeologist and historian. | by midhurstandpetworth.co.uk :: 2009-04-26 |

Treasure hunter's Iron Age find - Just months after taking up metal detecting
An amateur treasure hunter discovered two Iron Age bronze bowls and a wine strainer just months after taking up metal detecting. The rare artefacts, of "great importance for the UK," were discovered in Newport, south Wales, in 2007. Craig Mills came across the items in the Langstone area of the city, just 9 months after he pick up metal detector for the first time. "I didn't realise how significant it was. I was detecting for 9 months before that and I have found nothing like it." They are thought to have been made 25-60 AD and were buried at the time of the Roman army's campaign against the Iron Age Silures tribe of south Wales, between 47-75 AD. | by bbc.co.uk :: 2009-04-26 |

Metal detector finds medieval silver ring in farm field
Brass band enthusiast Douglas Fletcher's keen ear has unearthed treasure. He was metal detecting on farmland in Flint when he discovered an almost pure silver medieval ring. His find had just as much to do with his musical ear, because his metal detector is designed to emit different high pitch sounds when it hits certain metals. "I am a musician... I have a very good ear for music, which is why I got this kind of metal detector which works more with sound. I've only found things like Victorian coins before, nothing like this." The 14th Century medieval ring (96-97% pure silver) was detected 6 inches below the surface. | by dailypost.co.uk :: 2009-03-17 |

Metal detector hobbyists return lost rings and pockets watches to their owners
Waving their metal detectors the members of the Lancaster Research & Recovery Club turn lost into found. Leon and Leona Ogden have find 400 rings and thousands of coins. George Hickman hit a Civil War-era silver pocket watch and antique toy soldier. And Paul Means has discovered handfuls of lost jewelry. But sometimes when detectorists put their metal detectors into service, the only result is soda-can pull tabs. On March 8 the club invites new metal-detecting hobbyists to a Metal Detecting 101 class. "We pass out magazines on the hobby, have displays on finds, literature on the dos and don'ts and some information on the legalities," explained club president Susan Race. | by lancasteronline.com :: 2009-02-18 |

Metal Detecting Stories -- Delivering hand-picked articles about treasure hunting, metal detectors and detectorists

Metal Detecting Stories is an edited review of metal detecting, treasure hunting and metal detectors related articles.