FloridaDigger
Senior Member
Great thread. Sign me up for the next edition
How to pick the right curb strip for old coins
- Thread starter Swing360
- Start date
Super thread,
I think I'm going on google maps/earth and look for curb strips. Closest and oldest to my location. I have shoulder problems now and havn't been hunting. Maybe curb strips are the answer. I can just go slow and do a couple small ones to try my shoulder.
Tin
I think I'm going on google maps/earth and look for curb strips. Closest and oldest to my location. I have shoulder problems now and havn't been hunting. Maybe curb strips are the answer. I can just go slow and do a couple small ones to try my shoulder.
Tin
ecoast
Elite Member
afa what crusader may have used to plot, you can look at My Tracks for Android
Ok got the tape measure out and I am going to head into town later so I can get some stuff on sprinklers and other common objects that we need to be aware of.
Will also get some photos that show how to properly get up against the curb.
Last few days have been hectic, so i couldn't get anything done picture wise yesterday
Tin: Google earth is the best tool for curb strip hunting. You don't need overlays once you learn what to look for which makes it quick and easy. All you have to do from there is drive to your location
Will also get some photos that show how to properly get up against the curb.
Last few days have been hectic, so i couldn't get anything done picture wise yesterday
Tin: Google earth is the best tool for curb strip hunting. You don't need overlays once you learn what to look for which makes it quick and easy. All you have to do from there is drive to your location
Pastor Bob
Elite Member
Can't wait til it warms up so I can find those
Ok team, let's talk about technique... obviously the more you know the more successful you will be. I'very watched more than 1 person do this incorrectly, so I will touch on it.
This first pic is THE WRONG WAY to try and scan for an object that is pushed up against the curb. I see people make this mistake and I grin knowing they are leaving me the challenging, but often times more rewarding finds.
This is THE RIGHT WAY to START scanning for objects pushed up against the curb (obviously we swing right to left)
Several things to note here. The 3 center holes on my coil is where the curb actually starts even thought the grass is to the right of that. Unless someone was out with an edge tool this will always be the case.
Another thing is swing speed. When I run right up against the sidewalk I slow it down quite a bit because you will find significantly more rusty nails here than normal, but there is a way to fix this that doesn't involve using your disc.
Once you find a questionable signal and I say questionable because regardless if it's copper, gold, silver, whatever, you won't get a clean crisp hit like you would if it were off the curb because they generally sit on edge you can isolate that signal better to decide wet her or not to dig.
if you look at the arrow think of the lateral line as 1. That's the direction you swing to locate a signal and once it's located you move to step 2&3 which would be the points of the arrow. I've found that swinging like this gives me a more stable ID on VDI and the tone cleans up a bit as well also. Since switching to this style I dig less rusty nails, but I still do dig them thinking they are an indian usually. Remember to be EXTRA careful when pulling coins off the curb like this. Because of the close proximity to the curb you have a GREAT potential to nick these more than normal, or to scratch them on the curb itself, but I've found the coins that come from pushed up against the curb are some of the best shape coins I find.
Also, one other thing to look for in strip hunting is the street at times! Here is an example that shows the strips on this particular block are old.
Bet that cobblestone looked attractive back in the day!
This first pic is THE WRONG WAY to try and scan for an object that is pushed up against the curb. I see people make this mistake and I grin knowing they are leaving me the challenging, but often times more rewarding finds.
This is THE RIGHT WAY to START scanning for objects pushed up against the curb (obviously we swing right to left)
Several things to note here. The 3 center holes on my coil is where the curb actually starts even thought the grass is to the right of that. Unless someone was out with an edge tool this will always be the case.
Another thing is swing speed. When I run right up against the sidewalk I slow it down quite a bit because you will find significantly more rusty nails here than normal, but there is a way to fix this that doesn't involve using your disc.
Once you find a questionable signal and I say questionable because regardless if it's copper, gold, silver, whatever, you won't get a clean crisp hit like you would if it were off the curb because they generally sit on edge you can isolate that signal better to decide wet her or not to dig.
if you look at the arrow think of the lateral line as 1. That's the direction you swing to locate a signal and once it's located you move to step 2&3 which would be the points of the arrow. I've found that swinging like this gives me a more stable ID on VDI and the tone cleans up a bit as well also. Since switching to this style I dig less rusty nails, but I still do dig them thinking they are an indian usually. Remember to be EXTRA careful when pulling coins off the curb like this. Because of the close proximity to the curb you have a GREAT potential to nick these more than normal, or to scratch them on the curb itself, but I've found the coins that come from pushed up against the curb are some of the best shape coins I find.
Also, one other thing to look for in strip hunting is the street at times! Here is an example that shows the strips on this particular block are old.
Bet that cobblestone looked attractive back in the day!
H2O ADDICTION
Full Member
Great read! I have not even begun hitting the old curb strips in the neighborhoods I hunt. Still lots of original sidewalks in my area too - Learned a little something here - Thanks!
Isaac43
Banned
Swing... great and informative thread! When I find a curb strip I'll be sure to refer to this thread!
machineman
Senior Member
I would put on a small coil and check the cracks in the cobbles. Thanks for the the info.
Jason in Enid
Elite Member
Why? Are you going to start prying out bricks if you get a good tone?
There is absolutely ZERO substitute for knowing your machine. I'd be willing to bet I can run circles around the next person with a 5x8 that hasn't pUT the hundreds if not thousand hours on their machine. I have checked that cobblestone already. Came up with clad. Plus I can't pull brick...
Sophia
Junior Member
Oh no, I've definitely scanned the edges incorrectly in my newbie-ness.
Previously visited curb strips, we will meet again in the spring!
Thanks again for the extremely helpful tips, Swing! You really are a curb strip expert!
Previously visited curb strips, we will meet again in the spring!
Thanks again for the extremely helpful tips, Swing! You really are a curb strip expert!
LordOfTheZincs
Elite Member
1 of the picures I wanted to upload just did for some reason, so i am going to blab about it for a second
This curb strip has NO curb on the street side at all. In looking at it you can see it never has. Just to the left is a 1880's church. What I like about this is it tells me that in the 10's,20's,30's etc that the cars pulled up on or closer to this than your average curb more than if an actual curb was there. Because of this the first 3-5 feet closest to the street will be trashier, but will also have a potential for old masked coins and jewelry. Go slow and take it all. I always seem to do well on tokens and lipstick tubes in these situations (could be coincidence)
The picture doesn't show it too well, but if you look close the grass slopes down from where cars have been edging up on it and the tires create wear. If there are coins or jewelry there the slope will throw the signal and make things usually sound jumpy and lean towards a higher tone than normal. Go slow... hit it from multiple angles and dig the shallow surface signals. I dug a 1900 indian in beautiful condition that was on the surface but on the bottom of the slope. Why? Cars edging up pulled that coin out over time and I walked over it twice before I dug it thinking it was just a fresh drop.
Also, notice the thin patchy grass? Sod doesn't look like that. That dirt is original
What if we have some that are like this example but where it leads up to the sidewalk, it instead has grass that goes all the way up to that house or whatever it is. I do think there are some like that here and some that have shallow ditches? There should still be a property line back a ways from the black top correct? 
(sitting back down preparing to take notes) 
metaladdict
Elite Member
Nice granite curbs! Some really old (1800s) curbs are curved not square(rareish) around here.
I need to hit some old curb strips where I grew up.
I need to hit some old curb strips where I grew up.
LordOfTheZincs
Elite Member
Once you find a questionable signal and I say questionable because regardless if it's copper, gold, silver, whatever, you won't get a clean crisp hit like you would if it were off the curb because they generally sit on edge you can isolate that signal better to decide wet her or not to dig.
if you look at the arrow think of the lateral line as 1. That's the direction you swing to locate a signal and once it's located you move to step 2&3 which would be the points of the arrow. I've found that swinging like this gives me a more stable ID on VDI and the tone cleans up a bit as well also. Since switching to this style I dig less rusty nails, but I still do dig them thinking they are an indian usually.
I wanna make sure I got this right too Swing. So right to left, then once I find a decent tone I turn 45 deg and check then another 45 the other way to check? Don't turn a full 90 deg. like normal? Thanks buddy!
(dunce cap)
I see what you are saying. I definately don't do those without permission from the home owner even though I know the property marker sits back anywhere from 10-20' from the road. The problem is the home owner will assume without a shadow of a doubt you are on their property (even if you aren't). I have knocked and asked for weird spots that are questionable as to it being theirs or the city's and not asked about their property and almost always get a yes reassuring them I will stay within the confined space requested. You gave me a good idea for a topic later
As to your next question. Yes. You are 100% correct. Check the targets at a 45* no need to go 90. You can go fI'll 90, I just get more info on the 45* swings I've come to find
One thing that I don't know is how this works with a concentric coil... I have never used one in this situation. Do you have the concentric or 11" DD? I do know if you have the 4" (5"?) Sniper coil it works really well in this situation. I pulled a bunch of buttons with the F2/sniper coil combo real tight to the curb along with some nice coins (one 1907 S barber dime I auctioned here for a pretty good deal)
Zipp & H20: I'm glad you enjoy the thread. Ideally everybody can take at least a little something from this thread to add to their style and enhance the end results
Beachscanner
In Memory Of
Swing, do you ever get grief from local folks about digging?
HECK YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
This is a touchy subject and a very REAL reason why curb strip hunting just isn't for some people... I have had the police called on me probably close to 100 times now over the years. Not something I am proud of by any means, but it's the reality of this type of hunting.
I am not afraid of confrontation in ANY form. I am always willing to "move on", but that is all dependent on the persons attitude. I am not a child, so if people want to talk to me like that I treat them like that. One of my favorite tactics is to have them point out property markers which are always where I'm NOT
. But that's only if they are being rude. After chatting with the homeowner they 9/10 are VERY comfortable with my being there, but if they aren't and are pleasant I shake hands and move on my way. I always keep a cup of cool finds that include buttons, silver coins, really nice square nails, dog tags (no gold) so I can show the homeowner what I do, why I do it and what could be in their yard. This takes their attention off what I am doing in a positive way and opens up an opportunity for permissions.
My cup
