Value of Finds

[Benchthis2]

someone asked me once how much my finds where worth, good question, I said, not to give him a dollar value in melts, but in history, It did make me think of actual value in terms of $$ so I took them all out and just scanned them over last 5 years, guessing enough to purchase new detector

 

[Tpmetal]

Its only worth what someone is willing to pay

 

[treasureguy56]

Its only worth what someone is willing to pay

Yup , and most times people arent willing to pay much . Its generally worth more to you as the finder than anybody else .

 

[Cherry Picker]

Been asked that myself many times and my answer is always the same. Priceless! I couldn't begin to put a monetary value on the fun, enjoyment, and probably the good to my health metal detecting has given me.

 

[IDXMonster]

I recently wanted to find that out, so I took a large part of my coin finds to my coin store that I’ve sold gold and coins to before. I assessed the value in my mind to be 600$, I wasn’t interested in a penny less. 700$ would’ve been better, 800$ would’ve made me smile. He wound up giving me 1,100$. Needless to say I undervalued what I had, so be careful about setting your bar too low, coin shops get GOOD money for things you think aren’t that great.
Did I “make money” in the long run? Hardly, the price of going metal detecting to find all those things is many times that I’m sure. Hobbies rarely pay for themselves in the long run, but money isn’t the objective for most of us here, it’s the challenge and thrill of the hunt that you can’t put a value on. Those who understand do, those who don’t cannot.

 

[Benchthis2]

Yup , and most times people arent willing to pay much . Its generally worth more to you as the finder than anybody else .

Thanks, agree

 

[Benchthis2]

I recently wanted to find that out, so I took a large part of my coin finds to my coin store that I’ve sold gold and coins to before. I assessed the value in my mind to be 600$, I wasn’t interested in a penny less. 700$ would’ve been better, 800$ would’ve made me smile. He wound up giving me 1,100$. Needless to say I undervalued what I had, so be careful about setting your bar too low, coin shops get GOOD money for things you think aren’t that great.
Did I “make money” in the long run? Hardly, the price of going metal detecting to find all those things is many times that I’m sure. Hobbies rarely pay for themselves in the long run, but money isn’t the objective for most of us here, it’s the challenge and thrill of the hunt that you can’t put a value on. Those who understand do, those who don’t cannot.

Yes, for me it’s always been about the thrill of the hunt

 

[Cherry Picker]

Yes, for me it’s always been about the thrill of the hunt

It's been my motto for years.

 

[Benchthis2]

Yes, for me it’s always been about the thrill of the hunt

Might add for me it’s about doing the research, enjoy reading local history and seeing if there is something there, doing overlay of old maps on google earth, then getting permission to detect

 

[LovestheShiny!]

While I enjoy the challenge of every hunt, seeing what I can sniff out of a new permission, there is value in gold, silver, and modern clad. Rare dates can really bring a goodly sum if sold. Clad can add up over years of detecting. I've probably paid for my AT Pro 3x what I paid for it back in March 2017 with just the clad. And so I can deduct the mileage from my detecting trips, my wife sells groups of Copper Memorial Cents and Wheat Cents on the internet, and there are buyers for those. I keep all my tokens, silver coins, silver rings, and older stuff like Indian Head Cents, advertising coins, medals etc as they are most valued from the fun of finding them.

 

[hoser]

Ya know it just doesn't matter. If you found these items and in your mind they were of value to you at that point in time then it boils down to whatever monetary value you want to put on it. If it is just a nominal find you put a dollar value on it you want to get. If it is something extra special, that will take some further thinking.

 

[stetam]

I have been detecting for 4 1/2 years now, only hunt dirt and freshwater creeks and have paid for my machines 3x over with gold rings found. Gold and silver is nice to get but for me I value the colonial buckles, buttons, old coppers and relics dating to the 1600's much more. When I'm gone the kids will probably just toss the old stuff but while I'm still around I can enjoy it and share it with local historical societies.

Steve

 

[hoser]

When I'm gone the kids will probably just toss the old stuff but while I'm still around I can enjoy it and share it with local historical societies.

Giving these items to historical societies is a great way to preserve them for other generations to be able to see and appreciate. Good going.

 

[bmattioli]

I could never sell anything I've found. I'm a collector..

 

[Tpmetal]

Giving these items to historical societies is a great way to preserve them for other generations to be able to see and appreciate. Good going.

I'm going to have to disagree, everything I have donated or seen donated usually just ends up in a box in storage never to see the light of day. They then get lost, thrown out, or taken home by someone.

 

[Cherry Picker]

I'm going to have to disagree, everything I have donated or seen donated usually just ends up in a box in storage never to see the light of day. They then get lost, thrown out, or taken home by someone.

I took a box of relics I had found to the Boot Hill Musume years ago and told them They could have it all if they could tell me what they were. It was basic stuff like a Cavery cuff button, a.69 caliber musket ball, a 45-70 mini ball, and others. They couldn't tell me one thing. I told them I couldn't donate them if they didn't know any more about local history. I have donated to the Boot Hill Musume, but only stuff I have a lot of.

 

[hoser]

I'm going to have to disagree, everything I have donated or seen donated usually just ends up in a box in storage never to see the light of day. They then get lost, thrown out, or taken home by someone.

Oh, that's sad. Our local museum is really good about putting things on display. I agree, if they won't put things out for others to see, why give to them.

 

[KOB]

Have had a few hobbies in my life. This is the only 1 where I've enjoyed exercise and made $$$. One of the few , yes. But there are others who don't brag or belong to groups. In terms of money , all I can say is over the decades I've paid for every detector , batteries , scoops , food , gas , parking passes and parking tickets ! Everything else md'ing related is debatable.

 

[bottlecap4u]

I'm a hoarder, so my stash is worthless, but for me...priceless. lol