AirmetTango
Forum Supporter
Well, it took almost 5 full detecting seasons, but I finally dug my 100th all-time silver coin today!! I was beginning to think the century mark was going to have to wait until next year, because my detecting time has been short lately, permissions non-existent, and cold weather is closing in. But today was uncharacteristically warm, so off I went to a new-to-me park with a couple ball fields that date back at least to the fifties according to aerial photos. I’ve been sitting at 99 total silvers for a couple weeks, and knowing this might be one of my last hunts for the year, I left the house on a mission….I even said to my wife “I’m not coming back until I’ve got a silver coin in my pouch”! Looking back, I’m a little disturbed at how nonchalantly she instantly deadpanned “Ok, sounds good” back at me 
Anyways, about 45 minutes into the hunt I got over a nice, tight, consistent high tone - numbers were a little jumpy thanks to depth and maybe orientation (initially about 24-29 on the EQ800, varying between 4 and 5 “shovels” on the depth meter). After pinpointing with the detector, I gave the target two or three more quick sweeps…still high toning, but I got much higher numbers of 33-36. “Uh-oh…I might be falling for junk”, I thought. Once I opened the plug, I swished with the Propointer (no joy), then swished again using my digger blade to extend the range (still no joy). I picked the detector back up and swung over the hole. What the…?!?! No signal whatsoever. I carefully dug another inch out of the hole - swished…nothing, swung the detector…nothing. I seriously considered abandoning the hole and moving on, but dang, that initial tone sounded too good. I quickly decided to trust the machine and keep digging “blind”.
About 7” down, the Propointer finally started to chirp against the sidewall - not a good sign…on the Equinox, coupled with the jumpy numbers into the mid-thirties, digging sideways is usually a sure sign of junk. I swung the detector one more time, and this time the signal was back…tight 27-28. A little more careful digging, and I dumped a shiny round coin onto the top of my pile from 8” or so down! Best I can figure, maybe the coin was oriented edge on or nearly so, which caused all the odd signals and second guessing.
Anyway, nothing earth-shattering for #100 all-time, but it turned out to be a nice 1941 Merc! Pics show the coin just out of the hole on the dirt pile, in hand, after a “field spritzer”, and finally fully washed at home. Only other notable finds for the hunt are ‘41 and ‘44 Wheats, an old pocket knife at 9”, a heart hair clip from 7” down, and $1.88 in clad. Not a bad hunt from a park!
Anyways, about 45 minutes into the hunt I got over a nice, tight, consistent high tone - numbers were a little jumpy thanks to depth and maybe orientation (initially about 24-29 on the EQ800, varying between 4 and 5 “shovels” on the depth meter). After pinpointing with the detector, I gave the target two or three more quick sweeps…still high toning, but I got much higher numbers of 33-36. “Uh-oh…I might be falling for junk”, I thought. Once I opened the plug, I swished with the Propointer (no joy), then swished again using my digger blade to extend the range (still no joy). I picked the detector back up and swung over the hole. What the…?!?! No signal whatsoever. I carefully dug another inch out of the hole - swished…nothing, swung the detector…nothing. I seriously considered abandoning the hole and moving on, but dang, that initial tone sounded too good. I quickly decided to trust the machine and keep digging “blind”.
About 7” down, the Propointer finally started to chirp against the sidewall - not a good sign…on the Equinox, coupled with the jumpy numbers into the mid-thirties, digging sideways is usually a sure sign of junk. I swung the detector one more time, and this time the signal was back…tight 27-28. A little more careful digging, and I dumped a shiny round coin onto the top of my pile from 8” or so down! Best I can figure, maybe the coin was oriented edge on or nearly so, which caused all the odd signals and second guessing.
Anyway, nothing earth-shattering for #100 all-time, but it turned out to be a nice 1941 Merc! Pics show the coin just out of the hole on the dirt pile, in hand, after a “field spritzer”, and finally fully washed at home. Only other notable finds for the hunt are ‘41 and ‘44 Wheats, an old pocket knife at 9”, a heart hair clip from 7” down, and $1.88 in clad. Not a bad hunt from a park!
I was certainly glad once the pinpointer finally sounded off and the signal returned once a little more dirt got moved around. 
. It has been over 7 years since I hit the 3 digit mark in silver.....this year like most years I "hang" @ 85, 89, 94, or whatever "close" number...never getting over the hump. I think I am sitting at 91 this year and with only about 1 or 2 more hunts possible (with work, travel, the holidays), I am pretty sure I will miss again....
