Got permission to hunt 1925 house

[fllawboy]

I just got permission to hunt a 1925 home in South Florida. The house is one of the oldest in the area that I have been able to locate. When it was built in 1925 it was one of the biggest houses and was owned by the same family well into the 1980s. It has had 2 owners to date. I would like to have some suggestions on how best to hunt this property, as I will most likely have this weekend as my only shot at it. The owner's wife is away and he has told me to come by and see what I can find. Apparently he is very interested in what is hidden on the property and his wife is against having her lawn and yard dug up. At best this weekend because of work commitments I will have 5 to 6 hours total to hunt the property. Given the time constraints I would like some thoughts on how best to approach this site. I am intrigued by the site, as I strongly believe that no one has ever hunted it before as most treasure hunters down here stick to the beaches, parks and surf. Thanks in advance for any suggestions and I will post anything I find in a follow-up post.
Best regards,

 

[coinnut]

First of all did you get clear permission to hunt and KEEP everything you find, or will you split it? This issue WILL come up, especially when the owner sees coins coming out of the ground. Think about that one for a while. Next issue. Dig a plug 3/4 ways around the hole. Don't cut the whole plug out, the grass will probably die. If you cut the "U" shaped plug, it still has one side attached. Don't detect if it's blazing sun or if it isn't going to rain soon. But if you do, Dig a deep plug, getting as much dirt and roots in the plug, so it won't dry out. Next. I don't know what kind of machine you have, but use the closest coil you have in the 8" to 10.5" range. Start with moderate discrimination. Not too much, not too little. Start at the house and work around it. Lot's of the goods will be nearer the house and less frequent as you stray away. Be patient, slow down, pinpoint well, and remember 5 or 6 hours is a good amount of time. Steady Eddie wins the race. Good luck and definitely keep us posted. As for the who gets to keep the finds? You may want a back up plan if things get dicey. You may want to offer him some of the goods or even split 50/50. I would put all of the finds in a pile (coins, buttons, iron, everything) and alternate each picking one item. So if there are two good coins, its a guarantee each will get one good one. Just a thought.

 

[fllawboy]

Coinnut thanks for the advice. The owner is a friend of mine. We have agreed on a 50/50 split. I am using an MXT was going to bring the 6x10, 4x6, and 12" spider. Was going to stick mainly with the 6x10, if trashy go to 4x6. If not getting anything go to 12".

 

[chumline]

The alternating you pick/I pick concept is a great idea with friends or otherwise! Best of luck with this great opportunity!

 

[fllawboy]

Spent two hours at the house today, it was a nightmare. It had more hot rocks, sprinkler systems, and pipes than anywhere I have ever been. I could not get over the number of sprinkler pipes I encountered! I played with the gain, adjusted discrimination, but no luck. The sprinkler pipes and the other pipes I encountered kept coming up as Nickel/Ring on VDI or Penny/Dime on VDI. I used the 6x10 and found 2 Quarters (1973, 1990), 1 dime (1985), and 1 penny 1960. The only signals I was sure on were the Quarters, I just knew as soon as I heard them what they were. The dime and penny were iffy, because there were some pipes I had hit that gave the same sound and same VDI reading. The deepest coin I found was 4 inches. The foil in and around the house also made it a real treat to hunt. I had fun, but had at least expected to find a coin or two older than 1960. One thing I know for certain is that beer was plentiful at the house as I could not step two feet with out a screw cap or pull tab registering. There used to be a porch in the back, but now in it's place is a concrete driveway. It appeared that the soil around the house was not original. I live a few miles away and the soil is quite different,at my house the soil is very sandy, this soil almost appeared to be potting soil. I did not get any signals deeper than 6 inches, which I thought was strange.

I am debating about going back tomorrow to try the 4x6 shooter and the 12" spider. I do not know what to think of the location as a hunting spot, a little disappointing so far. My research had me convinced that I would find some older coins.

Back to the drawing board!

 

[Gadget Guru]

If your getting such a "hot" reading using those coils, Do NOT use the Super 12! Go with the smallest coil you have and drop the gain down. If you are continuing to hit pipes at the same VDI then block it out.
Never give up! Good Luck.

 

[steelheadfever]

Old homes have lots of trash. Leave the 12" coil at home it will not do you any good. Like the Garu said use the smallest coil you have and don't crank you gain up. Leave it at preset or lower and go slow. Good luck and let us see your finds. HH Dennis in Idaho

 

[coinnut]

Hi, I have done sites like this. If the soil is not original, then you are going to have a tough time of it regardless of what coil you use. It will all be modern. I usually look for the area that has not been filled in. You can tell by the roots that are exposed and not buried on the trees in the yard. Start there with a small coil. But I suggest that you max the preamp and sensitivity to a stable sound. Every 1/4" counts when it is a filled yard. Look for the unfilled areas, they will produce the older stock. Good luck.

 

[B.T]

Hunted roo's, foxes, pigs, but never a house before. Hope you find it. What size coil are you using?

 

[steelheadfever]

Now that was funny B.T. LOL[quote B.T]Hunted roo's, foxes, pigs, but never a house before. Hope you find it. What size coil are you using?[/quote]

 

[Dan-Pa.]

This yard may have had major work done on it and refilled with new dirt(top soil) which may explain the lack of old coins...