How productive is hunting houses...

[Reader]

built in the 30s-60's. Not having much success with our ball parks etc in my area. since aluminum went up i am getting a little more for all the pull-tabs. Wanted to venture into the yards and try this untapped area. I know a good many folk, who would let me hunt their yards (responsible digging of course) and was just curious how many of you all have done that and what your success has been, p.s. looking for silver not necessarily newer coins.

Also welcome to the new 250 guys and am enjoying the posts of all your finds. thanks r

 

[jr]

Good morning, I think they are a terrific place. The older the home the better.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Hunting those yards would be very productive if they have never been hit before. Go for it.

Bill

 

[carneygeorge]

Hi Reader I'm from Colorado and I put an add in the local thrifty nickle reading something like this" Was your house built 1964 or before? If it was there are silver coins on your land. Let me metal detect your place. I split all coins 50/50. call *********, " I have had a little success and its fun to try different ways to get at the best places Private Lawns HH George

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Hi reader.
I read in a book a while ago that talked about hunting different locations.One enterprising chap, did a history search of his local area and targeted houses that had some historical significance.When he had identified houses that would be likely to be productive, he approached the owner, let him know that he is interested in detecting the owners yard for old coins, and offered to cut his lawn in exchange for the opportunity to detect in his yard.He had success with this approach.
Bottom line.Like carneygeorge also pointed out another type of approach, if you apply a bit of imagination coupled with some sort of pay off for the land owner, then I think you will be surprised with just how many opportunities can come your way.
Good luck and happy hunting.
Mick Evans.

 

[hegarov]

Hi,
I've owned an Ace 250 for over a year. During that time the only house I've hunted is my own. I found next to nothing there but that was likely because the house had been renovated before we bought it.
In 2005, shortly after I got my machine I got permission at the Township office to look inside an old one room school house built in 1900 and closed in the mid-sixties. I found a few KG6 cents, a 1937 KG nickel and a few other coins dated up to the 1965. However, I had less than 40 hours of metal detecting experience at the time and perhaps I'd do better if I went there again. My finds in the yard of the same school were actually better than what I found inside as I found my first silver coin there.
Happy hunting,
peter

 

[swanie1]

Here is a picture of what you can find in a house yard. This particular house was built where the pavillion of an old park was, back in the 1800's.
I couldn't beieve my eyes at what I found, there.

 

[jackintexas]

I find the odd thing about hunting older houses some have only new coins and you wonder why. Then you may hit one loaded with old coins and jewelry. What I am trying to say is don't get discouraged if you hunt some and and really not find much. The next one you hunt may be loaded with old coins and or jewelry.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Very nice collection. That would make my year.

Bill

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

Like you, I have given up on most public hunting. I believe in quality, not quantity. Leave the schools and parks to the people who are looking for coffee money. I would rather go out for 2 hours and find one single large cent, than 65 clad coins. Houses are the only way to go for me.

My house is on a small suburban lot less than 1/4 acre, and was built in 1964, but it was built on farm land. I have found dozens of wheaties, about a dozen silver Rosies, 7 or eight silver Washingtons, a buffalo nickel, a silver war nickel, and 2 Mercs. In addition, I have found artifacts going back to the 1800's, of which my favorite is a number 6 sleighbell.

I was out in my yard with my son yesterday with the 12.5 inch deepseeker coil, which I never used in my own yard. We got a fairly strong quarter reading at 6 inches right up against my neighbors fence. We dug down about 7 inches as close to the fence as possible, and found nothing. I hope it is another sleighbell, maybe down 12 or 13 inches.

Remember, there was something there before the house. Do some research to look at old maps of your area.

 

[Dick from IA]

Knowing something about the previous owners will certainly help; Were they an active outdoors type, or mainly working folks who spent their free time inside?

Right now I'm working a long removed housing development; has produced a 1918 Merc and a number of neat relics, too, like one of those old hand irons that were stove heated. And I haven't covered 5% of it yet. Actually it's now part of a local city park; people probably think I'm nuts searching out in a wide open grassy area. Let'em keep thinkin' that; I don't need any help!!