Mason Jarr
New member
I bought an E-trac from Bart at Big Boys Hobbies back in November. It probably wasn't the best time to buy one because we've had a pretty cold winter in Idaho and all I could do is caress and look at the E-trac and hope that the weather would get better, the snow would melt and the ground would thaw. While I waited, I read everything I could.....Andy Sabisch's book, posts on forums, whatever....and experimented in my backyard. Towards the end of January most of our snow had melted, but the ground was still frozen solid (we went for a 3 week period where the daytime highs never got above freezing). I had to get out though so I went to some areas that I worked last year with a White's DFX. I mainly wanted to learn the machine and listen to the tones. I knew if I got some good signals I could go back later when the ground had thawed and do the digging.
Now, a lot of what I'd read said to spend the first 50 hours or so in relatively clean areas looking for clad coins and jewelry and just learning the language of the machine. So that's what I've been doing. The last week and a half it's warmed up enough to where most places are diggable, so I've been out almost every day that the weather was nice. I started with some newer spots that had very little trash. It wasn't long before I was picking out the good tones of pennies, dimes and quarters. The nickels took a little longer to figure out, but I think I've got those down now as well.
Along the way, I met "Jason in ID" on this site and he's become my e-mail mentor. Even though he's studying hard in dental school, he's taken the time almost every day to give me tips and critique what I'd told him I'd done that day. It wasn't quite as beneficial as having someone physically beside you while you're learning, but it was pretty close. He's helped me tremendously when I'd run across a situation that completely confused me. So these pictures are the results of my last 10 days or so, hunting probably 4 or 5 hours each day.
Here's the modern coins I've found: One presidential $1, 56 quarters, 79 dimes, and 27 nickels. I also dug 74 pennies, but they're soaking in my olive oil jar right now.
The other day, I found this unique coin (at least unique to me). I thought it was a nickel and just dropped it in my pouch. When I was washing the dirt off it at home I noticed it was slightly larger than a nickel. It's a five centisimo balboa from Panama. In the second photo you might be able to see the date at the top, but I apologize that it's upside down. The date is 1932. I don't know how this coin came to live in Idaho, but I'm glad to find it.
Lastly, I told Jason I'd dedicate my first silver to him. When I said that, I anticipated it would be a silver coin, but the same day I found the balboa I found a silver ring on a small piece of silver chain. It's small, it's cheap, but it is silver. So, I'd like to publicly thank Jason for all his help. I've read countless stories about new users trying to learn the E-trac and having major frustrations. They should all be so lucky to have someone like Jason to help them learn.
In a few weeks I'm headed down to Georgia to visit my Dad. That's where I grew up and there's lots of old schools, churches, country stores, abandoned houses, etc. I'm hoping to move to the next level and start finding the old stuff. I should be leaving around the 11th of March and I'll be headed back to Idaho around the middle of April. If I'm fortunate to swing over some silver or old cents, I'll be sure to post.
Mike
Now, a lot of what I'd read said to spend the first 50 hours or so in relatively clean areas looking for clad coins and jewelry and just learning the language of the machine. So that's what I've been doing. The last week and a half it's warmed up enough to where most places are diggable, so I've been out almost every day that the weather was nice. I started with some newer spots that had very little trash. It wasn't long before I was picking out the good tones of pennies, dimes and quarters. The nickels took a little longer to figure out, but I think I've got those down now as well.
Along the way, I met "Jason in ID" on this site and he's become my e-mail mentor. Even though he's studying hard in dental school, he's taken the time almost every day to give me tips and critique what I'd told him I'd done that day. It wasn't quite as beneficial as having someone physically beside you while you're learning, but it was pretty close. He's helped me tremendously when I'd run across a situation that completely confused me. So these pictures are the results of my last 10 days or so, hunting probably 4 or 5 hours each day.
Here's the modern coins I've found: One presidential $1, 56 quarters, 79 dimes, and 27 nickels. I also dug 74 pennies, but they're soaking in my olive oil jar right now.
The other day, I found this unique coin (at least unique to me). I thought it was a nickel and just dropped it in my pouch. When I was washing the dirt off it at home I noticed it was slightly larger than a nickel. It's a five centisimo balboa from Panama. In the second photo you might be able to see the date at the top, but I apologize that it's upside down. The date is 1932. I don't know how this coin came to live in Idaho, but I'm glad to find it.
Lastly, I told Jason I'd dedicate my first silver to him. When I said that, I anticipated it would be a silver coin, but the same day I found the balboa I found a silver ring on a small piece of silver chain. It's small, it's cheap, but it is silver. So, I'd like to publicly thank Jason for all his help. I've read countless stories about new users trying to learn the E-trac and having major frustrations. They should all be so lucky to have someone like Jason to help them learn.
In a few weeks I'm headed down to Georgia to visit my Dad. That's where I grew up and there's lots of old schools, churches, country stores, abandoned houses, etc. I'm hoping to move to the next level and start finding the old stuff. I should be leaving around the 11th of March and I'll be headed back to Idaho around the middle of April. If I'm fortunate to swing over some silver or old cents, I'll be sure to post.
Mike
