My theory of Terra firma

[Ism]

We often hear of the posts where someone finds an old coin or two near the surface in the same location as zincolns and pull tabs that are 6+ inches.
I have experienced the same. I have heard a lot of explanations except this one and its based on my coin test area.

The soil in my area is generally sandy or black top soil. Some areas seem to be a clay mixture that hardens like a rock when dry.
While newer technology helps to find coins mixed in trash, some coins are completely exposed to the coil and only an inch or two under the surface.

I made a coin test area in my yard a couple years ago planting the coins at varying depths from 6 inches and deeper. They were placed in the ground that was packed before the coin was set in place and measured for proper depth.
Not the best way to set a coin because in theory, it can settle deeper. But some of my coins are rising to the surface. I also have a jar of coins that has risen from 16 inches to 9" in about 4 years....How can that be???

I've had a theory for a number of years and it seems to be proving true and wonder if others have considered the same....

"The first couple of feet of the earth is a boil."

Constantly churning and moving in a slow creep that over many years can send objects deeper while bringing others to the surface.
The insects, the ground moles, tree roots, and freezing/warming cycles all contribute to the movement of objects in Terra firma.
The ground moles have reeked havoc on my coin garden. Even moving one dime almost a foot to the side of its original marked location.

This topic may have been covered but in my short number of years on the forum I haven't seen it discussed.
Any thoughts?

 

[BarberBill]

Haven't done a controlled study on the phenomenon, but I believe what you mention is something that happens often and in many locations and covers many of the questions about why one target is deeper and another more shallow than might be expected. By the time one considers the many different soil make ups, weather conditions, dying vegetation piling up etc. the possibilities are nearly endless.
BB

 

[GunnarMN]

You R right I think roots are a major factor and they go under and then expand lifting up the dirt , I hunted a woods this spring and everything was shallow and it was old stuff I figure its the roots pushing it up , and moles you bet , and gophers, who knows maybe even the worms, but moles for shure,

 

[Ed in SoDak]

I think it depends on local geology. Aound here, bedrock is mere inches deep. Hillsides wash away and change with any big rain or snow melt. Things 100 year old are seldom buried very deep. But in the bottoms where the soil accumulates, fairly recent stuff can be a foot deep.

No matter where you hunt, you gotta watch them Treasure Moles, they will steal your booty!

-Ed

 

[daddyflea]

Roots for sure I always hunt around old Trees.

 

[Mike T]

Ask the farmer who has a new crop of rocks to clear each spring. As the ground thaws objects rise to the top.