Old fair grounds

[Ism]

Today I went to a park that used to be a fair grounds at the turn of the 20th century (1900's). This is the second time with the Sovereign GT. I have located an area that has a lot of brass from shot shells in the ground (over a dozen found so far). I have always thrown them out but figured the area was for skeet shooting competitions. The area is very difficult to hunt because there is a lot of trash and nails. When I came home and cleaned my finds, I decided to see what kind of shot shells they were and what era they were from. They are "Winchester Blue Rival" 12ga shells and were made 1894-1904 from what I can find. I definitely have to clean the area to see if I can find some coins from the era. The following is what I found today 1941 merc and 1939 Canadian penny in fairly nice shape. There is a handful of clad (mostly pennies) that aren't in the pic. These are the first old coins I found in the area and I have searched it at least 4 times. the Sov came through for me today! Trying to catch up to you EP...lol

 

[GunnarMN]

lots of detectorists would have quit on the 2nd try, perserverance is a must nice silver

 

[JimmyCT]

hi ISM,

The time period of the shotgun shells tells me there is much more to be found. That merc and canadian penny are the "tip" of the iceberg. Are you using a smaller coil then the stock 10" tornado? I know for me it made a world of difference switching from the 10" stock to the tornado 800. I am confident there is much more at this place then the two coins that you found. Best of luck @ the fair grounds and look forward to your future finds from this area.- Jim

 

[fwcrawford]

Looks like you're off to a good start with the Sovereign.. sure boosts your confidence in a new machine when you make nice finds in places that have been unproductive in the past.
Bound to be some more goodies in there and no doubt the Sovereign will sniff'em out for you!!
Good luck,
Felix

 

[Ism]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. Working in a high trash area is daunting.
EP, I've never used the 800 coil but I sure would like to try one. I read of your experience with it and will likely have one next spring.

And talk about Murphy's law, Today I saw an area in the back of the park where workers removed about 4 inches of surface sod. As I went over to detect it, the rain started falling.
I wasn't equipped for rain so I just left. Tomorrow its supposed to be nice so I hope they don't decide to work on weekend. I rarely get a chance to work an area like that. Sigh....lol

 

[JimmyCT]

It may be a daunting task but the rewards (I feel ) will be great for those that have the patients to take the time to "sift" through the trash. I ask myself, self, " how many goodies have been passed over in trash because the person didn't have the patients?" We all look for "easy" good targets but how many really take the time in heavy trash? I was really shocked to pull out as many coins as I did in the little 12x12 are BUT it took 4 hours. This really opened my eyes as this carnival area has been hit many, many times over the years. And so I ask myself again, "how did all these coins escape detection? Then the possibilities sets in: too big of a coil, in a rush to cherry pick the area, incapable of diciphering good targets next to iron, beep and dig detector and became discouraged with all the junk and gave up etc etc etc I see now it isn't always the amount of land covered to find goodies but lots of patients especially in heavily trash areas. I feel there is much more to be pulled out of this 1893 carnival spot and look forward in trying to clean it out

What I can say is that the 800 coil was a "can opener" to find the goods at the trashed carnival land. There was so much iron garbage so close together, the 10" tornado would go into overload and could not seperate but the 800 "spoke up" and told me there were good targets in there. The other benefit is that the coil is LIGHT which allows me to detect much longer. I love my new 800 coil

I hope you have a chance to hit the area the park workers dug up as it sounds like a great opportunity. Best of luck and look forward to you posting your finds - Jim aka super dimeman and aka EPL

Thanks for the encouragement guys. Working in a high trash area is daunting.
EP, I've never used the 800 coil but I sure would like to try one. I read of your experience with it and will likely have one next spring.

And talk about Murphy's law, Today I saw an area in the back of the park where workers removed about 4 inches of surface sod. As I went over to detect it, the rain started falling.
I wasn't equipped for rain so I just left. Tomorrow its supposed to be nice so I hope they don't decide to work on weekend. I rarely get a chance to work an area like that. Sigh....lol

 

[Birdseed]

It is amazing, the information and history of a location all lies buried in the top few inches of soil beneath our feet. I really get a kick out of digging an artifact and then researching its origin. Old bullets and cartridges, coins, buttons and a myriad of other finds tell us of what went on in an area before. Sometimes centuries before we were born. Rings and valuable trinkets are good for the ego, but all the rest is good for the mind.
Here in Australia, little emphasis if put into teaching history any more, it is all technology, and now stuff. My grandson is constantly amazed at the stories the detector unearths, the imprints on a coin tell of events and people of long ago. Car parts can stir memories of our youth and the list goes on and on. Detecting brings out the archaeologist in all of us. What a wonderful hobby !!!!


Peter downunder

 

[Ism]

Went back out this afternoon to check the area that had dirt removed. Found 2 wheat pennies 1924 and 42. I also found the motorcycle toy.
The area was pretty much a bust so I ventured over to where I found the shotgun brass. I started hitting shells again about 80 ft from where I was the other day.
In the process I got a faint signal so I checked with all-metal. Yep in the center of the target area so I started digging...and digging.
I rechecked the area because I wasn't getting anything on the pointer.... the target was still there.
About 10" down (not counting grass), I found a chucky Cheese token...or so I thought until I cleaned it some more. It was a 1909 Canadian large cent...cool.
Then nearby I found a 42 merc. I searched the area for a while but didn't find anything else except surface clad and deep nails. Total shot brass was 7pcs for today.

The pattern of shells is in a line of about 80ft. I think I know which side of the line of brass they stood based on the older coins found.
I will continue to hunt the area and in time I will clean much of the junk to hopefully reveal more goodies.
Ive been over this area with other detectors and haven't had such success. What a nice detector the Sovereign GT!

 

[JimmyCT]

Great finds ISM! I really like the large canadian cents and is something I would like to add to my list of finds. Cool little motorcycle toy! What is the green item? looks to be a little truck of some sort? You have found a nice hot spot and I have a great feeling more is going to reveal itself as time goes on. When you end up purchasing a smaller coil, hit these very trashy spots again and see what comes up. Thanks for sharing. As you have witnessed first hand (along with myself & others), the GT will make old hunting grounds new again. Look forward to more of your posts. - Jim

Went back out this afternoon to check the area that had dirt removed. Found 2 wheat pennies 1924 and 42. I also found the motorcycle toy.
The area was pretty much a bust so I ventured over to where I found the shotgun brass. I started hitting shells again about 80 ft from where I was the other day.
In the process I got a faint signal so I checked with all-metal. Yep in the center of the target area so I started digging...and digging.
I rechecked the area because I wasn't getting anything on the pointer.... the target was still there.
About 10" down (not counting grass), I found a chucky Cheese token...or so I thought until I cleaned it some more. It was a 1909 Canadian large cent...cool.
Then nearby I found a 42 merc. I searched the area for a while but didn't find anything else except surface clad and deep nails. Total shot brass was 7pcs for today.

The pattern of shells is in a line of about 80ft. I think I know which side of the line of brass they stood based on the older coins found.
I will continue to hunt the area and in time I will clean much of the junk to hopefully reveal more goodies.
Ive been over this area with other detectors and haven't had such success. What a nice detector the Sovereign GT!

 

[Rick(ND)]

Great to see you are doing good with the Sovereign in some of these areas where you and others have worked hard before, you are seeing the power of the Sovereign and why so many of us like to use our Sovereign. Once you know these well and ever switch detectors chance are you will go back to the Sovereigns again or have one in reserve.
Keep the finds coming.

Good Luck

Rick

 

[Ism]

EP, the green thing is a side car...probably represented an icecream or milk delivery vehicle. I want to find out more about the toy but haven't looked for info yet. I didn't see any makers marks on it. Surprising how intact the paint is after all the time it spent in the earth.

 

[fwcrawford]

Nice finds Ism!!
I also found a Canadian large cent last winter at an old park downtown.. mine was dated 1919 and was in great shape.
I think mine was about 8" deep and the Sovereign had no problem detecting it and gave a very good reading from what I can remember.
Keep up the good finds,
Felix