Jac's thread got me thinking about the first few weeks of my detecting career when it seemed like the only thing in the ground was cents and pull tabs. My first best find worth bragging about came several weeks after I started detecting. It wasn't a silver coin but a silver ring, along the side a school. I also found my first wheat backs that day. That was back in '03 around this time of year. What a thrill it was to find that ring. Today I have a pretty good little collection of silver and even a few gold rings. And a few silver coins too. Took a long, long time to find that first silver coin though.
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Remember that "First Best Find" of yours?
- Thread starter Dang
- Start date
ever since.Mick in Dubbo
New member
Yeah. It's good to remember. Helps to keep some empathy for newbies. It took six hours of hunting, before I found my first coin. A 5 cent piece. I was more relieved than excited, because I was starting the question my sanity at taking up such a hobby. It took a couple more hours of hunting before I had found my second coin. After that, it got easier.
Got the opportunity to share the hobby with a workmate and his girlfriend a few months back. They bought the ACE250.That was time I'd laid eyes on the Ace. It was so easy to show them how to use it. I made sure that we were hunting on productive ground though and they had success within minutes! It sure was rewarding seeing them enjoying the hobby from the outset.
Mick Evans.
Got the opportunity to share the hobby with a workmate and his girlfriend a few months back. They bought the ACE250.That was time I'd laid eyes on the Ace. It was so easy to show them how to use it. I made sure that we were hunting on productive ground though and they had success within minutes! It sure was rewarding seeing them enjoying the hobby from the outset.
Mick Evans.
...I had studied the magazines for months (no internet in those days). I called several dealers and asked plenty of questions (no dealers around here). I read the magazines some more and practically wore out Tesoro's catalog and MDI (I didnt know any detectorists around here, either - I was on my own).
Finally the big day arrived and the money was in hand. I had decided that a Tesoro Silver Sabre II was just the ticket for my budget, so I sent off my hard earned cash-ola to Chuck Clevenger of Clevenger's Detector Sales. He was the one dealer I could relate to and he got the nod. Still does, in case you are interested.
I waited and waited and called Chuck everyday - his patience was as good as Job's. Thanks, Chuck.
Finally, big day number two came around. Mr. UPS showed up in his big brown truck, toting a new detector for yours truly. To heck with Christmas, old friend, this was THE DAY! I lovingly unpacked that box, eyeing the smooth brown monolithic plastic and golden rods within - and I aint talking flowers, here.
Carefully I clipped in a couple of 9V's and by the very god's themselves, the thing actually worked! I danced a jig right there ( I was younger, too, in those days) and like every newbie since Gerhard Fisher, out the door I flew! Instructions? Who needs 'em...hadn't I read every back issue of MDI I could get my hands on? I knew this instrument like the back of my hand.
Now, where to go?? This is one question I hadnt answered - where would I take it for it's maiden voyage?? So again , like every newbie, I started driving around! Then it hit me: head downtown, Nimrod. After all,this is an old town and thats the oldest of the old, right?
As I drove down one of the side streets, head craning this way and that for a patch of dirt to scan, I spotted an old pocket park. It had a neat little pond, now dried up, with an island in the middle and the decision was made - come flood or fire, tha would be my hallowed ground.
I searched around the edges of the pond at first, and dont recall that I found anything but nuttin. So, I moved over the 8 feet of cement bridge to the island itself.
No sooner had I reached the bare dirt of the middle ground, than I got a signal. Smooth toned in one direction and choppy in the other. Well, friend I hadnt read all those pages of lore and learning for the mere exercise - I knew that when you got a signal like that you should dig. And dig I did. My new Wilcox 102 flashed in the Southern sun as I scooped and jabbed at that sweet smelling earth, my first recovery on the road to thousands. Then, as I scanned the spot again the signal stopped being in the hole. Huh? What gives.
I double checked and, sure enough, it had gone. Even my dimly firing synapses could figure out that if it wasnt in the hole, then it must be OUT of it! I feverishly scanned the dirt pile I'd made and, lo and behold Elvira, the detector went WHOOP! WHOOP! Sweet Mother of Creation, this was really happening - I almost pinched myself! Like a leprechaun after his gold, I scattered dirt in a frenzy and out of nowhere a shiny, silvery disc came loose and slid slowly down the little pile of soil. It made it to the bottom, gave a little wobble and settled, winking up at me... calling me to pick it up.
With shaking hands and a now forgotten detector at my side, I reached down and carefuly lifted it from the dirt. I caressed it gently, my first ever found silver coin. I flipped it over several times and then it dawned on me what it was. 1936 was the date. The figure on the obverse had a feminine profile with wings on her forehead. Yessir, not only was it my first silver coin, but it was my FIRST ever recovery with a detector. And it was a Mercury Dime!! Time for jig number two, that day, and I gave in to the urge, dancing and shouting to the trees.
By the time I gained my composure and the neighborhood dogs had calmed down, I recalled that I hadnt really gotten a clean signal on this. It wasnt deep, so it should have sounded better than that. Shouldnt it have? Then I looked down again at the pile of dirt and saw the culprit, poking from the dirt and pointing at the sky... a rusty 10-penny nail! The dime had been lying next to it in the soil and that's what the old SSII was telling me. Good one way, broken the other. I have since found NOTHING ELSE at that little park and can only assume that others had missed my dime because of that old nail.
I rushed home and did the only thing I could think of to do next - I called Tesoro! Heidi came on the phone and after hearing my jabbering, said, "Hold on a sec, hon, there's someone here I think would like to talk to you," and transferred my call. After a moment of silence, a man picked up and said, "Hi, this is Jack. Can I help you?" It was none other than Jack Gifford himself, founder of Tesoro Electronics. He happily shared in my excitement, bless his heart, and we spoke for a few minutes. It was probably a nice change from all the complaints, chit-chat and "dumb question" calls he normally received.
So that's the story of my First Best Find. I was sure then that I had made a good choice in choosing Tesoro and I remain sure of that to this day. The old Silver Sabre II is gone, pawned off by my ex-wife. But, I have newer ones now - a Vaquero and a Golden uMax. Other detectors, too, have come and gone. Yet, no matter which detector I'm swinging today, I always remember that first silver coin, little Lady Liberty with her Winged Head and Phrygian Cap. I still take her out, now and then, looking fondly at her and the nail she had lain so long beside (I kept them both)...1936 was a good year indeed.
Finally the big day arrived and the money was in hand. I had decided that a Tesoro Silver Sabre II was just the ticket for my budget, so I sent off my hard earned cash-ola to Chuck Clevenger of Clevenger's Detector Sales. He was the one dealer I could relate to and he got the nod. Still does, in case you are interested.
I waited and waited and called Chuck everyday - his patience was as good as Job's. Thanks, Chuck.
Finally, big day number two came around. Mr. UPS showed up in his big brown truck, toting a new detector for yours truly. To heck with Christmas, old friend, this was THE DAY! I lovingly unpacked that box, eyeing the smooth brown monolithic plastic and golden rods within - and I aint talking flowers, here.
Carefully I clipped in a couple of 9V's and by the very god's themselves, the thing actually worked! I danced a jig right there ( I was younger, too, in those days) and like every newbie since Gerhard Fisher, out the door I flew! Instructions? Who needs 'em...hadn't I read every back issue of MDI I could get my hands on? I knew this instrument like the back of my hand.
Now, where to go?? This is one question I hadnt answered - where would I take it for it's maiden voyage?? So again , like every newbie, I started driving around! Then it hit me: head downtown, Nimrod. After all,this is an old town and thats the oldest of the old, right?
As I drove down one of the side streets, head craning this way and that for a patch of dirt to scan, I spotted an old pocket park. It had a neat little pond, now dried up, with an island in the middle and the decision was made - come flood or fire, tha would be my hallowed ground.
I searched around the edges of the pond at first, and dont recall that I found anything but nuttin. So, I moved over the 8 feet of cement bridge to the island itself.
No sooner had I reached the bare dirt of the middle ground, than I got a signal. Smooth toned in one direction and choppy in the other. Well, friend I hadnt read all those pages of lore and learning for the mere exercise - I knew that when you got a signal like that you should dig. And dig I did. My new Wilcox 102 flashed in the Southern sun as I scooped and jabbed at that sweet smelling earth, my first recovery on the road to thousands. Then, as I scanned the spot again the signal stopped being in the hole. Huh? What gives.
I double checked and, sure enough, it had gone. Even my dimly firing synapses could figure out that if it wasnt in the hole, then it must be OUT of it! I feverishly scanned the dirt pile I'd made and, lo and behold Elvira, the detector went WHOOP! WHOOP! Sweet Mother of Creation, this was really happening - I almost pinched myself! Like a leprechaun after his gold, I scattered dirt in a frenzy and out of nowhere a shiny, silvery disc came loose and slid slowly down the little pile of soil. It made it to the bottom, gave a little wobble and settled, winking up at me... calling me to pick it up.
With shaking hands and a now forgotten detector at my side, I reached down and carefuly lifted it from the dirt. I caressed it gently, my first ever found silver coin. I flipped it over several times and then it dawned on me what it was. 1936 was the date. The figure on the obverse had a feminine profile with wings on her forehead. Yessir, not only was it my first silver coin, but it was my FIRST ever recovery with a detector. And it was a Mercury Dime!! Time for jig number two, that day, and I gave in to the urge, dancing and shouting to the trees.
By the time I gained my composure and the neighborhood dogs had calmed down, I recalled that I hadnt really gotten a clean signal on this. It wasnt deep, so it should have sounded better than that. Shouldnt it have? Then I looked down again at the pile of dirt and saw the culprit, poking from the dirt and pointing at the sky... a rusty 10-penny nail! The dime had been lying next to it in the soil and that's what the old SSII was telling me. Good one way, broken the other. I have since found NOTHING ELSE at that little park and can only assume that others had missed my dime because of that old nail.
I rushed home and did the only thing I could think of to do next - I called Tesoro! Heidi came on the phone and after hearing my jabbering, said, "Hold on a sec, hon, there's someone here I think would like to talk to you," and transferred my call. After a moment of silence, a man picked up and said, "Hi, this is Jack. Can I help you?" It was none other than Jack Gifford himself, founder of Tesoro Electronics. He happily shared in my excitement, bless his heart, and we spoke for a few minutes. It was probably a nice change from all the complaints, chit-chat and "dumb question" calls he normally received.
So that's the story of my First Best Find. I was sure then that I had made a good choice in choosing Tesoro and I remain sure of that to this day. The old Silver Sabre II is gone, pawned off by my ex-wife. But, I have newer ones now - a Vaquero and a Golden uMax. Other detectors, too, have come and gone. Yet, no matter which detector I'm swinging today, I always remember that first silver coin, little Lady Liberty with her Winged Head and Phrygian Cap. I still take her out, now and then, looking fondly at her and the nail she had lain so long beside (I kept them both)...1936 was a good year indeed.
jackinaustin
New member
Great story. I wish more of us could get with new detectorists and help get them started on the right track. That was a very nice thing you did for them. HH
Mick in Dubbo
New member
n/t
Uncle Willy
New member
Yeah a SS was one of my first machines only it was a private label from Kellyco and was blue and had a different name. I suspected it was a Tesoro so I called Jack and he said it was. I have owned TEsoros almost since Jack opened his doors for business in Glendale, Arizona some 25 years ago.
Bill
Bill
Aussie Chris
New member
G'Day all. My first find was a 7 dwt (10.5 g) piece of gold back in 1981 with my brand spanking new Garrett Deepseeker. Spent a week wandering around until a pro showed me how to use the thing. Never looked back after that.
[attachment 41765 cld054.jpg]
When I bought my Ace 250 last year, I was at it for 5 minutes when I had a 1951 Australian florin (silver coin about as big as a yanky half dollar). Very first coin with that machine.
Chris.
[attachment 41765 cld054.jpg]
When I bought my Ace 250 last year, I was at it for 5 minutes when I had a 1951 Australian florin (silver coin about as big as a yanky half dollar). Very first coin with that machine.
Chris.
Uncle Willy
New member
Nice looking hunk of yellow Chris. How much have you found over the years? Did you happen to know the guy who found the "Hand of Faith"? I think Australia is just one big ore specimen. 
Thanks for posting. Do you do any articles in the Gold Gem & Treasure mag on your gold finds?
Bill
Thanks for posting. Do you do any articles in the Gold Gem & Treasure mag on your gold finds?Bill
Aussie Chris
New member
Bill, how's it going bloke ? I have found a lot of gold over the years. Lost count. I nave only been keeping records these last 4 years. 14 ounces 5 dwt (447 g) in the last 4 years. Yes I know the bloke who found the hand of faith. I have seen the actual real nugget !
I had an article published in the Oct issue about the Ace 250. I think another in Jan about the 250 as well. I am working on an article about my gold detecting history. Hope it gets published.
Chris.
I had an article published in the Oct issue about the Ace 250. I think another in Jan about the 250 as well. I am working on an article about my gold detecting history. Hope it gets published.
Chris.
Uncle Willy
New member
Yeah I read your piece in the October issue. Good Read. I'd like to see your article on your gold hunting adventures. Good luck bud.
Bill
Bill