Smith - Metal Detecting: the Ultimate Beginner#x92 ; s Guide to Uncovering History, Adventure, and Treasure

Copyright 2016 by Mark Smith

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Jane Sheppard

Cover photos by iStockphoto and Julie Smith

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-1174-7

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-1175-4

Printed in China

For Bryan: Rock on, Brother

CONTENTS

The word treasure appears 780 times in this book. This is a constant reminder that treasure is real and there is a lot of it out there waiting for you!

I NTRODUCTION

L ets get something perfectly clear. I am talking crystal clear, like your favorite bottled spring water, seltzer water, or gin. The term metal detecting does not accurately describe this great hobby. Those two words are just too vague, too plain, too simple. They dont have that magical golden luster, that diamond-like sparkle, the ability to make you feel like a little kid again. Those two words are boring and they dont do the hobby justice.

Lets do everyone a favor and erase the term metal detecting from the good old memory banks. I propose we label this hobby with a term that more accurately describes exactly what it is, a term worthy of what I firmly believe to be the single greatest hobby in the known universe. From this point on, I propose we replace the term metal detecting with the term treasure hunting!

That has a much nicer sound to it, doesnt it? The words treasure hunting have a golden, universal appeal. They are filled with excitement, mystery, and adventure. The words treasure hunting have all the magical ingredients of a Hollywood blockbuster movie, but this time you get to play the part of the fabled treasure hunter. You get to seek out adventure, mystery, and treasure of epic proportions. Metal detecting, ahem, I mean treasure hunting , has limitless possibilities.

Your newly found treasure could be a long-lost relic from hundreds or even thousands of years ago. It could be an old coin made from copper, bronze, silver, or gold. It could be a jaw-dropping piece of jewelry packed to the brim with shimmering precious stones that hypnotize even the strongest of wills.

So bright so beautiful ah, my precious!

Your newly found treasure could take on a completely different form. It could be a piece of history from a historical battle where lives were put on the line. Think of who may have held or used this piece of treasure. Think of the places it has been. Think of the lives it has changed. If it could talk, think of the story that it could tell you. For many avid treasure hunters, this is the true appeal to treasure hunting: the history and the stories behind the treasure, but the occasional chunk of gold doesnt seem to be a problem either!

There are people who are winning the treasure hunting lottery every minute of every single day. I have done it more times than I can count and so can you. Are you ready to go claim your share of adventure, history, and mystery? Are you ready to find treasure? All right then, lets dig in!

Warning

Treasure hunting is extremely fun and highly addictive, but there are a few things to watch out for. Do not attempt to search for treasure unless you are 100 percent sure you are allowed to.

Never assume that you are allowed to remove treasure from the earth. Always make sure you fully understand the rules and regulations in the area you are currently hunting. This will save you a lot of trouble, fines, equipment confiscation, and possible jail time.

One more word of warning. Some forms of treasure are often found in very remote, harsh areas. Always let someone know where you will be and when you will be returning. The native inhabitants could harm or even kill you. It is very easy to get into the groove of hunting and not hear or see common predators like rattlesnakes, bears, mountain lions, or the average crazy person. Try to keep your eyes and ears open at all times and always be aware of your surroundings!

T HE O BSESSION B EGINS

I n case you are wondering, yes, that is me in the picture up there, and yes, I am that goofy in real life.

My name is Mark Smith and I am addicted to finding treasure with my metal detector. Wait, addicted might not be the best word to describe my healthy enthusiasm. I think obsession is a much better fit. It only took one gold ring to convince me that there is an entire world of treasure buried right beneath our feet and to think I had been unknowingly walking right on top of it my entire life.

I learned about the modern world of metal detectors purely by accident. It was Christmas morning and I couldnt get out of bed quick enough. I knew there was a different kind of treasure that wasnt buried under layers of dirt, rock, and mud. This treasure was hiding right under my Christmas tree.

It was wrapped in brightly colored paper that sparkled in the early morning light. The wrapping paper had a glimmer that would make any five-year-old childs eyes widen with excitement. This time the five-year-old child wasnt me. It was my son, and one of those gifts under the tree was a metal detector.

My son tore through all of his gifts like a raving lunatic. The sounds of paper being shredded and shrieks of joy filled the air. To say he was happy would be a massive understatement. He was thrilled and full of excitement as his little hands uncovered present after present.

Things came to a screeching halt when he finally unwrapped the little metal detector. He had no idea what he held in his tiny hands. I explained it to him and things still didnt click into place until he saw the authentic treasure map his mom and I made the night before.

Guided by the light of the moon and a cheap flashlight, I had been busy burying coins all over the front yard on Christmas Eve. The authentic treasure map would help him locate all of these hidden pieces of treasure.

The treasure bug quickly worked its way into my sons mind and his little hands fumbled with excitement as he desperately tried to put the batteries in his new metal detector. Finally, the batteries were in and we were both out the front door in a matter of seconds. The neighbors must have thought we were nuts wearing our pajamas, but that didnt bother either one of us. We had treasure to find!