The first thing I want to tell you about treasure hunting is that I find lots of junk! I have not made enough to retire so I keep selling houses and land as my primary profession. I have found my detector useful in locating survey markers. My collection of pull-tabs and bottle caps is impressive. I have found tools, knives, and coins including silver quarters. A spent mortar shell in Europe and lots of war related items such as buttons, bullets and such.

            When searching people’s yards, I look for places where people are thought or known to have sat in lawn chairs or played. I have found jewelry but nothing of great value but someday, someday I might! It is the thrill of the hunt I value so much. I get outside, meet nice people and sometimes fascinate kids that have never seen a metal detector in operation.

            Recently, while making a spectacle of myself searching around bus stops in San Antonio, I found transportation token dated 1919. The find was more unusual when I found that it was for United Railways of Saint Louis, MO!

            I have also found a few park rangers and police officers that wanted to make sure I was not digging my way to China and planning to leave holes in the park. A golden rule is to take out the junk and to never mar the landscape. Most items are within a few inches of the surface. I make careful cuts in grass so that I create a flap that can be replaced when done. Would you like to search your yard? The older the home the better it gets!