New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

Last nights hunt was an interesting evening at a new spot I've been meaning to check out for a while.
My B in law was down for the night and I managed to encourage him to come out for a look....... And what a perfect chance to get my F4 and Pro pointer back from loan :)

No location shots this time around.... Much to busy trying to instill correct digging techniques etc.
Basically very interesting comparing the two machines on the same targets..... I was quite suprised how often the F4 struggled to identify or even failed to pick up some targets at all, where the Excal rang out a clean repeatable signal.
Similar experience with the Garret Pro Pointer vs the Deteknix diver. (Points going to the Garret this time although some falsing by applying pressure to the tip)

Anyway the results ......














An enjoyable night out and a few odd ball finds which I always love. The ring is a homemade brass work of art carved from a peice of tube.

HH Iggy

Nice group of finds mate. Those tramway tokens are super cool.

The last three hunts produced some cool keepers......

First outing I went looking near by to previous mission



Found a fully intact condom tin (pretty worn out) but it's usually lids only in the past for me. A few more of those white jars (anyone know anything about them?) and a cool little porcelain piece







The tiny shoe was a surprise when I got home and cleaned things up, I just thought it was a piece of rubbish.





HUNT TWO......
A bit of google map research on the couch one night directed me to explore a new spot which didn't disappoint.



The hunt started off a bit slow and the usual junk.... Then boom 1872 gothic florin :)



With moral now at high levels onwards. Not sure about this next one, no holes in it and definitely not a fishing spot. Musket ball mmmm don't know, it looks like it's been poured in two halves.
An interesting live round also appeared.





Continue we must. A few more silvers, an odd ball engraving on piece of old fork, couple of pocket knives.





I'm semi sure I unearthed an old super worn 34mm penny (based on next hunts research) [although just found out it could be an early trade token as some of them were same size]and then out of nowhere BOOM







Once again the night lights were misleading, but it sure did look like the real deal.
1934 Catholic medallion, plated silver by the looks but pretty cool.





Rounded out the night with a trade token :)





HUNT THREE
Struggled big time for what seemed like an hour with nothing but can slaw, foil and pull tabs and then bingo...... That magical sound of 'probably a coin' YES a 2 cent piece. She was pretty tough going but I did manage to score an old Britt Penny.



And a few other random bits and bobs







Until next time HH Iggy

Edited by user Sunday, 12 June 2016 8:01:55 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Typo

great score with the viki florin one of the best coins minted .the token looks in good nik carefull when you clean it use olive oil that looks a good un.

Make sure you use bog standard olive oil not virgin or extra virgin. The later squeeze's of the press contains the most acid & will cut cleaning time.

Ive had things soaking for ages Iggy, they never come out perfect but do show signs of improvment.

Edited by user Monday, 13 June 2016 8:44:35 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Lol I'm hearing ya, there's nothing better than a home built one of a kind sinker :)
Mmm might have a spare display case just for them.
HH Iggy

It's been awhile since the coil had tasted sand.
Low tide was expected at 8pm..... It was 6pm and temperature was dropping big time.......but if I was going then it was time to move and fast.

I arrived at the grounds at 7pm (would have been better if it was an hour or so earlier).



Still there was lots of mud flats to explore and the night was young.
I pretty much had the place to myself except for one slightly mad fisherman, who I'm sure thought the same about myself.

Lots of targets for sure to be had, pretty happy to get a minter 1896 Penny lurking in the grass.
The usual as expected sinkers and misc items. The bitterly cold night finally got the better of me and with the finds bag overflowing (I lost a second fork out the top......I've got lots in the cutlery draw at home so not all bad) it was time to pull the pin and head for home.









A good time was had, I got onto a wee patch, inside bend of river with lots of rocks/stones embedded with a heap of targets.........this spot kept me entertained for some time and I was hoping for some serious greatness to emerge into the beam of my headlamp but not to be.

HH Iggy

Yes the pre 1900's can be tricky. I'm not sure about that ring or even if it is a ring? It's well worn, super thin with razor sharp edges, looks steel (ish) and I'm not sure if it would liked to be cleaned.
I guess a gentle rub on the meatiest part with the Dremel wouldn't hurt.

HH Iggy