You call yourself a metal detector? You think you know your coins? We found a little quiz for you to see if you really know your stuff about coins.
The quiz tests you on the new quarters introduced a few years ago, so if most of your finds consist of modern coins, you should be in good shape. It shows you the back of a quarter, and has two states listed below. All you have to do is click on the correct state for that quarter.
Take the quiz, and let us know how you do. I thought I aced it, but turns out, I was way off. My final score? 55
This is the most random, bizarre metal detecting video I’ve ever seen ……..so of course, I felt the need to share it. If you’re short on time, just pass this one up, but if you’re bored and have a minute and a half to kill, this is perfect. The video is nothing more than a kid’s view on metal detecting.
Note of caution: The video gets very loud for the last 2 seconds - you’ve been warned.
This is one of those stories you hear, and think to yourself, “Why didn’t that happen to me?”
A 16th Century Djurhamn sword was found by a man and his metal detector on August 30th, and now they’ve gathered a team and have managed to excavate it. The sword was found around the Harbour of the Sheaf Kings. It was buried in heavy vegetation, and the point of the blade was wedged between the roots of a large hazel bush.
Nils Drejholt of the Royal Armoury tells me that it’s an early-16th century weapon, unusually designed but similar in details to the so-called rikssvärden, “swords of the realm”, ceremonial weapons commissioned by King Gustaf I.
From what I can tell, they will be bring the sword to a conservator. For the full story, and additional photos, continue reading Djurhamn Sword Excavated.
Seeing this amazing find made us wonder what big items our readers have discovered. We’d love to hear about your biggest find - tell us about it in the comments.
Have you ever thought about the early days of metal detecting? We were curious, so we checked Google Patent Search for the very first patent ever filed for a metal detector. Surprisingly, the patent we found didn’t look much different than the metal detectors of present day.
The patent for the Electrical Metal-Detector was filed, get this, January 29, 1889, by Jesse F. Kester of Terre Haute, Indiana. Jesse describes his invention as a “metal-finder for detecting the presence of metal - such as gold, silver, copper - which can be used either for exploring the bottom of streams or for searching the earth, either at the surface or several feet below the same.”
Something I found really interesting is that, on line 85 of the patent, they claim the devices, when used in very deep waters, can be grouped and suitably connected. Sounds like they could attach a bunch of these together for some sort of super metal detector.
There’s a new product out claiming to cure you back pain ailments in just 20 minutes a day. The Turtleâ„¢ (aka USA Turtle), looks like a lumbar pillow straight out of the future.
From their site:
The incredible new Turtle is unlike anything you have ever seen or heard of before, and if you have back pain of any kind and want relief fast then you need to get the Turtle today. Designed to be versatile and effective, the Turtle scientifically targets your back pain like no other product in history. No matter what your age or your activity if you experience any form of back pain the Turtle can help you. This is perfect for weekend warriors and for serious athletes and best of all you will feel positive results in 20 minutes or less guaranteed. That’s right, if you are not completely satisfied simply return the Turtle for a 100% Money-Back Guarantee.
I have never used this product, so I can’t verify the claims, but if you’ve been experiencing back pain after a day of metal detecting, this might be the perfect solution for you. I am in no way affiliated with this company or its products, but after hearing an advertisement for it today on the Howard Stern show, I thought I would check it out. It looks a lot better than the cheap pillow I use when I’m working on this blog. At $120, it seems like it might be worth trying, plus I think they have a money-back guarantee.
If you’ve used the Turtle back pillow before, let us know. I’d be very interested in seeing if it actually works, as would a few other readers, I’m sure.
This doesn’t have much to do with metal detecting, but I think it’s safe to say most MD’ers have an adventurous spirit. Web Urbanist has a post today showing what they call the 7 Underground Wonders of the World. The list is truly amazing, with hidden catacombs, underground churches, and even tunnels under Disney World (Magic Kingdom).
Moscow, Russia
Orlando, FL (Disney World)
Take a few minutes and visit the site to read all about the 7 locations and the mysteries behind them. If you’ve been to any of these, let us know your thoughts.
Chances are, if you’re reading this blog (thank you), you’re a fan of metal detecting and treasure hunting, which in turn means you were probably a fan of the movie National Treasure, starring Nicolas Cage. Well, he’s back. National Treasure 2 is due out in December, but if you can’t wait that long, you can just keep watching the trailer in repeat until the movie comes out.
Are you looking forward to seeing this movie? I’m not sure I remember the original setting anything up for a sequel, but I’m still excited. We’ll have a full review of the movie after it’s released.
Been hoping to stumble across something new while out treasure hunting? Come 2009, you might be lucky enough to find a new Lincoln Penny. The Associated Press just released an artist’s renderings provided by the U.S. Mint showing four of the designs under consideration to replace the “tails” side of our beloved penny. The change (no pun intended) to the coin is in observance of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, and the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Lincoln penny. The US Mint will be introducing four rotating designs depicting different aspects of Lincoln’s life. No changes will be made to the “head” side of the penny.
Are you getting tired of all the new designs being introduced by the US Mint? The quarters had a big face lift, followed by the nickel, and now we’re seeing it happen to the penny. Wasn’t there just a bill sent to congress to remove the penny from circulation? I think it’s safe to say, the penny’s going to be around for plenty of years to come.
I was reading a post by Carl Schroeder from Kalalau’s Korner about risks with cochlear implant. He starts the post with a metal detecting story that I thought was very interesting, and I’d never heard it.
The story goes, President James Abram Garfield was shot in 1881 at the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Depot. Three weeks later, Alexander Graham Bell was summoned to the White House. Apparently, Bell had a new invention that was similar to a modern day mine detector. He was called to probe the wound with it to find the bullet, but was unsuccessful in his attempts. It turns out, Bell was placing his detector in the wrong location. The bullet had entered the right side of the spine, but it traveled downward, and to the left. The bullet ended up having a cyst grow around it, making it harmless, but due to the repeated surgeries with unsterilized tools, Garfield suffered infection, blood poisoning, and pneumonia causing his eventual death.
I’m not so sure this is really Bell’s fault. Useless Information has more details in you’re still on the fence about this event.
We’ve mentioned geocaching on this site before, but Parks Canada is doing its part to help spread the word about this exciting activity.
Parks Canada has opened, and encouraging the use of, all of the national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas that they manage. New guidelines have been developed that will encourage wide and meaningful participation in this activity, which you can view here: Guidelines to encourage geocaching
It seems Parks Canada is asking the caches to be interesting stories about a favorite park area, hoping it will spread the enthusiasm for the parks and geocaching.
The patent for the Electrical Metal-Detector was filed, get this, January 29, 1889, by Jesse F. Kester of Terre Haute, Indiana. Jesse describes his invention as a “metal-finder for detecting the presence of metal - such as gold, silver, copper - which can be used either for exploring the bottom of streams or for searching the earth, either at the surface or several feet below the same.”
There’s a new product out claiming to cure you back pain ailments in just 20 minutes a day. 
Been hoping to stumble across something new while out treasure hunting? Come 2009, you might be lucky enough to find a new Lincoln Penny. The 
I was reading a post by Carl Schroeder from 
We’ve mentioned 
Subscribe By Feed Reader
Subscribe By Email
Add to Technorati
Recent Comments