My Metal Detecting Triumph: Unearthing a 1919 Mercury Dime and Silver Trinket

Just the other day, I spent five thrilling hours “dirt fishing” at Fort Greene Park right here in Brooklyn, and boy, did it remind me why I’m hooked on this hobby—even with a couple of slip-ups. Forgetting my gloves? Big mistake! A morning drizzle left me with hands caked in mud, something I’ll definitely avoid next time. But in the midst of the muck, I unearthed some real treasures that got my numismatic gears turning.

What I Dug Up: My Favorite Finds

The star of the show? A gorgeous 1919 Mercury Dime, featuring that timeless winged Liberty design. Then there’s this intricate silver pendant I found—you can almost feel the heartbreak of whoever lost it. Alongside those, I gathered 11 Wheat Cents, which are always a welcome addition to my collection. One cent was in rough shape, so I set it aside; I like to keep damaged coins like that to help new collectors avoid confusing them with mint errors. Sure, I found plenty of modern dimes too, but it’s the silver that really steals the spotlight when you take a closer look.

Gearing Up for the Next Adventure

With a trip to Hunter Island coming up (that’s the peninsula just north of Orchard Beach, where deer roam everywhere), I’m fine-tuning my gear. Here’s what I’m packing: frozen Gatorade to stay hydrated, heavy-duty bug spray with DEET (a must in tick country), sunblock for my pasty skin (though I always forget my ears when I’m wearing headphones), and you bet I won’t forget my gloves this time! Long sleeves and pants are essential to fend off ticks and sunburn. I might even film the whole thing to pass along some tips to other detectorists.

My Approach to Detecting: Why I Dig It All

Ever wonder why nickels are so hard to come by? I might find one or two every five hunts. The thing is, on detectors like my Nokta Legend, nickel signals often look just like pull tabs (hitting around 26-28), so a lot of folks pass them by. But I dig every signal, even the shallow ones, because you just never know. Case in point: once I unearthed a 1779 Half Reale barely two inches down! Running in all-metal mode helps me snag nickels and even gold rings (they can ring up 28-30). My advice? Don’t ignore a signal because it’s shallow or because there’s trash nearby—clearing the junk can uncover some real gems.

Thoughts on Collecting and What I’ve Learned

Take that 1919 Mercury Dime—it’s a common date, but in top condition, it can be quite valuable. When I find one, I always check for wear on Liberty’s wings and cap; that’s where you see the real grade. Silver trinkets, like that pendant, aren’t just pretty—they’re little pieces of history, and if you clean them right, they can do well online. As for damaged coins, I keep them separate to show new collectors what’s not an error. Because let’s face it, metal detecting isn’t just luck. It’s about sticking with it, knowing your machine, and appreciating the story every find tells. Happy hunting, and here’s hoping your next hunt is as good as mine!