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

I spent a thrilling five hours swinging my detector at Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, NYC. That drizzly morning left my hands caked in mud – forgot my gloves again, a rookie mistake I swear I’ll fix next time! But oh, was it worth it: I uncovered a gorgeous 1919 Mercury Dime plus another silver pendant for my collection.

What Popped Out of the Ground

Check out these eleven Wheat Cents, shown with the dime for size comparison. See that mangled cent? I always keep damaged ones like this. It’s my teaching tool for new collectors – helps them spot the difference between real wear and mint errors. Here’s what made my heart race:

• 1919 Mercury Dime: That classic winged Liberty design gets me every time. Still 90% silver after all these years! Common date, sure, but finding one never gets old.
• Silver Pendant: Delicate and intricate, you can almost feel the original owner’s panic when it slipped off. Pieces like this remind me we’re rescuing lost stories.
• Wheat Cents: Early 1900s workhorses that most folks overlook. I love imagining the pockets they jingled in.
• Damaged Cent: Pure environmental damage – a great example of what not to mistake for an error coin. Handy reference for beginners.

Next Stop: Hunter Island

With July 4th free, I’m hitting Hunter Island near Orchard Beach – local legend says it’s paved with silver! Prepping like a pro this time: frozen Gatorade to beat the heat, industrial-strength tick spray (those deer carry Lyme disease), and sunscreen slathered everywhere except under my headphones. Oh, and gloves! Long sleeves and pants are non-negotiable in tick country.

Field Notes From the Trenches

Ever wonder why nickels play hard-to-get? I might find one or two every five hunts. On my NOKTA Legend, they ping around 26-28 – same as pull tabs. Silver war nickels hit 30-32, but I dig every signal. Why? Last year I nearly skipped a shallow beep and almost missed a 1779 Half Reale less than two inches down! My hard-won rules:

• Dig Everything: Shallow signals can hide treasures. Saw club members walk past good targets too many times.
• Try All-Metal Mode: Catches tricky nickels and big gold rings with similar readings. At beaches, I clean up trash this way and sometimes score big.
• Handle Silver With Care: Mercury dimes like this 1919 carry both history and melt value. Fingerprints can hurt the grade.

Until Next Dig

This hobby? It’s time travel with dirt under your nails. I’m practically buzzing about Hunter Island – might even film the adventure. Stay safe out there, dig those iffy signals, and happy hunting to all my fellow dirt fishers!