September 2014

South Carolina Treasure and Artifact Association - September Minutes          September 23, 2014

The SCTAA met on September 22, 2014 with 30 in attendance.

We had an interesting program as several members shared stories about their best find ever.

Important Dates:   SCTAA Fall Hunt at Lake Lure-October 11, 2014

Twenty-four members have signed up for the hunt which will take place rain or shine.

August treasury ended with a balance of $ 1,466.19.  We collected: money donations for points/raffle - $ 87; donation can - $ 14;  sale of decals - $ 3; fall hunt fees - $ 330; 2014 memberships - $ 0; 2015 memberships - $ 0.  The closing balance is $ 1,900.19.

BEST FINDS CONTEST WINNERS - SEPTEMBER

(We usually have a number of ties.  The first name listed is the coin prize winner, but everyone gets the points who placed in the ties.)

COIN- 1st/2nd (TIE) - Maggie Moffat, Barry Fletcher;  3rd (TIE) - Bill Guthke, Greg Modzel

JEWELRY - 1st  - Greg Modzel;   2nd - Barry Fletcher;  3rd - Kenny Brackett

                                              

WHAT IS IT?- 1st/2nd/3rd (TIE) - Eben Fletcher, Barry Fletcher, Tim Blackwell

MILITARY - 1st - Carter Mahaffee; 2nd - Eben Fletcher;  3rd - Robert Weaver

                      

OTHER -  1st - Maggie Moffat;  2nd - Kenny Brackett;  3rd (TIE) - Eben Fletcher, Darrell                                                                            Mullinax, Carter Mahaffee, Robert Weaver

                             

# OF COINS - 1st - Maggie Moffat (430); 2nd - Bill Guthke (295);  3rd - Allen Sheriff (186) 

Rebecca Reece, Secretary

August 2014

South Carolina Treasure and Artifact Association - August Minutes                     August 26, 2014

The SCTAA met on August 25, 2014 with 39 in attendance including visitors:  Rick Shulde from Florida, Alton Williams and Dale Anderson.

Robert Weaver conducted the program.  He brought metal objects which members used to test their metal detectors for identification. That went well.

Important Dates:   Blue Ridge Club fall hunt (open to our club @ $75)  -  September 20, 2014

                              SCTAA Fall Hunt at Lake Lure-October 11, 2014 (Hunt fee for members $30)

July treasury ended with a balance of $ 1,061.19.  We collected: money donations for points/raffle - $ 72; donation can - $ 13;  sale of decals - $ 0; fall hunt fees - $ 270; 2014 memberships - $ 25; 2015 memberships - $ 25.  The closing balance is $ 1,466.19.

BEST FINDS CONTEST WINNERS - AUGUST

(We usually have a number of ties.  The first name listed is the coin prize winner, but everyone gets the points who placed in the ties.)

COIN- 1st - Jerry Dowis;  2nd/3rd (TIE) - Doug Gillette, Eben Fletcher, Bill Rylands

JEWELRY - 1st  - Jake Phillips;   2nd - Maggie Moffat;  3rd - Carter Mahaffee

                                              

WHAT IS IT?- 1st - Robert Weaver;  2nd - Tim Blackwell;  3rd - Maggie Moffat

MILITARY - 1st - Doug Gillette; 2nd - Eben Fletcher;  3rd - Roy Evans

                      

OTHER -  1st/2nd (TIE) - Doug Gillette, Darrell Mullinax;  3rd - Roy Evans

                             

# OF COINS - 1st - Bill Rylands (367); 2nd - Maggie Moffat (332);  3rd - Roy Evans (305) 

Rebecca Reece, Secretary

SCTAA June Minutes 2014

The SCTAA met on June 23, 2014 with 38 in attendance including our guest speakers:  the owners of Tryon Gold & Coin - George, Jason (Greene) and Richard.

Jason, Richard and George shared information about how to clean coins and shared educational information related to coins.  Kenny reported that another group hunt took place at the Tryon Steeplechase grounds last Saturday, June 21.  

Important Dates:   Myrtle Beach Trip led by Randy R. - Aug. 9-16, 2014 (Come for all or part)

                              Blue Ridge Club fall hunt (open to our club @ $75)  -  September 20, 2014

                              SCTAA Fall Hunt at Lake Lure-October 11, 2014 (Hunt fee for members $30)

May treasury ended with a balance of $728.31.  We collected: 2014 club memberships - $25; money donations for points/raffle - $119; donation can - $16.50;  sale of decals - $1.50; fall hunt fees - $30.  The closing balance is $ 920.31.

BEST FINDS CONTEST WINNERS - JUNE

(We usually have a number of ties.  The first name listed is the coin prize winner, but everyone gets the points who placed in the ties.)

COIN - 1st - Darrell Mullinax;  2nd/3rd (TIE) - Terry Barcelona, Bill Rylands, Bretton Fletcher,

                                                                              Colin Fowler

JEWELRY - 1st  -  Maggie Moffat;   2nd/3rd - Barry Fletcher, Terry Barcelona

                                              

WHAT IS IT?- 1st - Tim Blackwell;  2nd - Carter Mahaffee;  3rd - (TIE) - Darius Windham,

                                                                                              Dena Lee, Russ Lee, Darrell Mullinax

MILITARY - 1st - Darrell Mullinax; 2nd - Eben Fletcher; 3rd - Robert Weaver

                      

OTHER -  1st - Darrell Mullinax; 2nd - Barry Fletcher; 3rd (TIE) - Russ Lee, Eben Fletcher

                             

# OF COINS - 1st - Maggie Moffat (463); 2nd - Bill Guthke (300);  3rd - Bill Rylands (275) 

Rebecca Reece, Secretary

SCTAA May Minutes 2014

The SCTAA met on May 19, 2014 with 24 in attendance including one new member, Cale Smith and one visitor, Steve Horkovy.

Kenny shared about the group hunt at the Tryon Steeplechase grounds.  Seven members were able to participate and everyone found something.  There will be more opportunities to hunt soon.  We’ll get an e-mail out when another date is set.  Other members brought in their best finds to display in a “show and tell” program.  Robert Weaver presented his method of making sifter baskets for beach hunting with some baskets for sale and one donated as a raffle item.

Important Dates:   Myrtle Beach Trip led by Randy R. - June 7 - 14, 2014 (Come for all or part)

                              Blue Ridge Club fall hunt (open to our club @ $75)  -  September 20, 2014

                              SCTAA Fall Hunt at Lake Lure-October 11, 2014 (Hunt fee for members $30)

April treasury ended with a balance of $561.31.  We collected: 2014 club memberships - $75; money donations for points/raffle - $78; donation can - $10;  sale of decals - $5.  The closing balance is $729.31.  One dollar (2 Kennedy halves) was placed back in the birthday coin fund bringing the actual amended balance to $728.31.

BEST FINDS CONTEST WINNERS - MAY

(We usually have a number of ties.  The first name listed is the coin prize winner, but everyone gets the points who placed in the ties.)

COIN - 1st - Eben Fletcher;  2nd  - Dave Mapstone;  3rd (TIE) - Bill Guthke, Terry Barcelona

JEWELRY - 1st  -  Jimmy Cochran;   2nd - Terry Barcelona;  3rd - Barry Fletcher

                                              

WHAT IS IT?- 1st/2nd - Maggie Moffat, Eben Fletcher;  3rd- (TIE) - Kenny Brackett, Darrell                                                                                                                                  Mullinax

MILITARY - 1st - Eben Fletcher; 2nd - Robert Weaver; 3rd - Carter Mahaffee

                      

OTHER -  1st- Dave Mapstone; 2nd /3rd (TIE) - Bill Guthke, Terry Barcelona, Tim Blackwell

                             

# OF COINS - 1st - Bill Guthke (350); 2nd - Maggie Moffat (290);  3rd - Terry Barcelona (187) 

Rebecca Reece, Secretary

April 2014

The SCTAA met on April 28, 2014 with 34 in attendance including Linda List, writer of “Landrum Wanderings” newspaper column.  Anyone who has a good metal detecting story is encouraged to contact her and share your tale.

Kenny shared about his recent trip to Edisto Beach, SC.  He and his wife detected for a number of hours and found tokens, a ring, an unfired bullet from the 1890’s, and numerous foreign coins from the 40’s and 50’s from about twelve different countries.  Kenny also is working on a date when we can do a group hunt at the Tryon Steeplechase grounds.  We’ll get an e-mail out when final permission is granted.

Important Dates:   Change for May meeting due to Memorial Day holiday - May 19, 2014 

                              Blue Ridge Club trip to Myrtle Beach (open to our club)  -  May 16-18, 2014

                              Myrtle Beach Trip led by Randy R. - June 7 - 14, 2014 (Come for all or part)

                              Blue Ridge Club fall hunt (open to our club @ $75)  -  September 20, 2014

                              SCTAA Fall Hunt at Lake Lure  -  October 11, 2014

March treasury ended with a balance of $764.71.  We collected: Money Donations for Points/Raffle - $89; donation can - $9;  Sale of Decals - $9.  We paid for coin prizes to finish out the year - $310.40.  The amended closing balance is $561.31. 

BEST FINDS CONTEST WINNERS - APRIL

(We usually have a number of ties.  The first name listed is the coin prize winner, but everyone gets the points who placed in the ties.)

COIN - 1st /2nd (TIE) - Bill Guthke, Barry Fletcher;  3rd (TIE) - Everette Smith                                                                                      

JEWELRY - 1st  -  Bretton Fletcher;  2nd/3rd (TIE) -  Paul Brown, Allen Sheriff,                                                                                                    Terry Barcelona, Darrell Mullinax, Everette Smith

                                              

WHAT IS IT?- 1st - Paul Brown;  2nd - Jacob Phillips;  3rd- (TIE) - Dave Mapstone,

                                                                                                              Everette Smith

MILITARY - 1st/2nd/3rd (TIE)- Dave Mapstone, Paul Brown, Barry Fletcher

                      

OTHER -  1st/2nd/3rd (TIE) - Robert Weaver, Kenny Brackett, Dave Mapstone

                             

# OF COINS - 1st - Bill Rylands (857); 2nd - Maggie Moffat (459);  3rd - Bill Guthke (410) 

What’s Under Your Property? Find Out With a Metal Detector

For most people, the property your home or business is on was likely owned by someone else before you bought it. Whether you know the full history of the land or not, many property owners would really like to know what’s underneath their property that they can’t see. With the increased availability of metal detectors, now you can find out exactly what’s below your home or business.

While many people are interested in searching their property with a metal detector for curiosity’s sake, there’s actually a good reason to learn more about what lies beneath the surrounding grounds. Not that long ago there were minimal, if any, regulations about what could be buried underground. In some locations for example, oil tanks or septic tanks could just be a metal barrel buried in the ground. As you might imagine, this would be something you’d want to remove from your property but, you may not even know it’s there without first working the area with a metal detector.

In addition, by searching your property with a metal detector you may be able to unearth historical targets, antiques, and/or relics that would otherwise have been left for the elements to further destroy.  You may find valuable treasures under there as well.  After all the trash piles of years gone by are full of items that are now considered by many to be “priceless antiques”.  And, as mentioned above, there were no regulations on what you could bury.  So, often, families kept dump piles in the backyard where you now might find antique glass bottles with your metal detector, metal toys, old oil cans, and other antique collectibles like these.

The best metal detector to use when searching your property is a machine with deep-seeking capabilities so you can search as far down into the ground as possible.  You’ll also want to look for a metal detector that features a manual ground balance control so you can search successfully no matter what type of soil mineralization is present.  From there you’ll need to consider features like visual and/or audio target identification, the weight of the machine, ease of use (many models come with “set and go” controls), and, your personal price point.

Once you’ve got your metal detector, you’re ready to head out onto your property to see what lies beneath you.  It’s an exciting process and one that often leads to unique discoveries. Don’t tell me you’re not curious about the possibility of sitting above a hefty gold nugget...

About the author: Michael Bernzweig managesMetalDetector.com in Southborough, MA. He has written extensively on the subject of metal detecting since the mid 1980’s. He has traveled world-wide in his pursuit of educating, exploring and advising others in the proper use of metal detectors. Outside of the business he enjoys mentoring students, being involved in the community and spending time with his family

Metal Detecting for Beginners

By.Vanessa LeBeau 

If you have been to the beach, chances are you have seen someone with a metal detector walking up and down looking for treasure. Treasure hunting has been popular for centuries, and metal detectors have made it possible for enthusiasts to look for treasure wherever they are. Metal detectors can also be used in professional fields like archaeology, criminal investigations with forensics department, and with some military operations. This is a hobby that you can take with you whenever you travel to a new place. Metal detecting is popular throughout the country.

If you are interested in becoming a metal detectorist, you can start by purchasing a metal detector. There are a wide variety of models that range from novice to expert. The machines work by sending magnetic waves into the ground below, and when you find metal, the waves will bounce signal back up to you. This will prevent you from digging up rocks or other materials that do not contain metal. With practice, you will be able to differentiate what you find by listening the to signal. This can help prevent you from digging up the tabs on soda cans or other metal that is not worth much. When you become good enough, you can volunteer to help the police during the investigations that they do in your area. Some of the best places to dig are around old schools or churches or in historic sites.

When you become interested in metal detecting, it is important to understand the laws related to metal detecting. These laws vary by location. When you begin, you will need to check with your state and local laws to make sure that you are following them. Most parks have rules, as well. Metal detecting is prohibited in national parks and many state parks. It is essential that you follow the rules to avoid fines. In areas where you do look, it is important to leave the area virtually the same way you found it. If you find something to dig up, keep the area where are you digging small, and return it the condition it was in before you arrive. Showing respect to the area and following the laws will allow you to continue to hunt in these areas. Some states or cities will not allow you to keep the artifacts that you find, and you will need to turn them over to local authorities once you find them. It is helpful to be able to them the exact coordinates of where you found them, and a GPS may be a useful tool to take with you. Compliance to the laws will allow metal detecting to continue, where it may be banned if everyone began ignoring the rules.

There are many local and national metal detecting organizations and clubs that you can join. These clubs are a great way to learn more about the hobby. You can also learn the best places to dig in your area, or you can contact the club of an area you are visiting to learn more about where you are allowed to look. The organizations also work to provide protection for you to continue with your hobby. Joining a group and going on trips together can give you additional practice in operating your machine. It is also fun to hear the many different stories of finds that other metal detectorists have with their best finds. If you have always dreamed of finding buried treasure, a metal detector can help you to continue searching for historical finds.

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