Lets keep it simple from the start. First of all there are numerous areas around where you live that are good areas to detect. I would first start out with your local park or school. If it's a county park, you will need a metal detecting permit from your local county parks & recreation. I have found lots of great finds at parks & schools. Not necessarily always old, but of some value. Some of these items include tax tokens, old railroad trolley tokens, Indian head pennies, wheat back pennies, mercury dimes, buffalo nickels, rings, charms, necklaces & many other items.

Fantastic finds just waiting for you

Again, to find the older items this is where your research will be useful. As I mentioned before, this can be a family hobby for the kids & the entire family. Starting out with your new hobby of metal detecting at some of the mentioned areas will give you the opportunity to find a variety of items. This way you will not lose interest in the hobby as you get started. It's a lot like fishing, you might think you like it, but if your not catching fish, it's not as much fun.

Old school houses like this one, with their play grounds are excellent places for detecting

In case anyone might misunderstand, there is nothing wrong with hunting parks, playgrounds & schools. Good coins & artifacts are still being found in such locations. Old, valuable coins & jewelry still turn up in parks & such places that are supposedly "hunted out".

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