Digging every target

[silver]

Full house BW, well done !

 

[Ridge Runner]

One more query. Pellets down around 4-6 inches are often white coated and yes "Scrounger", larger. I understand that these have been in the ground longer and have worked their way down over time. I too get excited with these ones but so far to no avail,never mind I'll keep looking and digging.
Leroy.

Just be careful of that white coating because it is Extremely poisonous, I have some bits of Lead that are Roman Curses, They use to write on small bits of Lead and roll them up and throw them in to pits as offering to the gods and I have spindle whorls from the 14th century and musket balls from the 1400s and they are all coated in the stuff so don't go putting your fingers near your mouth after touching them.

John.

 

[BigWave]

Thanks Silver, I started praying for Soverigns. but hadn't thought of a full house (except in poker). Wasn't there also a farthing? On our way home we passed a club all dressed up and riding penny farthings (which I had to explain to my daughter cause she thought they'd be better off on mountain bikes) - which got me thinking about farthings. Anyway I know that you've written much on cleaning pre-decimals, and have quickly glossed over these posts in the past, but as I didn't think I'd need to clean same (although I once found a near pristine groat which some idiot must have recently dropped in a rock pile at Talbot). I'd certainly like your advice on cleaning both silvers and coppers. I know you use terms like CAB etc, but this is all Greek to me. Would very much like pointers to your sage cleaning posts, or direct advice in this thread. My daughter and I are now both keen. Thanks bucko.

 

[silver]

BigWave, starts here and devopes over the ensuing pages (note Dj's kick off there too).
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5295&p=47
Gotta read a bit to get abreast of developments. 8)

 

[BigWave]

Started the reading. Thanks Ag.

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

Let me share this piece of wisdom with you.

If you are finding tiny shotgun pellets, there has been no other competent SDC operator in that area.

Personally when I find lead, I know no other detector has been in that area and get real keen but there may or may not be gold there too.

Accept that gold to lead can be 100:1 ratio some days.

Cheers

RS

Why does that mean no one one has been there. They might be just throwing what they find back on the ground again

I think that the words " no other competent SDC operator in that area" is the clue. I am assuming that he, like I, take away any junk that we find, even as a service to the environment and other detectorists, and while those that throw there junk back may not be incompetent, I would like to think that a good detectorist would do the same.

Rob.

Sorry i don't share the same definitive view of the above reasoning's of finding lead shot, airgun & shotgun pellets.....did you both consider they may still be there as a consequence of operators walking the ground with coils only looking for 'big' targets and not interested in pee-wee targets...or had a good detector but an inefficient operating style thereby missing the softer responses (such as the 2300 or other)?

Having said that, if these were the reasons, then i concede there 'may' still be smaller gold there as a result, however i tend not to dwell on the "why's", and just be happy for my "finds"

These are just two alternatives to what you suggest (yet by no means all), so perhaps this area may be one in which you might consider altering your thoughts as to why they are there, and as such improve even your own results?

No-one can say with absolute confidence as to the reason, all we can do is make sure we as operators are doing our very best with what we use and hopefully, leave a little less for the next operator as even 'we' will not get it ALL.

GGA

 

[BigWave]

Started the cleaning based on your advice Silver. Not touched the coppers tho. I found the Citric Acid Bath (CAB) darkened the silvers faces, but the Bi-Carb touch up afterwards made them shine again. Thanks Silver. There's still a bit of work to go, but I'll need time with the loupe. Interesting that the silvers survived way better than the coppers. A nice little start to my second daughter's coin collection.

 

[silver]

Looking nice BigWave ,... a quick apprenticeship, but you've graduated with flying colours . 8)

 

[BigWave]

Thanks Ag. Still a little work to do on them, but I'll get there. Great advice on PA!

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

Now their clean, they appear to grade fairly well (though now diminished by scrubbing)......ie; still good definition. Considering there's 16yrs between them and in close proximity...that area's worth another hunt i reckon.

Bet your daughter is chuffed too...

GGA