My journey into the world of metal detecting began in the early sixties. Over this period until the latter part of 2006 I have used many metal detecting machines with varied success. We are very fortunate today to have the choice of a variety of machines as the market is awash with new technology and can sometimes be a minefield for the new comer into this strange world of Metal Detecting. However, l had always held the opinion that most Metal detectors produced now days are on an equal footing pound for pound and all have the ability to seek out those ellusive targets we are all striving to find. I thought we had gone just about as far as we could with the technology available apart from whistles and bells, that is until one day I read about the new Minelab machine and against my principles decided to raid my piggy bank and purchase a Minelab Explorer back in 2007. Little was I to know that this initial outlay would turn out to be an investment and a life changing experience for me and my very first discovery of a William The Conqueror silver penny 1266 was only the start of a magnificent adventure. My find rate escalated over several months and I found myself going over ground I had previously searched out just to satisfy myself that this was not just a figment of my imagination. This paid off in more ways than one, so much so that I submitted an article to The Treasure Hunter Magazine which was published in October 2007 under the title Total and Utter Dedication by Groaty Rippon. I stuck my neck out and stated that it was only a matter of time before the big one was to be found and ended my article with (quote) watch this space. Only a few months elapsed before I was able to back up my claim which came as a result of my search ethics of never giving up on any stretch of land you have permission to search .It was yet another cold and wet September morning when due to limited land available to search I found myself on a stretch of land I had spent many an hour on with my other machines but never had the opportunity to use my Minelab. You could have knocked me down with a feather when the first of five Celtic Staters and a gold pellet fell to the Minelab Explorer on a standard factory setting. My elation was later compounded by the ensuing Treasure Valuation Committee report which confirmed that two of the coins were of new dies c 60 -50 B C of the Corieltavi tribe of Lincolnshire , only one of which was retained by the British Museum due to financial restraints and the second Stater sold at auction by Chris Rudd. I can only put my success down to my wise decision to acquire a Minelab Explorer and as a result I am now able to add my name to our national record of finds in the United Kingdom. Groaty Rippon - Lincoln, UK