On my lunch break at work, my buddy and I were detecting at a new permission. It was our first time at this house. We weren't really finding too many old targets, except a wheat penny and a 1954 Roosevelt dime (that the property owner wanted). Right before we were done detecting and about to head back to work, I swung over a 16 signal on the 'Nox. I thought it might be something somewhat old, so I started digging the plug.
When I first got a visual on the target, I thought it was modern Euro coin or a Sacagawea dollar (US). But when I finally popped it and got a better look at it, I saw an eagle on the reverse, staring at me. I couldn't believe it. I tried to call my buddy over to look at it, but he said I was really just making noises and pointing. I was in disbelief.
I had found a US 1909 $5 Indian Head gold coin, D mint mark! This is something I only hear about and see on YouTube! One of my best detecting finds, ever! The difficult part of this story for me, is that the property owner asked to keep the coin. After 6 years of metal detecting, I had finally found my first gold coin, but the property owner wanted it. The house has been in the property owner's family for 121 years. This was difficult for both of us, because the property owner knew I wanted the coin too, badly. I finally gave the coin over to him, but it was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do in this hobby...Bittersweet Gold!
