Each month our Facebook group Metal Detecting Maryland (MDM) holds a contest to vote for our Find of The Month. The MDM Board selects 10 or more photos from the dozens of photos that are submitted for our Wall of Fame contest. The winning photos are voted on by our MDM members to determine which photo/item wins the title “Find of The Month“. To learn more about the contest click here.
Our June Votes Are In!
Of the 16 photos chosen for the Wall of Fame, only one was voted as our Find of The Month. The item that received the most votes is this 1833 Capped Bust Half Dollar. This beautiful coin was recovered by our member:
Mike Mancuso
If you notice we also had a “Michael” Mancuso who won the Find of The Month in May. Its no coincidence that both of these gentlemen share the same last name. If you didn’t know Michael is Mike’s son and this is the first time in our Find of the Month history that a father and son was voted as having the Find of the Month back to back. Congrats again to both of you.
According to Mike, “My son, Michael, took me to his brand new permission. We didn’t know what to expect, in fact we had low expectations, the area was new to us. We didn’t find much until I dug this cap bust 50 cent coin.”
I can say from experience that when you pull up a coin as big as a half dollar it really makes your heart skip a beat. These old coins have some amazing detail and they are hard to find. Again, congratulations to Mike on this spectacular find.
Both Mike and his son use the Minelab Equinox. If you are looking for a new machine like the Equinox or something different, MDM recommends reaching out to Keith Leppert from Fort Bedford Metal Detectors at 1-814-215-1732 or email him sales@fortbedfordmetaldetectors.com
Check Out Some of Mikes Other Finds
How long have you been metal detecting?
Mike: I have been metal detecting for about 30 years
What was the first machine you ever used?
Mike: My first machine was a White’s coin detector, I quickly went to a Fisher 1265 and then to a Nautilus
What is your favorite metal detector and what do you like about the machine the most?
Mike: Currently, I’m using the Equinox 800. I have returned to old hunt sites that I thought were cleaned out. This machine has produced more deep targets that were missed in the past. After a year, I’m still learning how to deal with the iron signals.
Who inspired you to get into metal detecting?
Mike: I always liked Military History and started going to Civil War shows. I got hooked on seeing all the relics and had a few friends that were detecting
What do you consider to be your best find metal detecting?
Mike: I have two, a 1748 Gold Guinea Coin and a 1836 Mechanick (that’s how it’s spelled on badge) Charleston Slave Badge. Both found in Charleston,SC.
What is your favorite type of detecting?
Mike: I like detecting for colonial, War of 1812 and Civil War relics. I will detect in a creek during the summer.
Name 5 items you would like to find this year?
Mike: I would like to find a George Washington Button, a Rev War Button, a Confederate Buckle, a Civil War ID Tag and a CW Artillery Shell. These have been on my bucket list for a long time and that keeps me detecting. It’s always a surprise when it comes out of the ground.
Do you have other social media links, channels etc. you want to share on your page?
Mike: I don’t have any right now but I am active on Facebook.
June 2020 Wall of Fame Winners
Summer is Kicking in.
As the rain tends to slow down and Covid-19 continues to plague our nation, we’ve seen a decline in metal detecting during the month of June. Nevertheless, these folks either adapted their hunting to water or managed to break through the hard dirt to find these amazing items which were all selected as our Wall of Fame winners for June 2020.
Mike McCullough – Civil War Artillery button found in Anne Arundel County, MD – Minelab Equinox 600.
Rob Meredith – 1856 Seated Quarter also found in Anne Arundel County, MD – Minelab Equinox 800. Rob also found a PA State Militia Button.
Doug Smith – Gold Sacred Heart Pendent in Adams County, PA – XP Deus
Amy Garrison – Match safe from the 1904 Worlds Fair – Garrett AT Pro
Mike Hitch – 1853 Trime found in Wilcomico County, MD – Garrett AT Pro
Travis Chapman Wyant – 1830-1849 decorative button found near the Mason-Dixen Line – Nokta Impact
Alan Dodson – US belt plate from the Civil War and a Rifleman button – Garrett AT Max
Jake Holladay – 3 seated dimes and 1 seated half dime all found in Anne Arundel County, MD – Garrett AT Pro
Phil Kemmerlin – 1943 Cuban Coin – Minelab Equinox 600
Keith Slyvester – He had an amazing day on water and found a 12 pound Boreman Cannon Ball along with a Parrott shell from the Civil War – Garrett AT Pro
Who Will Be Our Next Winners?
Will it be YOU?
