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 May Votes Are In!
Of the 17 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 1853 $1 dollar Gold Piece. This bucket list find was recovered by our member:
Michael Mancuso
On the same day Michael found the gold piece, he also uncovered an 1852 Trime or 3 cent piece, Plus, he dug up an 1859 Indian head penny, several .69 and .58 cal bullets and a few other things (shown below). He is clearly on a HOT civil war site and we’ve been watching him pull ups amazing relics like this for well over a year now.
A fun fact that Michael pointed out from his Facebook post. “The 1 Dollar Liberty (Type 1) gold coin is the smallest coin in United States Mint history with a diameter of only 13mm, making it even smaller than the 14mm silver Trime/three-cent piece.
Metal Detecting Maryland members congratulate Mr. Mancuso for his spectacular find. Most hobbyists never find one of these coins but Mike has already found TWO!
Now The Breaking News!
Breaking News! Not only did Michael find a $2.50 gold piece in March, then he found the $1 gold piece in May… He just informed me that at the same site, HE DID IT AGAIN! Michael found his 3rd GOLD COIN! This time was another 1861 $2.50 gold piece (see below).
Three gold coins at one site! March, May, and June! #INCREDIBLE. Once again, congrats Michael that is an amazing find and that is one heck of a permission.
Keep reading to find out more about Mr. Mancuso.
Check Out Some of Michael’s Other Finds
More From Michael From His Own Words
How long have you been metal detecting?
Michael: I swung my first detector around the age of 10 with my Dad (24 years ago). He began in the hobby nearly 30 years ago. I found my first Civil War bullet at that time. However, I never got into the hobby. It wasn’t until January 2019 that I went on my first real hunt with my Dad in Charleston, SC. I was hooked and wish I started sooner.
What was the first machine you ever used?
Michael: My first bullet was found with a Nautilus when I went out with my Dad many years ago. Apparently I struggled to hold it and swing it haha. The first machine I used when I actually started the hobby last year was a Garrett AT pro.
What is your favorite metal detector and what do you like about the machine the most?
Michael: My favorite metal detector is the Minelab Equinox 800. If you asked me this question 4 months ago, I would have said the Garrett AT Max. When I first used the Equinox in a field that I had already hit pretty good with the AT max, I was amazed at all the signals that I missed. I’ve tried side by side testing in these fields with both machines and the Equinox slams all the targets where as the Garrett would be silent or have a terrible tone. These were all very deep targets, I’m not taking away from the Garrett. It’s still a great machine and currently my back up. I attribute the success of the Equinox to multi frequency.
Who inspired you to get into metal detecting?
Michael: I don’t really know what sparked my interest in the Fall of 2018. I remember wanting to get into a new hobby and metal detecting popped in my head. Knowing that my Dad was a seasoned vet in the hobby, I turned to him. Without my Dad, I would not have had the amount of success in the past year that I’ve been blessed with. Now I’m teaching him about this new technology haha.
What do you consider to be your best find metal detecting?
Michael: While the gold coins are incredible, I would have to say my best find is the Ohio Volunteer Militia breast plate. It was just recently featured on the cover of American Digger magazine in the May-June issue.
What is your favorite type of detecting?
Michael: Relic hunting, hands down. I would like to get more involved in water hunting.
Name 5 items you would like to find this year?
Michael: Confederate button, US buckle, Artillery shell, 1700’s US silver coin, and a US 2 cent piece
Do you have other social media links, channels etc. you want to share on your page?
Michael: I don’t have any at this time. Maybe in the future.
May 2020 Wall of Fame Winners.
A Month to Remember.
May turned out to be another outstanding month for metal detecting. The image above is our Wall of Fame photo for our Facebook group. This photo will stay up on our wall for the entire month of June.
We now have over 1600 members who have joined our group. But who are the members that made the wall in May, what did they find, and what metal detector were they using? You can find out all of the information below.
Riley Bryant – 50lb Civil War Naval Cannon Ball – XP Deus
Andy Nunez – 10k Gold Ring – Minelab Vanquish 540
Phillip Kemmerlin – 9k gold earring and this 1882 dog tag – Minelab Equinox 600
John Davidson – 2 Ring .69 cal Prussian Bullet – Minelab GPX 4500
Mike McCullough – 1853 Seated Liberty Quarter – Minelab Equinox 600
Brian Lee West – WWII Metal – Garrett AT Pro
Mike Hitch – Virginia CSA Button – Garrett AT Pro
Scott Morgan – Confederate Staff Officers Coat Button – Whites 5900
Anthony Bogdan – Tiffany 18k gold and Platinum Ring and a Maryland Militia Cuff Button – Minelab Equinox 800
Doug Goodyear – Charles II Half Reale Cob (1668-1697) – Minelab Equinox 800
Doug Smith – 1827 Capped Bust Dime – Minelab Equinox 800
Mark Nusbaum – Maryland Forest Warden Badge – Minelab Equinox 800
Andy Snell – 14k Gold Ring and Evinrude & Elto Outboard Motor Token – Minelab Equinox 800
Congrats to our Winners!
