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.
October Votes Have Been Counted!
Of the 18 photos chosen for the Wall of Fame, only one was voted as our October Find of The Month. The item that received the most votes is this rare George Washington inaugural button featured below. The button was recovered by our one and only.
Tera Roach
What’s The Story Behind The Find?
From Tera herself, “I was metal detecting a long forgotten home site from the mid 1700’s with my husband and two children. We had been there once before this spring and decided to go back after the corn was off. Signals were few and far between. I hit a signal that wasn’t very promising, a scratchy signal that came up in the mid 40’s on my AT Pro. I kicked aside the corn fodder and dug the signal.
This target ended up being deeper and I had to do some more digging after I popped the plug. Finally, out pops this dandy button incased in mud. I called over my husband and he swiped over the face of the button and I saw it, the George Washington Inaugural eagle.
Honestly, I started to cry and I don’t think he knew what was wrong. I managed to get out it was a GW button and he said no way. It’s funny, I never expected to be so moved by a single find. A quick google search produced a photo of the eagle. It was unreal to be sitting there holding such a significant piece of USA history. Even more exciting when I got home and cleaned up the button, that I was lucky enough to find one dated 1798.”
Check Out Some of Tera’s Favorite Finds.
Some of Tera’s favorite finds are shown below. Finds are a dragoon button, signet ring pipe tamper, half reales & cut 1 reales, Bryan and Kern Campaign luggage tag, dog tax tags 1926, 1928, and 1962, monogrammed sterling salt spoon, and her best condition US large cent.
Lets Find Out More About Tera
How long have you been metal detecting?
Tera: About 8 years ago my husband got me my AT Pro. I only went a few times and then had my son and it sat unused until November of last year. So, I’ve pretty much only been detecting a year.
What is your favorite metal detector and what do you like about the machine the most?
Tera: The AT Pro is my favorite machine but I haven’t used any others. It is simple to use and I’m happy with what I’ve found with it over the past year. Maybe someday I’ll try a multifrequency machine
Who inspired you to get into metal detecting?
Tera: As a kid I dug bottles, poked around old houses, and enjoyed history. I always thought it would be fun to have a metal detector to find coins and relics. What got me to pick up my machine again was watching videos on YouTube of people scuba diving rivers for “treasure.”
I never really got the chance to try out the hobby years ago when I first got the machine. While out last year learning my machine I ran into a group of guys metal detecting. They had found some colonial relics and were nice enough to show me. That sealed the deal. One of them took me out at that site we both had permission and gave me pointers. It was a huge help to shorten the learning curve and I’m hooked.
What do you consider to be your best find metal detecting?
Tera: Probably this George Washington Inaugural button. I’m still finding a lot of firsts since I am new and they are all special too.
What is your favorite type of detecting (relic, coin shooting, water etc.)?
Tera: I have only relic and coin hunted so far. I’d like to water hunt too but I haven’t tried that out yet. Since my machine is older it is not completely waterproof.
Name 5 items you would like to find in the future.
Tera: Anything seated, shield nickel, trime, love token, Complete shoe buckle.
Do you have other social media links, channels etc. you want to share on your page?
Tera: I don’t have a YouTube channel but I enjoy the metal detecting Facebook pages to see finds and learn more about history.
Our October 2020 Wall of Fame Winners
- 1600’s Spanish Cob – Jason Jones – Eastern Shore of MD – Minelab Equinox 800
- 1745 1 Reale from Mexico City – John Young – Greenbrier County, WV – Garrett AT Max
- Cut Quarter of a Spanish 2 Reale Pistereen – John Rebman – Virginia Western Shore – XP Deus
- 1762 Half Reale – Mike Hitch – Somerset County, MD – Minelab Equinox 800
- 1794 Liberty Cap Large Cent – Mike Hitch – Wicomico County, MD – Minelab Equinox 800
- U.S (Union) Civil War Buckle – Mark Nusbaum – Adams County, PA – XP Deus
- 1820’s New York Militia Button – Chris Martin – Franklin County, PA – Garrett AT Max
- 1900 Barber Half Dollar – Amy Garrison – Chester County, PA – Garrett AT Pro
- State of New York (SNY) Civil War Belt Plate – Mike Mancuso – Western MD, Minelab Equinox 800
- Virginia 8th Calvary Button – Brian Hammond – Ohio River Bank, WV – Fisher F19
- 1782 1 Reale – David Clayton Barone – Somerset County, MD – Minelab Equinox 800
- George Washington Inaugural Button – Tera Roach – Southern MD – Garrett AT Pro
- 1853 Seated Quarter – Juan Ramos – Frederick, MD – Garrett AT Pro
- 1803 Draped Bust Large Cent – Mike Hitch – Wicomico, MD – Minelab Equinox 800
- 1857 Seated Quarter – Jason Morgan – Frederick, MD – Garrett AT Max
- Eagle Breast Plate (Civil War) – John Davidson – Washington County, MD – Minelab GPX 4500
- 1807 Draped Bust Half Cent – J P Hunts – Sharpsburg, MD – Garrett AT Pro
- 2 Piece Marine Button – Doug Goodyear – Worcester, County, MD – Minelab Equinox 800
If you are looking for a new metal detector or just getting started in this hobby, Fort Bedford Metal Detectors carries all of the metal detectors mentioned above and more. Plus, they carry all the accessories you’ll ever need. Give Keith Leppert a call at 814-215-1732 or visit his website If you are looking at other machines, coils, accessories etc., Fort Bedford is the place to go. Tell him Scott from Mental Metal Detecting sent you!
Join us and submit your photos!
