November Digger of The Month


November Digger of The Month

Metal Detecting Maryland and Mental Metal Detecting would like to congratulate our November 2019 Digger of The Month.

Frankie Bushong

Frankie and his children metal detecting

Just when I didn’t think we could top the finds that came out of the ground back in October, November produced even more great finds. The relics and coins were coming out of the ground like crazy! It was a pleasure to see all of the finds everyone posted on our Facebook group Metal Detecting Maryland.

However, there was one find that stood out from the rest and it was Frankie’s 1802 silver 8 reale. This coin is MASSIVE and stunning to look at. I couldn’t image the feeling when Frankie laid eyes on it. Lucky enough for us, Matt Howell (Gone Diggin’ Channel and June’s Digger of The Month), captured the moment on video and I’ll put a link to the video below so you can watch that very moment.

Frankie’s 8 reale earned him the votes to lock in Digger of The Month for November 2019. Congrats Frankie! What an amazing coin but as you will see below, that is Frankie’s 2nd 8 reale and the other one is even better! #CRAZY!

Frankie’s 1802 8 reale

Watch Frankie Pull This Coin Out of The Ground!


More About Frankie From His Own Words.

How long have you been metal detecting?
Frankie: I got hook on metal detecting in 2005.

What was the first machine you ever used?
Frankie: My first machine was a Radio Shack Bounty Hunter. I used that machine everyday for 3 weeks. I was happy as could be finding pop tabs and tractor parts. With that machine I found my first old coin (1895 “V” nickel) and I was hooked after that!

What is your favorite metal detector and what do you like about the machine the most?
Frankie: My favorite metal detector is the Garrett AT Pro. Its waterproof and rugged and I put it to the test all the time! I am 100% confident with using the AT Pro and I can keep up with the best of them.

Who inspired you to get into metal detecting?
Frankie: A combo of my grandfather and good buddy who started digging in the late 1970’s.

What do you consider to be your best find metal detecting?
Frankie: Wow that’s a tough question. I like my coins but I also like my relics. I am going to have to go with my horse breastplate that I recently found. It turned out to be the crest of the Beaverstone Branch of the Berkeley Family.

Crest of the Beaverstone Branch of the Berkeley Family

What is your favorite type of detecting (relic, coin shooting, water etc.)?
Frankie: I enjoy it all equally. Relics, coins, and water hunting as well as hunting for bottles, fossils, and Indian artifacts.

Name 5 items you would like to find in 2019-2020?
Frankie: I am really hoping to find a civil war belt buckle, a hammered gold coin, an onion bottle, a love token, and a complete clay pipe.

Do you have other social media links, channels etc. that you would like others to know about?
Frankie: I have a YouTube channel titled: Frankie Bushong
I am also on Instagram as the one and only “Frankie Bushong. You can also join my Facebook group called “Addicted to Digging

Check Out Some of Frankie’s Favorite Finds.

Frankie’s 1782 an 1802 8 reales

How do you win Digger of The Month? Metal Detecting Maryland has a contest every month called the Wall of Fame Award. To be eligible to win Digger of the Month you must be a member of Metal Detecting Maryland and be selected for the Wall of Fame first. Not a member? Join today! Click Here for more information about the contest. Check out our Wall of Fame for October below.


November 2019 Wall of Fame


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Mental Metal

Here is a little about me. I started this hobby back in the early 90's. My first detector was a Whites 5900 DI. I found enough clad the first summer (around $400) to pay it off. Then I stopped detecting... Fortunately, I didn't give it up for good. Here I am 20+ years later and I've rediscovered the joy of metal detecting.

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