Tips for Finding Buried Treasure in New England

There’s a variety of reasons folks hunt for buried treasure in New England. Some hobbyists hunt for coins, buttons, jewelry, or relics of any age, and some focus on artifacts from particular eras; finding the niche you enjoy most is something that evolves with practice. Metal detectors can be purchased for as little as $100; some are specific to one type of hunting, while others are generalized. The VLF (very low frequency) type is the most popular and most versatile for general detecting on dry land; the simpler VLF detectors are good starting points for beginners, so that you don’t get overwhelmed by too many features and manual settings. Additional recommended equipment includes a trowel, a ground cloth, headphones, a two-pocket apron (nail apron), and a handheld pinpointer to isolate the target. Before you head out into the field, check online forums, peruse old maps, or get information on sites of local historical interest. Be sure to get permission to search on private property, and be aware that federal laws protect most historic lands. New England offers many treasure-hunting clubs and online forums to help you get started. Here’s a selection.

Connecticut

• Nutmeg Treasure Hunters, North Haven. Members are eager to offer advice to beginners. Member-organized expeditions. nutmegtreasurehunters.com • Nor’easters Metal Detecting Club, Stamford. Group hunts. noreasters.net

Massachusetts

• Gateway Treasure Hunters, Wareham. Members post photos of and questions about their finds, hunt locations, and equipment. gthclub.com • Massachusetts Treasure Hunting Association, Newton Highlands. Members organize hunts and “Find of the Month” contests. masstreasure.com • Silver City Treasure Seekers, Taunton. Holds an annual treasure show, club hunts, and coin contests. silvercitytreasureseekers.net/about_us.html

New Hampshire

• Granite State Treasure Hunters Club for Historic Preservation, London­derry. Started in 1974, this is the oldest registered club of its kind in the state, welcoming everyone from the experienced pro to newcomers. gsthc.org

Maine

• Metal Detecting Maine. An online club. Members and guests are welcome to use the online forum to seek advice, post findings, ask questions, and identify finds. metaldetectingmaine.com

Online

• North East Metal Detecting Forum northeastmetaldetectingforum.com • Friendly Metal Detecting Forum metaldetectingforum.com

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