The Truth About The Most Valuable Metal Detecting Finds

Last February, I was freezing my butt off treasure hunting in a muddy field outside Lancaster. My XP Deus II started screaming. You know that sound – the one that makes your heart jump when metal detecting gold might be near. After 10 years of this hobby, I still get excited like a kid.

I dug down eight inches. Brushed away the clay. And found… a 1974 quarter.

I laughed so hard my 8-year-old asked if I’d finally found “buried treasure.” Nope. Just another piece of pocket change to add to my detector finds collection.

That’s metal detecting, folks. For every story about valuable metal detecting discoveries Europe celebrates or million dollar metal detecting finds stories from the USA, there are thousands of us digging up trash. But here’s the thing – those record breaking metal detecting discoveries? They’re real. And I’m gonna tell you about the most valuable metal detecting finds ever.

What Are The Real Odds of Finding Valuable Treasures While Metal Detecting?

When the Saddle Ridge Hoard news broke in 2013, every treasure hunter I knew went crazy. A couple in California found metal detecting finds worth millions – $10 million in gold coins. Just sitting there. In their yard.

My buddy Steve immediately booked a trip to California for treasure hunting. Came back with two wheat pennies and a sunburn. Classic Steve.

Here’s what nobody tells you about metal detecting values: Less than 0.1% of detector finds are worth over $1,000 [1]. I’ve tracked every single find since 2014. My best year? $127 in coins, three silver rings, and enough pull tabs to build a small shed.

But we keep digging for treasure discoveries. Because sometimes, just sometimes, magic happens with valuable ancient artifacts found metal detecting.

The Most Valuable Metal Detecting Finds Ever: 10 Treasure Hoards That Made People Rich

1. Saddle Ridge Hoard – Biggest Treasure Finds Metal Detecting USA ($10 Million)

This remains one of the most expensive treasures found with metal detector luck (even without using one!). John and Mary (fake names) were walking their dog when they discovered buried treasure. The dog started sniffing around an old tree. They saw some rusty cans sticking out of the ground.

Inside? 1,427 gold coins from 1847 to 1894 – metal detecting gold coins worth thousands upon thousands [2].

One coin – just ONE – sold for $1 million. It was an 1866-S $20 Liberty Double Eagle, proving what are the most valuable detector finds can be surprising [3]. The crazy part? They weren’t even metal detecting!

What I learned: Hunt your own property first for valuable treasures. I’ve found better historical artifacts found metal detecting value in spots I’ve hit 50 times than in new places.

2. Most Expensive Rare Coins Found – 1933 Double Eagle Worth $18.9 Million

OK, this wasn’t found with standard detecting artifacts methods. But among the rarest items found while metal detecting history, this story is wild. The government made these coins illegal to own. Only one is legal. It sold for almost $19 million in 2021 [4].

I’ve never found a Double Eagle while metal detecting gold. But I did find a fake one in Maryland. Had me dancing for 30 seconds until I saw “COPY” on the edge. My wife still laughs about that treasure hunting fail.

3. Great Kentucky Hoard – Record Breaking Metal Detecting Discoveries USA ($2+ Million)

This just happened! Someone found over 700 Civil War gold coins – metal detecting finds that made people rich overnight. Including 18 super rare ones from 1863 [6]. These were made before “In God We Trust” was added to coins.

I hunt Civil War sites all the time looking for valuable metal detecting discoveries (with permission!). Found bullets, buttons, buckles. Never gold. This person did everything right with their treasure discoveries – reported it, worked with experts, kept quiet about the location.

4. Le Catillon II – Valuable Metal Detecting Discoveries Europe ($5.87 Million)

Get this treasure hunting story – Reg Mead and Richard Miles searched for 30 YEARS before finding anything [7]. They heard stories about buried treasure in the area. Just kept looking.

Finally found 70,000 coins. SEVENTY THOUSAND – one of the biggest treasure finds metal detecting history.

This is why I keep going back to that old fairground looking for metal detecting finds. Haven’t found treasure yet. But Reg and Richard give me hope. (My wife calls it my “30-year plan” for finding valuable treasures. She’s not thrilled.)

5. Crosby Garrett Helmet – Historical Artifacts Found Metal Detecting Value ($4.4 Million)

Someone found this Roman cavalry helmet in 67 pieces – detecting artifacts at their most valuable. After fixing it up, it sold to a private buyer for millions, becoming one of the most expensive treasures found with metal detector [8]. Museums couldn’t afford it. Big controversy.

This bugs me about metal detecting values. I always report important finds to archaeologists. Sure, I might miss a payday from million dollar metal detecting finds stories. But history matters more than money. (OK, it’s close when I think about college bills.)

6. Hoxne Hoard – Most Valuable Detector Finds UK ($2.625 Million)

Eric Lawes was looking for a lost hammer. Found 15,000 Roman coins instead – rare coins found by accident [9]. He called the authorities right away about his treasure discoveries. They excavated properly. And yes – they found the hammer too!

This is why you report valuable metal detecting finds UK style. Eric and the landowner split the reward fair and square. Now millions can see these valuable ancient artifacts found metal detecting in the British Museum.

7. Hand of Faith – Australian Metal Detecting Treasure Finds ($3.5 Million Today)

Kevin Hillier found this monster gold nugget just 12 inches down – one of the highest value items found metal detecting Australia. It weighs 875 troy ounces [10]. Now it sits in a Las Vegas casino.

I’ve never found gold nuggets while metal detecting gold. Pennsylvania isn’t gold country. But I did find a gold tooth once. Not quite as romantic as Australian metal detecting treasure finds.

8. Boot of Cortez – Million Dollar Metal Detecting Finds Stories Mexico ($1.55 Million)

A guy with a Radio Shack detector found this 389-ounce gold nugget – proving expensive jewelry found metal detecting isn’t the only valuable find [11]. Radio Shack! Sold for over $1.5 million in 2008.

Shows you don’t need fancy gear for treasure hunting. I started with a $99 Bounty Hunter looking for buried treasure. Found plenty before upgrading.

What Makes Metal Detecting Finds Valuable? Expert Analysis of Treasure Discoveries

After 10 years of treasure hunting, here’s what drives metal detecting values:

Rare beats gold. That Henry III penny? Worth 1,000 times its weight in gold – proving what are the most valuable detector finds aren’t always obvious. Only eight exist. I find gold rings worth maybe $50 in melt value while metal detecting gold.

Condition is huge for valuable treasures. The Saddle Ridge coins looked brand new. I found a rare 1916-D Mercury dime once – potentially valuable metal detecting discoveries. So worn you could barely see the date. Worth $50 instead of $1,000.

History adds zeros to metal detecting finds. The Staffordshire Hoard changed how we see Anglo-Saxon England. Even small historical artifacts found metal detecting value can be immense. Last year I found a Civil War button our museum loved.

Keep records of detector finds! I photograph every good find with GPS info. Not because I expect million dollar metal detecting finds stories. Because historians need context for valuable ancient artifacts found metal detecting.

Metal Detecting Laws for Treasure Hunting You Must Know

Different places have different rules about buried treasure. And they’re serious:

United States treasure hunting laws:

• Stay off federal land when metal detecting (learned that from a grumpy park ranger)
• State laws for valuable metal detecting discoveries vary – look them up
• Always get permission for treasure hunting on private land IN WRITING
• Break ARPA laws while detecting artifacts? That’s 10 years in prison [13]

United Kingdom metal detecting regulations:

• Report old treasure discoveries to authorities
• Finder and landowner split rewards from valuable metal detecting finds UK
• Their system for historical artifacts found metal detecting value actually makes sense [14]

My rules for finding valuable treasures:

• Get permission first (I carry forms)
• Tell museums about good metal detecting finds
• Join a club for insurance on detector finds
• Never hunt protected sites for buried treasure (duh)

Reality Check: Average Metal Detecting Values and Treasure Hunting Success

My neighbor bought a detector last month thinking metal detecting finds that made people rich happened daily. Thought he’d find gold in a week. I told him I’ve been treasure hunting 20 years. My best find is worth maybe $300 – a silver spoon from the 1890s.

He returned the detector after two days of not finding valuable treasures.

Here’s the truth about metal detecting values: I make $50-100 per year from detector finds. Mostly pocket change. No million dollar metal detecting finds stories here.

The real treasure? Last summer my kids and I found a class ring from 1967 while detecting artifacts. Returned it to the owner. Watching that old man cry when he put it on? Worth more than the most expensive treasures found with metal detector.

Best Tips for Finding Valuable Metal Detecting Discoveries

Forget “secret settings” for metal detecting gold coins worth thousands. Here’s what matters for treasure hunting:

Know your machine for detector finds. I spent six months in my backyard before going anywhere. Found 47 cents. Learned every beep that might signal buried treasure.

Research beats luck for valuable treasures. I spend more time with old maps than detecting. Old swimming spots and forgotten fairgrounds produce more historical artifacts found metal detecting value than random fields.

Talk to old-timers about treasure discoveries. Best permissions for finding rare coins found come from coffee shop chats. They remember where the old dance hall was.

Document your metal detecting finds. I use a simple app. Helps me see patterns and remember good spots for valuable ancient artifacts found metal detecting.

Why Most Metal Detecting YouTube Videos About Finding Buried Treasure Are Misleading

Social media makes it look like people find valuable metal detecting discoveries Europe style daily. They don’t show the five hours of digging trash before expensive jewelry found metal detecting. I’m guilty too – I post the good stuff, not the 47 pull tabs.

Watch out for YouTube channels claiming record breaking metal detecting discoveries every week. Real detecting for valuable treasures is mostly aluminum and iron. Trust me on metal detecting values.

Metal Detecting for Beginners vs Experienced Treasure Hunters

New detectorists seeking detector finds:

• Start in your yard for buried treasure. I still find stuff in mine
• Buy used gear for treasure hunting. My first three machines were secondhand
• Join a club to learn about metal detecting finds. The $25 fee pays for itself
• You’ll find trash before valuable treasures. Lots of it. That’s normal

Veterans with million dollar metal detecting finds stories:

• Help newcomers to treasure discoveries. The hobby needs them
• Try new stuff for detecting artifacts. I avoided small coils for years – big mistake
• Document finds for future valuable metal detecting discoveries
• Consider donating historical artifacts found metal detecting value to museums

Frequently Asked Questions About Most Valuable Metal Detecting Finds Ever

“What are typical metal detecting values?“ Maybe $50-100 per year if you hunt for buried treasure a lot. Some years I make $200 from detector finds. Some years $30. It’s not about money.

“Can I sell rare coins found metal detecting?” In the US? It’s complicated for valuable treasures. Private land finds usually OK. But get a lawyer if you discover treasure discoveries worth serious money. I donate most historical artifacts.

“Do I need insurance for valuable metal detecting finds?” For expensive jewelry found metal detecting or other valuable finds, yes. Regular home insurance won’t cover biggest treasure hoards found metal detecting. Ask me how I know.

“How much of my detecting artifacts are actually valuable?” Less than 1% has real money value like metal detecting finds worth millions. But that $5 Civil War button? Priceless to historians studying valuable ancient artifacts found metal detecting.

“How do I know if I’ve found buried treasure?“ The US doesn’t have “treasure” laws like most valuable metal detecting finds UK regulations. Value depends on rarity and demand for detector finds. When in doubt about metal detecting gold or artifacts, ask an expert.

The Real Truth About Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting Success

Look, you probably won’t find the highest value items found metal detecting. I haven’t discovered million dollar metal detecting finds stories. And I’ve dug enough holes looking for valuable treasures to be a professional gopher.

But that’s not why we go treasure hunting.

Last month, my son found his first Indian Head penny – 1903. Not exactly metal detecting gold coins worth thousands, but his face lit up like Christmas. We researched it together. Learned the history of our detector finds. Added it to his collection.

That’s the real treasure discoveries. It’s the history. The time outside seeking buried treasure. The friends who share rarest items found while metal detecting. And yeah, the hope that the next beep might be one of those record breaking metal detecting discoveries.

Every find connects us to the past. Whether it’s most valuable beach metal detecting finds or a ring returned to its owner, we’re saving history. From valuable metal detecting discoveries Europe to Australian metal detecting treasure finds, we’re all part of preserving the past.

So get out there. Hunt for valuable treasures responsibly. And remember – the best metal detecting finds are always the next ones.

Happy hunting!

Paul Edgerton
Founder, Detector For Metal
Dad, Detectorist, and Eternal Optimist

(P.S. – Yes honey, I know I said no more detectors this year. But this new Minelab for finding buried treasure… we’ll talk.)

References

1. Metal Detecting Statistics and Find Rates – Quora
2. Saddle Ridge Hoard Discovery – American History
3. Record Breaking Saddle Ridge Coin Sale – BBC
4. 1933 Double Eagle Auction Record – Sotheby’s
5. Great Kentucky Hoard Discovery – GovMint
6. Jersey Hoard Discovery – BBC News
7. Crosby Garrett Helmet Sale – Wikipedia
8. Hoxne Hoard – Smithsonian
9. Hand of Faith Nugget – Golden Nugget Las Vegas
10. Boot of Cortez Auction – Heritage Auctions
11. Archaeological Resources Protection Act – NPS
12. UK Treasure Act Guide – Portable Antiquities Scheme