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Thread: Why are relics so under appreciated?

  1. #1
    Senior Member RIdirtdigger's Avatar
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    Why are relics so under appreciated?

    I feel people like silver more than relics even though relics tell a much better story at times. I was just looking for peoples opinions.
    Oldest coin(s): 1600's Spanish copper maravedis Oldest American Coin: 1797 Large Cent. Oldest silver: 178? Spanish 1/2 Reale
    Best Relic(s): Pre Civil War US Revenue Service Button, GW Button, Best Find(s): 1790 King George III Gold Guinea/ "Long Live the King" Button

  2. #2
    Veteran Member SeabeeRon's Avatar
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    I think it has allot to do with where in the country you live and what is available in the area you live. If I lived in the north east or in a civil war area I know i would go after the relics!
    SeabeeRon on the beach in Santa Cruz,CA.

  3. #3
    I don't consider myself a relic hunter but I do dig most all non iron targets. At times that gives up some relics. I pass on most iron targets since the places I hunt aren't likely to give up anything old or of interest.
    Whites VX3 with Sunray Probe, 10x12 SEF, 8x6 SEF, 10dd, 6x10Eclipse, 4x6 Eclipse, Lesche digger and Garrett Pro Pointer.

  4. #4
    Administrator del's Avatar
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    I agree with Ron , I believe its a personal like an all relative to where you live .
    "Honesty is an expensive gift ,
    so don't expect it from cheap people"

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  5. #5
    Full Member GA1dad's Avatar
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    The lack of relic interest probably aligns with an individuals general interest in history as a whole. I personally love the history involved in relics,, even when it's the simplest of items I appreciate the fact that our elders used it.
    Primary machine= Teknetics T2

    2016 Totals
    Oldest Coin= 1920 Wheat Cent
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  6. #6
    I think for various reasons, many folks just don't have a good opportunity to hunt for relics. Or just as likely "junk" simply doesn't float their boat. Silver coinage is then the logical "prey" of choice in my opinion. There are ample places to hunt for it but it is not plentiful, so there is a sense of accomplishment when you find one. Certainly there is for me! A lot of folks on this site find more silver in one day than I do in a year.

    I love to dig relics for the reasons you and the other posters describe Ron, and consider it a good hunt when I can sniff out a couple of flat buttons. I have a good buddy that detects but we never detect together. He has zero interest in coppers or relics. He wants silver, period. So the sites he likes to hunt are different from the sites I like to hunt. What ever floats your boat!

    I would also argue that a 250 year old silver coin is also a relic
    Oldest find: 5,000 year old copper spearhead
    Oldest coin: 1699 William III halfpenny
    Purdiest coin: 1832 Capped Bust quarter
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    "He who would search for pearls must dive below."

  7. #7
    Full Member GA1dad's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lodge Scent View Post

    I would also argue that a 250 year old silver coin is also a relic
    Can't argue with you on that point,,,
    Primary machine= Teknetics T2

    2016 Totals
    Oldest Coin= 1920 Wheat Cent
    Silver Coins= 0
    Rings= 1

  8. #8
    Senior Member Isaac's Avatar
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    Agreed with Del,

    It's tougher getting relics in the western areas of the US
    I <3 colonial relics!

  9. #9
    Elite Member Digger_O'Dell's Avatar
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    Here in the upper Midwest coins are the most likely targets to find. As with the local history, we didn't see many European folk arrive until about 1850. Before that were only a few small settlements that have since disappeared under concrete and asphalt, with only a couple original buildings preserved by moving to another location in a park setting. About the only thing around here that might qualify as relic would be a 1971 Pinto.
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  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Digger_O'Dell View Post
    About the only thing around here that might qualify as relic would be a 1971 Pinto.
    My first car!...and lived to tell about it
    Maybe another reason relics seem to take a back seat to coinage is simply because coins are dated(?). It's awesome when a toe tap or suspender clip has a date on it.
    On Instagram- oxshoedrew

  11. #11
    At least those who are commenting are aware this is an opinion based post. (Not many trollers on here if you get the reference).

    Drew, I think there is some relevance to having a date-able find. Personally I'm guessing because silver (and gold) have a definitive monetary value. The items can be sold as scrap but as well people who aren't in the hobby are interested. You may find some relics online (which is how I was able to identify a few) but even coin collectors have an interest in the coins picked up. Suffice to say it as a coin give more flexibility if those who find them ever sell them. More people can identify them as well. A person not knowing about the hobby may hear about an old coin you find or silver coin it be "Omg that's wonderful. Are you going to sell it?" Knowing it's worth something. They hear about a relic and think "oh that's nice. Idk what it's worth. Shouldn't it be in a museum, tho?".
    Last edited by MangoAve; 07-09-2015 at 12:48 PM.

  12. #12
    Elite Member Bucknut's Avatar
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    The sole reason why I got into this hobby was to find silver coins. Same goes for a couple of my detecting buddies. But as I have started detecting older sites I have started to have a bigger appreciation for the relics.

    I have only sold 1 item that I have dug up and it was a relic. I would probably do it again too...but maybe not.
    Detectors I use: Minelab Equinox 900 & Manticore
    Favorite finds I have made:
    1,000+ silver coins
    92pcs of 1700's Trade Era Silver
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    125+ War of 1812 Era buttons and relics
    My wife
    (probably should have started with that one)

  13. #13
    Lot's of really good comments and opinions in this thread. I enjoy finding relics like bullets, buttons, etc. that are military related but iron relics don't hold much interest for me. They take up lots of space and I can just hear my wife now..."blah, blah, blah, why do have all these rusty blah, blah, blah?"
    Oldest Coin: 100-60 BC Gallic bronze coin (Sequani Tribe)
    Oldest Silver Coin: 1156 hammered Pfennig from (now) Bavaria
    Oldest U.S. coin: 1805 Draped Bust Large Cent
    Best Coins EVER: 1625 4 Sols from Kingdom of Chateau Renaud, France
    1662 15 Kreuzers, Leopold I, Austria
    Best Relics: Bronze Age Arrowheads & Spearhead, 2c Roman silver ring, complete medieval knight's spur (x6)
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