Treasure Hunters Tell All: Rings, Relics & Ridiculous Coin Spills
Published by Audrey Floyd on 07/29/25
From backyard breakthroughs to once-in-a-lifetime recoveries, these treasure stories from our community prove that the hunt is always worth it. Whether you're swinging your detector in a nearby park or diving offshore in the Bahamas, the next signal might just change your life. Here's a roundup of some of the most memorable finds shared by Kellyco detectorists.
A Colonial Coin Spill to Remember
Submitted by Heriberto C.
One of my best days ever with my Garrett AT Gold started early in the morning along an old colonial road. After hours of digging nothing but trash and a few modern coins, I finally heard that sound — the kind only experienced detectorists recognize. I knew it was something good.
Sure enough, out came a beautiful 1821 Large Cent in amazing condition. I was thrilled! I swung my detector over the hole again… and boom — another one, this time from 1816. I was shaking. Two old coins from the same hole?
I checked again… another signal. Out came a third Large Cent, dated 1818.
I couldn’t believe it — three Large Cents, all from the same hole. That day reminded me: persistence pays off. You never know what’s waiting just below the surface.
A 7,000-Year-Old Surprise Beneath a Maple Tree
Submitted by Gregory G.
After work one summer evening, I finally decided to check out an old wayside park nearby. I grabbed my Minelab Equinox 800 and Kellyco gear, hoping for a bit of luck.
Most of the evening was a bust — just tabs, can slaw, and one 1922-D wheat cent. But as I worked my way back toward the car, I circled one last maple tree. The Equinox rang out a strong 39. I figured it was junk… maybe sheet metal.
I dug down, checked again — deeper. Another few inches and I saw something green. Not a coin. Not trash. Heavy. Copper.
I called to my wife, “Just some old copper,” but then it hit me: this was a Native American artifact. Over 7,000 years old.
Lesson learned? Never write off a spot too soon — you never know what’s waiting under your feet.
Treasure on the Front Porch
Submitted by Brian B.
On just my third day with the Minelab Equinox 800, I followed the manual’s advice: start in your own yard. So I stepped off my front porch and got a strong 24–28 signal just a few feet from the door.
I dug a messy rookie hole and found some nails, a screw, and a penny — then out popped the most beautiful sterling silver ring I’d ever seen. Bright red stone, perfect shine.
It’s still my favorite find to this day. That moment had me hooked — metal detecting became more than a hobby. It became an obsession.
An Unexpected Silver Cross on Star Wars Day
Submitted by Jeff K.
On May 4th — Star Wars Day — I headed out detecting with my buddy Gary, hoping the force would be with me. We hit an old site that had been picked over for years, but I decided to check out a washout running through the field.
Midway through the search, my Garrett AT Max lit up with a solid 85 signal. This is it, I thought. Silver coin for sure.
I dug my plug, and right at the top was a small silver circle. I sighed — probably just an old dog tag. But when I pulled it out, I was stunned: a 5-inch Indian Trade Silver Cross of Lorraine, stamped by Charles Arnoldi (1779–1817).
Needless to say… the force was with me that day!
A Golden Discovery Beneath the Waves
Submitted by Morrison C.
In 1988, while living on Grand Bahama Island, my dad gifted me a White’s metal detector for my 24th birthday. I took it to the beach — and struck history.
What I thought were green metal chunks turned out to be 16 Spanish 8 Reale coins from 1714, pulled from the sand alongside smooth round stones. My dad dove the area the next day… and discovered the shipwreck they came from. He secured a 99-year salvage lease, and we eventually recovered over $5 million in gold and silver — though the Spanish government took 75%.
Years later, for my 50th birthday, my wife had one of those coins made into a necklace. The gold came from rings I’d found over the years; the diamonds from my mother’s wedding ring. She passed in 2011. My dad passed in 2021 from COVID.
That necklace is more than treasure — it’s memory, family, and legacy.
A Button Bonanza in Savannah
Submitted by Dennis D.
Just outside Savannah, we hit a site that turned out to be a relic goldmine. Over a few hunts, we pulled hundreds of buttons — from 1830s military pieces to Civil War-era finds.
Among my best: a Chatham Artillery "Don't Tread On Me" button, two Republican Blues buttons, an 1812 Artillery, USMC 1830, SC Militia… plus Spanish reales, large cents, Seated Liberty coins, knee buckles, bullets — the list goes on.
But the crown jewel? Seven rare 1798 Naval Diplomat buttons. I dug all seven myself. A few others were found by my buddies, but the site has since been shut off — and with it, a piece of history lost forever.
Sometimes the best spots are short-lived, but unforgettable.
Pocketing a Peace Dollar
Submitted by Chris S.
After 40+ years away from the hobby, I picked up a Garrett Apex and finally got out swinging in January 2021. I didn’t know what I was doing — no pinpointer, no hand trowel, just me, a Lesche shovel, and a lot of noise from the machine.
Most of the signals didn’t make sense, and the few I dug turned up nothing. But on my way back to the truck, I hit one more tone and figured, why not?
A couple shovels later… out popped a 1924 Peace Dollar. My first real find in four decades — and a total bucket lister.
A Nickel Near the Creek
Submitted by Preston B.
After hours of digging trash on a former farm site, I was ready to call it a day. But on the walk back to my truck, I followed a creek that ran along the edge of the property — and that’s when my Garrett AT Pro finally lit up.
Six inches down, out tumbled an 1867 V Nickel — my first real signal of the day.
Knowing the history of the area, I realized I’d likely stumbled into an Indian Wars-era camp, where soldiers once guarded railroad workers. I found more relics nearby to back it up — and I can’t wait to get back out there.
$3,000 Ring Retirement Reward
Submitted by Don F.
After retiring from work — best decision I ever made — I’ve had more time to enjoy my favorite hobby: metal detecting. I’ve been at it since 1973, right after getting out of the Army, and I’ve found some amazing things over the years.
But a few weeks ago on the beach, I hit the jackpot: a 1-carat marquise-cut diamond ring set in 14k white gold. The jeweler said it’s worth about $3,000.
Not bad for a day at the beach — and not even my first diamond.
Finally, a First Ring
Submitted by Stephen S.
I bought my Garrett AT Pro back in 2016, but between work and family, it mostly sat in the closet — until I was laid off during COVID.
With more time on my hands, I finally dove in and started learning the machine. On just my 10th beach hunt, I hit gold: an 18k women’s custom ring with two small diamonds and a ruby. My first ring ever — and a beauty!
Big thanks to Kellyco for the tutorial years ago. I took notes… and they paid off.
A Foil Signal Worth Digging
Submitted by Will W.
Every year, we vacation on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, FL — and I always bring my detectors. This time, I had my old Fisher CZ-70 Pro in hand while my 7-year-old son played “official digger.” My Garrett AT Pro stayed in the bag that day.
We were working our usual pattern — up by the chairs, then back toward the shoreline — hauling the usual beer caps, coins, and tent spikes. Then I got a foil signal. I dig everything, so I went for it.
My son shook the sifter… and we heard a clink. Inside was a huge diamond wedding ring — our best find on this beach after years of hunting together.
We were thrilled. Definitely a moment we’ll never forget.
Double Ring Day
Submitted by Stephen S.
After picking up a Nokta Makro Simplex+ from Kellyco in July 2020, I hit the ground running — testing it on both beach sand and park grass. It didn’t disappoint.
On September 11th, while using the SP24 coil, I got a clean 44–45 signal on the beach… and dug up a 10k gold women’s diamond ring. I was thrilled.
Later that same day, I hit a trashy parking lot a mile away and got a solid 30 — this time pulling a 14k men’s gold band from just 3" deep in the grass.
Two rings. Two locations. One unforgettable day. The Simplex+ is a treasure vacuum — and I’m hooked.