My name is David, and along with my brother and my father we enjoy the hobby of metal detecting. The reason for creating this website is to allow us to reach out to people that own their own land and would like to know the history that could be hidden beneath it.
Metal detecting is our hobby and our interest is in the finds and history we uncover, it is not done for financial gain. Normally we would expect to find coins, buckles, military buttons and various miscellaneous items. We have also been lucky enough to find some very nice Roman and even Bronze age artefacts and these have included:
King George VI Silver Sixpence (Dated 1946)
King George V Silver Florin (Dated 1928)
Victorian Gold & Diamond Brooch (Late 1800’s)
King George III “Bullhead” Shilling (Dated 1817)
King William III Silver Sixpence (Dated 1697)
Musket Balls (Dating from the English Civil War (1642 – 1651)
King Charles 1st Silver Hammered Penny (1625 – 1649)
Queen Mary Silver Hammered Groat (1553-1558) – This coin was in such great condition, and with so much original detail on the portrait it was shown in the Readers Finds section of Treasure Hunting magazine (January 2022 edition).
Medieval Buckles (Dating back 500+ years)
Edward III Silver Hammered Groat (1327 – 1377) – This coin was in such great condition for its age it was shown in the Reader Finds section of Treasure Hunting magazine (September 2021 edition).
Edward 1st Silver Hammered Penny (1272 – 1307)
King John Silver Hammered Penny (1199 – 1216)
Roman Silver Siliqua Coin of Julian II (360-363) – This coin has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme under number SUR-7FBB98
Roman Coin Of Claudius Gothicus II Antoninianus (268-270)
Roman Silver Denarius of Commodus (192) – This coin has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme under number SUR-7FDF68
Roman Finger Ring of Henig Type II (1st – 3rd Century AD) – This ring has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme under number SUR-E03A06
Roman Hod Hill Brooch (1st Century AD) – This brooch has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme under number SUR-E075E2
Roman La Tene III Brooch (1st Century AD) – This brooch has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme under number SUR-DF6D1B
Bronze Age Awl (1150 – 800 BC) – This Awl has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme under number SUR-E05614
A full list of the items we have found that have been recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme can be seen using this link: https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/finderID/PAS628DF6B7001D3B
However, with our history dating back to when humans first inhabited this island, and with our country’s rich and colourful past, including invasions from the Romans, Saxons and Vikings, then who knows how far back in history our finds might take us just by searching the very ground that we walk on.
If we are lucky enough to find an item of historic interest and which is deemed to be “Treasure” then we adhere to the treasure act rules and report the find as we are required to do so under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996 .If the item is deemed to be treasure and is then purchased by a museum or another authority the proceeds are then divided equally between the landowner and the finder.
There may be occasions where we find an item that is not deemed to be “Treasure”, but still has some value (£500+). On these occasions (and with your agreement) we adopt the same rules as most metal detecting clubs, which is that the items value is split between the landowner and the finder. This can either be achieved by selling the item and splitting the proceeds, or if either party wishes to retain the item then it will be valued and 50% is payable to the other party. We are happy to discuss any terms prior to any detecting on your land to ensure YOU are happy with the arrangements. Naturally any item that we find that relates to your family history and / or of any sentimental value will be retained by you.
We are all members of the National Council For Metal Detecting (NCMD) and we adhere to their rules and are covered by their insurance policy as outlined on their website.
We are very respectful that whilst we are detecting we are on YOUR land and we always endeavour to return the land to its original condition after removing any items we might find.
We will always fill in any holes made and make good the area we have worked on. We therefore do not work on areas that are flooded or water logged as it is simply not possible to leave these areas without making a unsightly mess, which neither you or we want.
Have you lost an item of jewellery or an item of sentimental value? If you have then we would be happy to try and find this for you with our metal detectors, and if we do find it then this will be returned to you at no charge. All we ask for in return is that we are given permission to detect on your land to see what other items we can discover.
If you wish to join us in searching your land then please just let us know and we can bring along a spare detector for you. We would just recommend joining the NCMD before starting detecting just for peace of mind (it is only £8 a year) – You can apply online using this link –
https://www.ncmd.co.uk/membership/uk/
If you would like more information or to arrange for us to come and detect on your land then please just simply give me a call on 07891 070849 and I will be happy to discuss with you.
Having recently just taken early retirement we are available most days. We are based in the Guildford area and would be happy to travel within a 1 hour radius.