Metal Detecting and relic hunting

Has anyone here done the above?

 

we see a few Thais and farrangs on the beaches with what look similar to the mine detectors i used in the Engineers looking for coins, jewellery and watches the tourists have lost also in the Goldfields in Australia though Ground radar is in vogue with the serious treasure seekers
good hunting Brian

 

Go to the Cata-al WW2 Museum in Valencia. The owner invited us to go with him, one time, on one of his "digs". Many of the items in his museum he found in the battlegrounds there. He is super knowledgeable and enjoys educating everyone.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/cataal-world-war-ii-museum

 

It’s a peculiar Filipino obsession, Yamashita’s treasure. Mid way between a contagious rash and simple silliness I’ve seen men lose their lives over it here in the Phils. One adult nephew of mine had a dream Yamashita’s treasure was buried on a project we were fiddling about with. Next thing you know a 20ft hole appeared next to it. There it sat for months until a dog fell into it, died and stank the place out. I ordered him to fill it in or burn the hole. Problem solved. I was in Duma the day he had over ripe pooch bbq.

Another distant relative, with the connivance of another distant relly started a project digging for Yamashita’s gold about 7m from the high tide reach on the beach near us. Full security, barbed wire, fencing, low grade mining equipment, round the clock staff - and he engaged the services of 3 ‘mineros’ (read unemployed layabouts). It went on for months, no-one got paid, just promises of a share. Food, board on site, a few bevvies on weekends.

Now at the bottom of every mine in the world you will find a Cornishman. It’s in our blood. I’m no miner for sure but I warned this (very) distant relative that going underground within a 5 year olds stones throw of the ocean was begging for trouble. All that nearby pressure of water would cause a cave in and people would die.

I was told to remove myself in short jerky movements in no uncertain terms. The rash/silliness had a hold. I never saw the hole/pit/mine as it was zealously hidden. Probably this distant relly thought that I might want his treasure if he abandoned the project. Anyway, as predicted the hole collapsed from the seaward side and beneath tons of rubble, seawater and mud three died. Took ages to recover the bodies. No justice either, the relly and his accomplice scuttled off to Mindanao whilst the scandal blew over. He died in considerable pain and very slowly some months later (like I was gonna help) from chronic disease complications. His accomplice still swans about and has been involved in similar projects.

The advice here is be careful. Legends like this can be acute, contagious and often fatal. Go wandering about with a metal detector and some Red Horsed up karaoke standaround psycho warrior will put 2+2 together and come up with Yamashita’s bullion. That’s a recipe for disaster.

Cheers,

C

 

I have a Garrett AT Pro that I had used on the beaches here in Korea (more soju and beer caps than coins unfortunately). I sent it home after my last project but haven't had the chance to use it yet. There is a small beach not too far from where we live that I plan to hit when I'm home in Feb. It's a fun little hobby.

I agree with okiebound, that museum in Valencia is pretty cool and the guy is quite interesting to talk with.

Shawn

 

Yes, I've been there... and in mountains in shrine area.. Just found junk or nothing around caves.

 

Beach combing is a bit of fun; mostly bottle caps and junk but at the end of the day you are cleaning the beach a bit. A relic venture would take some local help I assume, but wouldn't it be cool to find something from WWII?

 

Like an unexploded bomb?