The Harsh Reality of Metal Detecting (And Why My Minelab Manticore Went Quiet
My Best Find of the Week
My Best Find this week was a Georgian Penny, a lovely find but I have probable got to used to finding Gold or silver, but back to reality now. But still it is a nice coin, check out the image below, these 200 year old coins normally come out of the ground completely toasted so it was nice to see some detail on them.
Is there something wrong with my machine?
It’s a question I get asked all the time when people hit a dry spell. They start doubting their gear or wondering if their settings are off. This week, I’ve been going through a massive quiet week myself. And let me tell you, I’m swinging the Minelab Manticore—hands down one of the absolute best detectors in the business. There is definitely nothing wrong with the tech! The reality is simple: even with top-tier gear, the finds won't always flow. This is the raw, unedited reality of metal detecting.
When the Well Runs Dry
To give you an idea of just how quiet it's been, my absolute best find this week was a single Georgian penny with just a little bit of detail left on it, alongside a handful of completely "toasted" copper coins. I dug hundreds of targets, but not a single one was a "good" target. It was a week of pull-tabs, scrap, and foil.
But you know what? That’s perfectly fine. We will always have quieter times, and we will always have better times. The secret is to just keep chipping away, staying consistent, and swinging that coil one step at a time.
The Danger of the "Early Win" Trap
I’ll admit, I used to be incredibly guilty of a bad mindset when I first started out. Right at the beginning of my detecting journey, I had a spectacular run of luck. I managed to pull up a few hammered coins and even a gold post-medieval posy ring early on. That streak set a dangerous expectation. I fell into the trap of thinking, "I’m always going to find the good stuff."
It took some time to realise that detecting just doesn't work that way. If you treat this hobby with an "I must find something" attitude, you will completely ruin the vibe and take all the fun away.
Shifting the Focus: What We Really Dig For
Once I stopped stressing about finding silvers and gold every time I went out, the entire hobby transformed for me. Don't get me wrong—it is an incredible buzz when a spectacular piece of history surfaces. But it can't be a mandatory requirement for a good day out.
If you look past the pouch, the true "end state" of metal detecting offers things far more valuable than metal:
- Physical Health: Miles walked, holes dug, and hours spent active outdoors.
- Mental Health: The unmatched peace of unplugging from the world and focusing entirely on the tones.
- The Social Side: Swapping stories, sharing permissions, and enjoying the community.
The finds and the history lessons? They are just a massive, beautiful added bonus.
CHECK OUT THE PODCAST & GEAR LINKS
Myself and Terry have been busy this month breaking down everything you need to know about the hobby! Check out our latest podcast episodes below:
- Listen to Podcast Episode 3 (The Minelab Manticore): We sit down to discuss the benefits, strengths, and hidden power of our detector of choice.
👉 WATCH HERE - Listen to Podcast Episode 2 (How to Get Permissions): Struggling to find land? We share our top tips and strategies on how to successfully secure land permissions.
👉WATCH HERE - Get My Best Metal Detector: Check out the exact machine I use to tackle the fields.
👉 BUY MANTICORE
FOLLOW ME LIVE!
Want to see the live, unedited hunts? Follow me over on TikTok where I go live most evenings (GMT time) to share the live digs, the chatter, and the quiet patches in real-time!
👉 Click here to watch Live most evenings 8pm GMT
Hopefully see you all out in the field soon. Keep your expectations low, your spirits high, and keep swinging! 🪙✨