A Metal Detecting Trip To Remember

Colchester, England

By Tom from WA

I wasn’t sure what to expect when a last minute cancelation allowed me to join Gerry McMullen’s group headed to Colchester, England on a metal detecting trip.  It was one of those “package trips.”  Included was your food, room and board, transportation to and from the prearranged hunt sites, documentation of your finds and your export license.

 I flew out of Seattle, having never before flown on an international flight.  With passport and confirmation letter at the ready I arrived at the self check-in station.  I followed the instructions on the monitor:  touch the screen and enter your flight number or name.  All was going well until it instructed me to scan my passport.  I looked in the immediate area and observed nothing that appeared to be a scanner.  However, I did observe a large slot below the monitor.

 Feeling awkward and not wanting to slow the line down I stuck my passport into the large slot below the monitor and waited.  Nothing!  No lights, no sound and nothing to indicate that my passport had been scanned.  Doing what comes very hard to a male, I asked for help from the person behind the counter.  He quickly pointed out the scanner, which was located to my far right.  Placing my passport in the scanner I heard and saw the expected sounds and lights.  As it turned out, the slot in which I had placed my passport was the ticket dispenser.  I could only hope that nobody had been watching.

Tickets in hand I headed for airport security.  I always carry-on my primary metal detector for fear of it being lost in checked luggage.  I had flown before with my metal detector as carry-on and expected some reaction as my bag went through the x-ray machine.  I removed all metal items from my person and slipped off my shoes, placing all in the provided tub.  I then sent the tub and my bag through the x-ray machine and stepped through the metal detector.  No beep, this is always a good feeling.

As my carry-on bag passed through the x-ray machine all movement stopped.  The person behind the monitor was joined by another.  They began pointing at the monitor.  I knew they were looking at my bag.  Movement soon started again and out came my tub and bag, followed closely by a TSA inspector.  In a deep voice he asked, “Is this your bag?”  I acknowledged that it was and started to explain it was a metal detector inside.  But before I could say a word he asked, “Do you have liquid inside this bag?”  I thought for a moment and responded that I might have after shave in my shave kit, to which he said, “I need to search this bag.”

The TSA inspector opened my very full bag and having a desire to help, I started to point to the shave kit.  He quickly stopped me, instructing me not to touch the bag.  He then removed the shave kit himself and opened it.  Soon he pulled out my toothpaste and told me that I was not allowed to bring more than three ounces of liquid on the plane.  “Yours,” he said, “is a four ounce container.”  I pointed out that the container was only half full, thus within their 3oz requirement.  He found no humor in my comment, making it clear that it was the container size that mattered.  He then asked to dispose of it, which I allowed.  Nothing was ever asked or said about the metal detector.

My plane left on schedule and I arrived in Chicago for my connecting flight.  Here I was to meet up with others going on the trip.  As I approached my departure gate I heard a familiar voice calling my name.  It was Gerry; it was good to see a familiar face.  With Gerry were two others, Marc and Gene.  I immediately took a liking to both.  It was obvious that Gerry had given some thought to who he was taking on the trip, putting together a great group of people with common interest.

There was a delay for our London flight into Heathrow airport.  It wasn’t long though and we began to board.  Gerry and Marc were ahead of Gene and me in line.  I watched as Gerry handed his boarding pass and passport to the lady checking passengers.  Gerry was immediately removed from the line.  It seems the name on his passport was slightly different than that on his boarding pass.  Gerry and Marc stepped to the gate counter together to resolve the issue as Gene and I continued to board at Gerry’s instruction.  I commented to Gene that I hoped Gerry made the flight, as I didn’t have a clue as to where we were going.  I looked at Gerry and Marc and commented, “See you in London, I hope” and then boarded the plane.

Both Gerry and Marc made the flight.  They came down the aisle with smiles on their faces.  It seemed like nothing was going to get this group down.

In no time we were in the air.  I looked around and saw that the plane was mostly empty.  As it turned out only 93 people were onboard.  The plane was designed to hold more than 300 people.  We were told we could sit in any of the empty seats, provided that we stay in our assigned class.  I moved up next to Gene and we talked about metal detecting during most of the flight.  Gene is a gold nugget hunter, having made several trips to Alaska with Gerry to metal detect.  It was very interesting listening to his stories.  I must admit though, by the end of the flight those empty business class seats with all that extra leg room sure looked inviting.  I remained where I belonged….Coach!

We landed at Heathrow Airport at about 6:00 AM Thursday morning, one of the first international flights in.  After a long walk that seemed to go on forever, we made it to Customs.  On the flight I’d shared and eaten over a pound of jerky that I’d brought in my carry-on.  Gerry and others told me during the flight that meat products would not be allowed into the UK by Custom officials.  I was never asked by the inspector if I was bringing meats into the country, only my purpose for the visit and where I would be staying.  The inspector wasn’t happy that I could not provide her with the physical address to where I would be staying in Colchester, pointing out that next time I should have it.  As for the jerky, I still wonder if the boys just wanted to eat it so they came up with the story of it not being allowed into the UK.  One day I’ll make a point to ask.

The first day we stayed in London proper.  This gave me a chance to meet up with a friend living in London that I’d not seen in two years.  Joe found me at my hotel and took Gene and me on a tour of downtown London.  Gerry and Marc stayed behind, as Gerry was sick with a fever.  I think it was because he ate too much of my jerky.

Joe, Gene and I caught the “Tube” (transit system) into London.  We did the touristy thing, taking pictures of us in front of Buckingham Palace.  The Queen was in that day, her flag flying high above the palace.  We also got to see the Big Ben clock tower and Piccadilly Circus (square).  The afternoon ended with a traditional beer and meal at a local pub.  Joe then got us back on the Tube, pointed towards our hotel.  I was certainly in need of some sleep.

The next day, Friday, Gene and I were up early.  We got into our metal detecting clothing as instructed by Gerry the day prior.  The plan was to have breakfast with the boys and wait for our rental van and three others in our party to arrive.

Breakfast at the hotel was lacking.  The food had no flavor, but was filling.  For the four of us to eat it cost 28 pounds, or about $56.00 US.  Just after breakfast the van arrived and shortly after Dan, Scott and Jerry made it.

The introductions were quick.  We all then loaded into the van with Marc driving.  Marc claimed to have some English blood in him, so it was only appropriate that he drove.  I was surprised at just how well he did driving on the wrong side of the road.   I suspect that he’s done this before in the US, but I didn’t ask.

On the way to the “Barn House” in Colchester where we would be staying Gerry went over the rules.  Our main contact in Colchester, Chris, had these rules in place to ensure that all had a good time and that we did not offend any of the farmers, whose land we would be metal detecting on.  Most of the rules were to be expected like fill in your holes, bring out your trash and be respectful of others.  Gerry once again made it clear that any finds amounting to “treasure” we would not be allowed to keep.  Finds of this nature remain in England in the care of a museum, though you and the land owner are compensated for the items value.  What’s neat about this is your name will be assigned to the find as the person having recovered it.   The item will be on display for many to enjoy, with your name and the location found right there for all to read.   How cool is that!

By the time we made it to Colchester we all knew the rules of engagement and a little bit about everybody in the group.  Marc and Gerry sell metal detectors, Gerry also providing instruction with his sales.  Gene owns a recycling company.  Scott is a computer programmer.  Jerry farms strawberries, sweet corn and other produce, having roadside stands in place to sell his product.  Dan, our proud Irishman, I think he’s mostly retired.

By noon we’d met up with Chris, our local contact.  Chris….What a guy!  I liked him from the minute I met him.  Chris called things as he saw them, no need to search for proper words.  Chris and Gerry knew each other well, as Gerry had metal detected with him before.  Chris provided Gerry with a GPS that had all the authorized sites for us to metal detect programmed in it.  “With the GPS, even Gerry can’t get lost,” Chris said before leaving.  I wish that were the case.  Chris said nothing about the learning curve associated with its use and the fact that sometimes it just decided not to work.  This just added to our adventure, allowing us to see a little more of the countryside.

At the Barn House we unloaded our luggage.  Gene and I took a room together, which had two single beds in it.  Dan got a room to himself and Scott and Jerry took the downstairs hideaway bed and cot.  Marc and Gerry, well, they shared a room with one queen bed.  This was the cause of many great jokes, which are best left unsaid here.

By about one o’clock in the afternoon we had arrived at our first site to metal detect.  This local Colchester farmer has hundreds of acres of land he farms.  The farmer was not there when we arrived, but his wife met us.  What a great person!  We were told we could go anywhere on the property that we wanted, but to stay out of the fenced areas where the horses were kept.  I’d spotted an area on the way in that I had a feeling about.  With some quick directions from the farmer’s wife I was off to metal detect.

You will hear many people tell you, “Go with your gut feeling.  If an area feels good, hunt it.”  Another common saying: “If you feel comfortable with a certain metal detector use it.”  Well, on this occasion I had both.  I had a good feeling about the area I was heading to and I love my Minelab SE, which I was using.

I arrived in my field of choice and turned on the machine.  Hundreds of acres of fields plowed or freshly planted with wheat just starting to show, all to myself.  I moved across the field being careful to keep my coil low and my swing slow and it wasn’t long and I had my first target.  It turned out to be a button, one of about 70 that I would find during my week in Colchester.

I continued across the field, digging target after target.  Some were buttons or pieces of thimbles.  Many of the targets were lead.  These are all targets you need to dig.  In these fields you can recover lead bale seals two hundred years old or more.  The highly desired beehive thimble is just waiting to be uncovered and hammered silver coins with their low foil tone may be the next target you dig.

I worked my way towards the far corner of the field.  Gerry had told me that high ground and the hedgerow corners are always good places to detect.  As I reached the field corner I hit a screaming target.  It was highly conductive and only a couple inches down.  I dug the target and had my first coin, a copper coin, or “greenie” from the 1700’s.

I circled the area where I’d found the copper coin, not finding another.  I decided to cross a small creek and head to the field on the other side.  You know, the grass always looks greener on the other side.  In this field I found as many targets as in the one I’d just left.  More buttons and lead.  There was evidence of prior civilization, pieces of broken pottery and brick littered the ground.  Finding no coins in this area I followed my gut feeling and headed back to the side where I’d found my copper coin.

Once back across the creek I started to work my way up towards some high ground.  I hit a target that sounded good, a sound that was familiar to me while training with my metal detector at home.  It was more of a blip, but a good sounding blip, the target several inches down.  I pinpointed the target and then cut a plug with my shovel and rolled the soil out.  I checked the hole, no signal.  I then checked the plug with my probe and received a good tone.  I broke the hard packed soil plug into several pieces and checked each with my probe.  As I probed one of the pieces I heard a strong signal in my headset.  As I rolled the piece over a gold colored coin about the size of a US quarter dropped out.  Could it be?

I picked up the target and gently moved the mud away so that I could see the item better.  I noticed immediately that there was weight to the coin.  On the front a face, the back appeared to be a cross made from several shields or coat of arms. A quick wash in my mouth (yuck), I then knew it was gold…….My first gold coin!  Two hours into my first day of metal detecting and I had found a gold coin.

I sat and looked at the coin for a good many minutes.  I wondered how it got there, what exactly it was, if it was rare and of great value.  Many thoughts go through your mind when you find that first gold coin, or any special item for that matter.   I was curious to know the date.  Having not brought my glasses or eye loop there was no way for me to read it.

I took photos of the coin with my detector and then headed back across the field to find the others, metal detecting along the way of course.  In all my excitement I had failed to check the area around the coin for additional targets, having to come back two days later and do this.  Sadly, I did not find another coin in that area.

When I met up with Gerry I learned most all had found an old coin or two if not some special looking doodad.  Gerry asked how I’d done.  When I gave him a friendly hug and thanked him for the trip he commented, “Did you find gold?”  He knew, after all his years of metal detecting he’d come to recognize the face of a person who had just found their first gold coin.  I excitedly handed him the small box containing the coin and watched as he opened it.  Gerry smiled and yelled, “We’ve found gold,” as he looked at the coin.  Gerry was as excited as I was.  Gerry has unbelievable eyes.  He was able to make out the coin’s 1718 date in a fraction of a second.

Everybody in the group came in and gathered around.  There were high fives going on and plenty of congratulating.  Photos were taken of my coin as well as the other cool items the group had found.  There was no jealousy in the group, only happiness to be a part of the moment.  Sure, all hoped to find a gold coin, but for now they were content to be a part of this moment.  I knew then that I was part of a group of people who truly cared about the sport of metal detecting.  A group of individuals who enjoyed sharing in another’s great moment.  A group that I was happy to call friends.

Our day ended and we headed towards the Barn House.  On the way we met Chris and his group of folks just finishing metal detecting for the day.  Gerry told Chris we’d found a gold coin.  There was disbelief on Chris’s face as he asked to see the coin.  When it was handed to him he smiled, commenting something like, “Stonking good find, what a stonker.”  I’m not sure if “stonker” or “stonking” are even words, but they seemed to mean something to Chris.  Words that by the way he’d used them obviously meant I’d found something good.

Chris eyed the coin through his eye loop and quickly identified it.  Chris amazed me throughout the trip on just how fast he could identify a find.  Chris stated, “It’s a 1718 George I half guinea.  We’ve never found one of these.”  Once again we all were excited.

The following day we were out in the fields again.  This time we hunted a section of land Chris had recently acquired, which had hardly been metal detected.  As the day went on I dug many buttons and various lead items.  As I got to the far right edge of the field I began to hit copper coins.  They were from the 1700s and 1800’s.  After digging three coins I decided to go see how my roommate Gene was doing, he was about a 100 yards from me.  I sat my metal detector down and walked over to him.  Gene had a few cool items that he’d found, mostly buttons and lead.  I told Gene that I was hitting coins up where my metal detector was sitting, pointing to it.  I told him to work his way up there and he’d likely hit a coin.

I returned to my metal detector and found two more coins before I was joined by Gene.  Gene told me he’d not hit a coin on the way to me.  We decided to concentrate on the area where I’d hit the last couple of coins.

It wasn’t long and Gene was digging a target.  He brought it over and showed it to me commenting, “I think it’s a silver coin.”  I wasn’t so sure, it looked silver but yet it didn’t.  It was certainly a coin, which I told Gene.  Gene put the coin in his pocket with his other finds and we went on about our metal detecting.  Nothing fancy about Gene, his pocket worked just fine to put his found items in.

Just before dark Chris arrived at the site.  As usual he wanted to see what we’d found during the day.  There were many hammered silver coins that we’d recovered dating from the 1600’s and before, which he was very excited about.  One of these I’d been lucky enough to find myself.  Gene handed Chris the silver looking coin that he’d found when we were together.  Out came the eye loop and once again I heard those words from Chris, “Stonking good find, what a stonker.  This is Roman silver.”  Chris said, “I’ve never seen one of these.”  As it turned out the coin found by Gene was a rare Roman coin.  Yes it was silver, but not as pure as some.  We were later told the coin was made towards the end of the Roman Empire.  Silver was not as available as earlier in that period, so I guess other metals were added to the coinage.  Gene’s coin, well, it is so rare the museum has never seen an example of it.  “Stonking good find,” I say!

The next day we were back in the same fields where Gene had found his rare Roman coin.  The day prior Scott had really hit the Roman coins in the field across the road from where Gene found his rare coin, digging six or eight of them in a short period.  I wanted to try and find a Roman coin.  The big finds while in England include gold coinage, hammered silver coinage and Roman coinage.  There are many other items to be listed here, but these are three of the big ones.  I had a gold coin, I had a hammered silver coin, but I needed a Roman coin.

I crossed the road and began to work my way across the field where Scott had found his Roman coins the day prior.  It wasn’t long and I had a loud highly conductive deep signal.  I dug the target and I had my first Roman coin.  How exciting!  I dug one more before the weather started to go bad.

As the rainstorm moved towards me I could see that it was going to be a soaker of a shower.  I decided I’d wait this one out in the van.  We were in the middle of the worst storms England had seen in ten years.  I quickly worked my way towards the van, metal detecting as I went.  I hit an area about 75 yards from the van where I began to find copper coins from the 1800’s.  I hit three back to back.  The rain was beginning to fall hard and the wind starting to blow, so I made a quick dash to the van.  Inside I found Gene and Marc.  They’d each had the same idea as I.

I asked Gene and Marc how they were doing.  Both had some cool finds.  Gene had not yet found a copper coin so I told him about the area that I’d found while I was returning to the van.  I guaranteed him he’d have a coin in ten minutes or less, jokingly making a promise that I had no intention of keeping.  We all laughed!

The rain stopped and Marc, Gene and I headed back to the field I’d just come from.  Gene was hesitant, but I again guaranteed him a coin.  As we walked into the field I had a strong feeling we were going to find something good.

I pointed out to Gene the area where I’d hit the coins, telling him once again he’d have a coin in under ten minutes.  We then began to work our way through the area, me about 20 feet to Gene’s left.  Gene had a slow methodical swing to his detector, his coil low and to the ground.  I saw Gene stop and then bend to dig a target.  I watched as he picked up the target, hoping to myself that it was a copper coin like he’d wanted.  He looked at me and mouthed the words, “Gold coin!”

I threw back my headset and asked Gene to say again what he’d found.  He said, “I think I just found a gold coin.”  Now I was excited.  I hurriedly walked to Gene.  In Gene’s right hand was what looked to be a gold coin.  It was thin, not like the one I’d found.  I could see writing on it, though I could not read it.  Gene handed me the coin.  No doubt, it was a very old gold coin of some type.  After doing the high five thing once again and offering my congratulations I took a picture of Gene with his coin.  It was about this time that Chris showed up and Gene and I headed towards him.

We got to Chris and Gene handed him the gold coin.  There were those words again, “Stonking good find, what a stonker.”  Out came the eye loop.  Yes, Gene had done it once again.  His coin was an English 1/4 Nobel hammered gold coin from the period of 1356-61.  I say, “Stonking good find!”

The next few days of metal detecting were similar to the first couple.  We had plenty of area to hunt, lots of awesome finds and great company.  We hunted from daylight to dark, the bad weather not a factor.  I did not find another gold coin, but I did find an additional hammered silver coin.  By the time I was through with my week I had a bag full of stuff to include a gold coin, hammered silver coins, Roman coins, copper coins, beautifully engraved clothing fasteners from the 1600’s, thimbles, musket balls, bale seals and a bunch of stuff yet to be identified by Chris.  I can’t wait to see these items again in the fall after they’ve been photographed, cataloged and looked at by the proper English authorities and cleared for export.

I left Colchester by train early Friday morning, saying my goodbyes to most the night prior.  Marc drove me to the train station.  Jerry and Gene rode along to see me off.  I hated to say goodbye, wishing I could have stayed longer.  I wished them all good luck and sent them on their way.

The train ride was uneventful giving me the opportunity to take in the countryside as I looked out the window.  What a beautiful country.  I arrived at Heathrow Airport a few hours before my flight was to leave.  It was a good thing I’d taken the Heathrow Express train from downtown London to the airport, as the security line was longer than the staff had ever seen it.  I was relieved to get to my gate, having no problems getting through security.  As I waited for my flight I had time to reflect on my metal detecting trip….I’m sure I was smiling.

So, what do I think of my experience in Colchester?  I enjoyed great food, more than adequate accommodations and I found things that I’d never dreamt possible.  Every day I could count on Marc to make me laugh as we stood next to each other in the field comparing finds.  Those items we could not identify, we just made something up and laughed aloud.  Most of all, I took away new friendships that will last a life time.  As for my roomy, my buddy, my friend Gene……I suspect I’ll get a Christmas card from him this year.

About the Author:  Tom Reyes is a law enforcement officer in Washington State.  Three years ago he once again took up the hobby of metal detecting.  His trip to England was made possible by his loving wife Teri and Gerry McMullen who owns Gerry’s Metal Detectors in Boise, Idaho.

Special thanks go out to Chris:  Without the efforts of Chris none of this would be possible. Chris’s dedication to the history of England and his close ties with England’s museums and other professionals ensures that many, not just a few, can enjoy the treasures discovered through our efforts of metal detecting.

Look at top of coin - Date 1718