Metal Detecting a 100 Year Old Australian Stone House
Beautiful Turn of the Century Australian Stone House
A few days ago I got permission off a local farmer and his wife to go metal detecting at an old stonehouse on their property, no doubt one of the most beautiful stone houses in the district.
I took a beautiful photo of this house a few months ago, and knew that I’d have to return one day to do some metal detecting for old coins and relics.
So finally I had a day off and eagerly drove out to the house with my E-Trac Metal Detector, Garrett Pro Pin Pointer, my trusty shovel and my sifter and plenty of water, as it was a bloody hot day!
One of my most favourite things to find while metal detecting is old dog licence tags, usually made out of brass.
I have found around 20 of these Dog Licence tags so far, since I started metal detecting, and I hoped to find one today.
These Dog Licence Tags are issued to dog owners, so that if the Dog is found it can be returned to the owner, even today the same thing happens, except the dog licence tags these days are made out of a crappy plastic, not like the good old days when things were made to last.
Well My luck was running high, and just near a old stone shearing shed, I found one with my detector, one of the best ones I have found so far.
1930 - 1931 Dumbleyung Road Board Dog Licence Tag
If you click on the image to the right, you’ll see a bigger and better photo.
This is the first of these tags I have found with a clover leaf design, usually most of the tags I find are in a triangular shape.
I also found a another dog tag just the other day, this one was also really nice, another unique design, and this tag originating from Wagin, some 40km away from Dumbleyung.
I spent around 4 hours at the old house, it was a really good day, nice and peaceful, just how I like it.
I found some really nice coins, and found my first English Farthing, dated 1926.
I also found some pennys, a couple of six pence coins, some nice buckles and other interesting things.
As well as that, I also found a really nice old bottle dump, basically a big pile of dirt, but plenty of signs of really old Marble Bottles, Codds, and other rare bottles… I just wish I had a bobcat or a dingo, if I had one of those, I could get underneath the soil to get the good bottles.
I am actually thinking about hiring one from a local bloke for the day, $250 a day he charges.
Feel free to watch the YouTube Video I made of the day below.
Metal Detecting Perth’s Swan River
18 CT Ladies Gold and Diamond Ring - Swan River Metal Detecting Find
Recently I have not had much time to do any metal detecting, as my partner and I have just bought a Post Office and News Agency in my rural town in the Great Southern of Western Australia, Dumbleyung. We have been very busy doing some training courses in Perth.
Swan River Metal Detecting Finds
But last week I found the time whilst I was in Perth to head down to the Swan River for a few hours to do a bit of treasure hunting on the sandy banks of the Swan River.
Mens Silver Ring as I found it
I decided to find a new metal detecting spot, so I had a look through my Street Directory and I found a nice little spot where there would be a good chance to find some rings, relics and coins, an area which has been well used by people for the last 100 years or more.
I have uploaded photos of what I found that day and evening, and also before and after photos after I have cleaned my finds, such as the Silver Ring above and below.
Mens Silver Ring - after Electrolsys Cleaning
The place when I went metal detecting, was Clarkson Reserve on the Maylands Foreshore.
When I was there, I met a curious lady who asked me what I was doing. Her name was Jenny Seaton, a media, radio and television personality who currently has her own program on Curtin FM a radio station broadcasting in the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia.
Beautiful Art Deco Broach
So today she is going to interview me on the radio, so thats a bit exciting and a first for me.
I told Jenny I would post photos of the items I found that night for her listeners to look at.
I found some great items, especially the Ladies 18ct Gold and Diamond Ring, which I found in about 3 foot of water. And also the Mens Silver Wave Ring which was in about the same depth.
So here is what I found on the evening I met Jenny on the Swan.
If your interested in seeing what I have recently found, please go to my other website Metal Detecting Photos or just click on the links below.
Favourite Finds
- 18 CT Ladies Gold and Diamond Ring
- Mens Silver Wave Ring
- Gold Chain
- Silver Chain with Silver Love Heart Pendant
- Ladies Hair or Chest Broach
- Beautiful Silver Hair Broach – Found buried under Grass
- Beautiful Brass Art Deco Broach – Found under Paperbark Tree
- WW2 Anti Aircraft Bullet Shell Base Marking – FA 41 – Very Unusual Find on the Swan River
Other Finds
- 1945 Australian Penny
- 1945 Australian Penny
- Corroded Australian Penny (Date Unknown)
- Corroded Australian Penny (Date Unknown)
- 1927 Silver Three Pence
- 1910 Silver Three Pence
- 1953 Silver Three Pence
- 1956 Silver Three Pence
- Silver Six Pence – Date Unknown
- Around $20 in Australian Coins
- Heaps of Fishing Sinkers
- Very Old Toy Car – 1940’s
Have you lost your Ring or any Gold, Silver Item of Value?
If you have lost any Jewellery or Rings recently at any Perth Beaches, Swan River, Parks, Playgrounds or at your home in the garden, please get in quick and book me to hopefully find your Lost Jewellery
If I can’t help you, I’ll find someone who can, I have some good metal detecting contacts who have helped me in the past.
How much do I charge?
I charge nothing at all to search for your lost item, but my services is based on a reward only if found basis that is, if I find your lost ring, jewellery etc, then it is up to you what you’d like to give me as a reward.
A small fuel surcharge may be required depending on the distance I need to travel.
If I don’t find your lost item, then I don’t expect anything.
I do not hire out my metal detectors.
Anzac Badge Found
Old Timber Australian House
I got permission from a local farmer a few days ago to go metal detecting around an old house on his propery which is pictured above.
The ground was absolutely rock hard, and I actually bent my spades blade trying to dig for targets. I actually saw this old house from the road one day and I thought that it could be a goldmine for old coins and relics, but as I say, digging was impossible.
However I did find a few coins and a nice old ANZAC Badge.
ANZAC Bagde - Australian Commonwealth Forces - WW2 Era
Proudly worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces in both World Wars, the ‘Rising Sun’ badge has become an integral part of Digger tradition.
The distinctive shape, worn on the upturned brim of a slouch hat, is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC.
Yet despite the badge’s historic significance, well researched theories as to its origin are more numerous than its seven points.
In 1902 a badge was urgently sought for the Australian contingents raised after Federation for service in South Africa during the Boer War.
Probably the most widely-accepted version of the origin of this badge is that which attributes the selection of its design to a British officer, Major General Sir Edward Hutton, KCB, KCMG, the newly appointed Commander-in-chief of the Australian Forces.
He had earlier received as a gift from Brigadier General Joseph Gordon, a military acquaintance of long standing, a “Trophy of Arms” comprising mounted cut and thrust swords and triangular Martini Henri bayonets arranged in a semicircle around a brass crown. To Major General Hutton the shield was symbolic of the co-ordination of the Naval and Military Forces of the Commonwealth.
A refurbished replica of the shield is on display in the main foyer of Army Headquarters in Canberra. (Figure 1).
The original design, created and produced in haste for issue to the contingent departing to South Africa, was modified in 1904. This badge(Figure 2), was worn through both World Wars.
Since its inception the Basic form of the 1904 version has remained unchanged although modifications have been made to the wording on the scroll and to the style of crown.
In 1949, when Corps and Regimental Badges were reintroduced into service, the wording on the scroll of the “Rising Sun” Badge was changed to read “Australian Military Forces”. (Figure 3).
Twenty years later, the badge was again modified to incorporate the Federation Star and Torse Wreath from the original 1902 version of the badge and the scroll wording changed to “Australia” (Figure 4).
In the 75th anniversary year of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli there arose a desire to return to the traditional accoutrements worn by Australian soldiers during the World Wars and which clearly identify the Australian Army. (Figure 5). The recent change coincides with the 90th anniversary of the Army which was commemorated on 1st March 1991.
Read more about ANZAC Badges
Old House Metal Detecting Finds
Pictured above, I also found the following
- Candle Extinguisher? (Silver Spoon)
- WW2 Era ANZAC Badge
- Brass WW2 Era Army Button
- Decimal Coins
Beautiful Silver Ring Found
- Beautifully Designed Silver Ring I Found Metal Detecting
When I was metal detecting at the swan river last week, there was a sandy playgound for kids right on the riverbank, the type of playgrounds, with swings, slides, monkey bars and all the other stuff kids like to play on. I thought I’d give the metal detector a bit of a swing there on my way back to the car, because I know that kids playgrounds are a great place to metal detect, because the kids lose money from the pockets, when they are swinging upside down on the monkey bars, their mums lose their rings as they are playing with their kids, jewellery falls off as the kids play rough with their mums and dads… and so much more.
So it proved a lucky day, not only did I find plenty of coins down the river bank, but I found myself this beautiful silver ring, with some tiny stones and one big stone. They are not real diamonds, but I wished they were, because the big stone is huge. I feel that it may be a wedding ring, because the design is so beautiful and intricate, I may be wrong, but nethertheless, it is a beautiful ring, and the photos don’t do it justice. So I’d say a kids Mum lost it as they were catching their small child at the bottom of a slide, because thats where I found the ring … at the bottom of a slide.
Beautifully Designed Silver Ring I Found Metal Detecting
Amanda’s Lost Rings Found!
Amanda's Lost Silver Black Opal Ring - Found at Hillarys Beach
Around two weeks ago I received a frantic phonecall from a girl by the name of Amanda who told me she lost two rings at Hillarys Beach just North of Perth. She asked me if there was any chance I could help her.
I said that by chance I was on my way up to Perth that day for a few days and I would be able to do a search for her.
I know Hillarys Beach pretty well as I had been there previously many times in search for another persons lost wedding ring, but the search for that ring has been fruitless … but I never give up and I always look for it when visiting Perth.
Amanda was pretty upset, because one of the rings was a gift to her Mother from her father, so it carried an enormous amount of sentimental value to her.
She described the place where she thought that she had lost it, and I knew roughly where to search.
around two days later I found the time to head down to Hillarys Beach, and within a few minutes I had found the first ring, a nice silver ring, with what looks to be a black opal or another precious stone inside it. So I was really happy to have found the first ring. And now the search was on for the next ring.
A few days before I went to Hillarys a big storm front came through and the water was washing directly over the spot where Amanda had lost her rings, so I was thinking maybe it had moved away from the spot, or another Metal Detectorist had found it.
She actually lost both her rings next to a wire fence, so I knew that the wire would be interferring with my metal detector, so I decided to get the shovel out and start digging all the top sand away from the fence, and then wave my detecting over the beach sand with I threw in an area behind me, and low and behold, that worked, I waved the detector over, got a nice 12.09 reading with my Minelab E-trac and found it! So I was really happy.
Amanda's Lost Gold and Diamond Ring - Found at Hillarys Beach
Amanda works away on the mines, she is a geologist, so a couple days later when I got back home, I decided to ring Amanda and tell her the good news.
She was estatic, screaming out with joy and relief! I felt great also, knowing that I am going to reunite Amanda with her lost rings. She has learnt a lesson, don’t wear your rings to the beach, and a few other things that I told her and she told me!
I am meeting up with Amanda this week, to reunite her with her rings, she told me the reward and that made my day, very generous, so thank you Amanda for calling me!
Nice Silver Pearl Ring Found
Beautiful Silver and Pearl Earring - Beach Metal Detecting Find
Click on the photos to bet a better quality image
Once again I found another nice Silver Ring whilst metal detecting on a Beach in Perth.
Looks like it had been in the water for some time due to the discoloration of the ring, I did not find it in the water, but just on the wet sand where the waves were washing onto the shore. I did not spend much time on the beach, it only took me a few minutes to find it, but if I had more time, I am pretty sure I would have found more rings and jewellery, because the water was so calm, and there were good sand washouts where the tide had been, and thats the spots I have had alot of luck find rings whilst metal detecting on beaches.
Anyhow, it’s always great to find a nice ring, I also found around $10 in loose coins.
Can’t wait to hit the beaches again, probably this week, if all works out well!
Beautiful Silver and Pearl Earring - Beach Metal Detecting Find
Beautiful Silver and Pearl Earring - Beach Metal Detecting Find
The Coin / Medallion I found under an old house
The Mystery Coin
The other day I wrote about finding some interesting things under an old house (where the floorboards used to be) and said I would reveal what the coin I found was.
Well it is as follows:
Silver Medallion – May 12 1937 To Commemorate the Coronation of their Majesties – Western Australia
Unusual coin / medallion, but it is damaged from being in a high salt soil, but still came up good after cleaning.
Silver Medallion - May 12 1937 To Commemorate the Coronation of their Majesties - Western Australia
Silver Medallion - May 12 1937 To Commemorate the Coronation of their Majesties - Western Australia
Same coin but for sale on Ebay in better condition
Same coin but for sale on Ebay in better condition
Sorrento Beach Metal Detecting Finds
Sorrento Beach Metal Detecting Finds
I was in Perth the other day and decided to hit the beach for a few hours of metal detecting. The night before a big storm front came through so I knew I would have a good chance of finding some jewellery and coins.
I decided to go to Sorrento Beach, because I had been there before doing a search for a guys lost wedding ring, but unfortunately could not find it, so I go back to the beach, hoping I still may find it by some miraculous chance.
Anyhow, I found plenty of coins and a few pieces of jewellery including a small silver toe ring.
Small Silver Toe Ring - Sorrento Beach Find
No Bull! I found a Bull!
Metal Detecting Find - Old Lead Cow or Bull - Made by Timpo Toys England
Another beautiful day here today, but I forced myself to do some household chores today, washing clothes, watering plants, gardening, and preparing a wooden Jarrah Walkway I am building in my garden this weekend … can’t wait!
After I did all my jobs around the house today, I thought stuff it! I might as well go and do some more metal detecting, seeing as though I had been every day for the last 3 weeks, I might as well do it one more time… and then I am having a break for a few days.
I rang up a local farmer today to see if I could go and do some metal detecting around one of my favourite old abanoned houses in the district, and his wife answered and she said no problems, so I was pretty happy about that.
Old Brick House
The old brick house above is 300 metres from the house I went detecting at today, owned by the same family.
I only had around an hour to detect before the sun went down, so off I went.
My Favourite House in Dumbleyung - Nippering Hill
It overlooks Lake Dumbleyung
As usual … alot of these old house I go to have corrogated sheets of roofing tin laying around the house, due to being blown off the roof by strong wind and storms, and I find this really frustrating, because alot of it is buried, and you have to be careful moving the tin, due to the risk of being bitten by a deadly snake, which may be hiding or living under the tin, and obviously besides being bitten, you are disturbing it’s home, or another animals home, and that’s not the best thing to do.
In an hour of detecting I only found a couple of things worth keeping… enjoy the pics!
I found a 1943 Three Pence and another find to add to my favourites, a kids toy, an old lead Cow or Bull – Made by Timpo Toys England
1943 Australian Three Pence
Metal Detecting Find - Old Lead Cow or Bull - Made by Timpo Toys England
Hidden Treasures Under a House
Under House Metal Detecting Finds
Well not exactly hidden treasure, but I found some nice stuff yesterday at an old house which has no floorboards (eaten away by termites)
I spent around 6 hours detecting yesterday, I went for a long drive as I usually do and love to do, looking for places to go metal detecting and I went to a few old homesteads around the district.
The first one I went to was just basically a very old iron shack, I had no luck there, and did not hang around for long, because the ground was like concrete and impossible to get the shovel in, usually I carry a geologist pick ax, but I keep on forgetting to take with me, as I do with my metal detecting pouch, so at the end of the day my pockets are full of sand.
The Australian Iron Shack
After leaving the old iron shack, I headed East of town to a place where I have been previously hunting for old Australian bottles, feeling alot more confident and excited.
This old place had two old abandoned houses, the first place was very old for Australian standards, probably late 19th Century, it is a mud brick home, very weathered and very damaged by termites and the elements of weather.
The Australian Mud Brick House
Once again that old place had ground like concrete, so I did not really try much detecting, but around 200 metres away was the next old house…. this is the house which gave up some of its hidden treasures.
The house looked pretty good on the outside, but on the inside it was just ball walls, no floorboards due to termites, and as soon as I noticed it had no floorboards, thats when I started feeling a little excited, knowing that there was a good chance to find things that had either been buried under the floorboards, or to find things that may have fallen between the floorboards.
No Floorboards - Treasure Hunters Dream
Mystery Coin in the Sift
So I started detecting and it did not take long to get a strong signal, the soil was beautiful and soft so I had no trouble digging soil into my sift. What I found was a coin of some type which I had never found before, because it was bigger than all the previous Australian Pre-Decimal Coins I had found before, but there was no way I could identify it because it had a big shell of corrosion surrounding it.
I thought the coin would be well and truly damaged from the corrosion, that is only if it was a copper coin, but was it copper?
I leave that surprise to a post tomorrow, because I am still impatiently cleaning this unknown find… so please come back tomorrow and you’ll see my surprise find … (nothing special, but I have never seen one before)
The Mystery Coin Found Under Floorboards
The Mystery Coin above will be revealed on the site soon!
Anyhow, besides that item, this is what I found under the floorboards and around the house:
- 1912 Australian Half Penny
- 1922 Australian Half Penny
- 1925 Australian Half Penny
- 1939 Australian Six Pence
- 1942 Australian Three Pence
The Third House
I did find some other coins, six pence and three pence, but due to my carelessness, I had them in my top pocket and they must have fallen out when I was digging or bending over, but will find them on my return hopefully!
I found other stuff at the house as follows:
- Silver Tea Spoon
- 2 Silver Bangles / Bracelets
- Buttons
- Some Bottles and Jars
- Plenty of Junk!
Will be heading back to that place in the very near future!
Then finally on the way home, I past another old house, and thought, bugger it, I will test my luck there as well!
And I found some more coins.
- 1948 Australian Shilling
- 1950 Australian Shilling
- 1951 Australian Three Pence
- numerous 1 and 2 cent coins
The Last House for the Day!
