When people decide to start getting into metal detecting, they’re often left lost and confused, if not completely overwhelmed. This is because there’s so much they need to learn about this fantastic hobby. So how do you get to grips with the massive amount of information you need to familiarize yourself with? You hit the books, of course!
This is where things get even more complicated. What book is the best metal detecting book to get? There are so many options for the metal detecting novice to indulge in, and I’m going to break down some of my favorites. These books are perfect for beginners and even some more experienced metal detectors to get their bearings on the hobby. Let’s dig in!
How to Research for Treasure Hunting & Metal Detecting
Author: Otto Von Helsing
Kicking off the list is a book squarely aimed at the more knowledgeable metal detector enthusiasts. This book doesn’t go into the specifics of metal detectors. Instead, it focuses on the treasure hunting aspect of metal detecting.
This book aims to teach you how to find leads and virgin grounds and helps to develop methods of research that actually work to get more accurate answers. This way, you can spend less time searching places that have no benefit to your treasure hunting prospects. Helsing also dives into researching stories, legends, myths that lead to maybe finding those legendary big scores every treasure hunter dreams of.
Metal Detecting the Beach
Author: Mark Smith
Living on a coastline? Not living on a coastline? It doesn’t matter; this book is perfect for beginners to sink their teeth into. First, Mark Smith spends some time getting the reader familiar with metal detectors and all the ins and outs of the machine and craft. Then, once that’s out of the way, he dives into the main topic: metal detecting at the beach.
He doesn’t just teach you about the necessary tools needed, metal detecting etiquette, accessories, and so on. Smith also talks about tides, seasons, weather, and how these all affect the way you’ll end up treasure hunting on the coastlines.
What is such a lovely touch is the personal stories Mark adds to this book. It’s not just some guy spouting off facts, tips, and techniques. He’s also talking about his experiences as a metal detector enthusiast on the beaches, with some great diagrams and photos to paint a complete picture.
Buried Treasures You Can Find
Author: Robert F. Marx
I think every treasure hunter kind of wonders to themselves, ‘what can I expect to find when I go out and start looking for treasures?’ It’s a fair question but a difficult one to truly answer. Robert F. Marx seeks to answer this question by helping you identify leads. That’s right, this is a guide to sites where you can expect to potentially find something!
In this book, you’ll find over 7,500 sites across all 50 states of America that Robert F. Marx has identified as potential treasure troves. You’re probably thinking if he’s just naming treasure spots all over the place, what’s stopping all the treasure hunters from raiding them?
There are 7,500 spots, guys. So let’s just assume a majority are untapped. The second, and most important point, is that while Marx has done a great job identifying these spots, a lot of the leads will require more research. Some people aren’t interested in that, and so they won’t do it. This is where you can capitalize on their laziness.
The Metal Detecting Bible: Helpful Tips, Expert Tricks, and Insider Secrets for Finding Hidden Treasures
Author: Brandon Neice
The Metal Detecting Bible by Brandon Neice is perfect for beginners. Still, any skill level can benefit from the detailed guide to the ins and outs of metal detecting. This book has just about everything you need to keep you in the know about metal detectors and the hobby at large. It talks about the best kinds of metal detectors, features to consider, add-ons to get, and more specialized devices.
On the other hand, he also addresses what to look for onsite and what kind of sites to entertain in the first place. My favorite part was the techniques. He shows a few handy techniques to improve your capabilities as a metal detector, which is really handy.
Another brilliant subject he touches on is permission, which can get dicey depending on where you are. These are just some of the many topics covered by Brandon Neice in his metal detecting ‘bible.’
Metal Detecting for Beginners: 101 Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started
Author: M. A. Shafer
Beginners looking to start their metal detecting journey but are worried about where to start and how to avoid making common mistakes, this one’s for you. M. A. Shafer talks from his experiences as a treasure hunter and discusses some of the many things he wishes he’d known before beginning his metal detecting journey.
This book is anchored by his personal experience and the fact that he makes his 101 nuggets of information super easy to understand and digest. It’s all packaged in a book of 108 pages. This is a great starting point for learning more about metal detecting for any newbie looking for guidance.
Penny Treasure: Complete Guide to Big $ Pennies Found in Change
Author: Sam Sommer
Metal detecting means finding coins, and lots of them. So what you need is a guide to help you understand the coins you are finding and where they land in historical value. Some of these old pennies can be worth a lot of money. However, if you’re not familiar with coins like an avid collector might be, then, of course, you’ll be in the dark.
Sam Sommers has created a handy guide for coins so that no matter what your skill level, you’re never left guessing how much an old coin might be worth. This book is affordable and even available on Kindle Unlimited. Still, it’s worth its weight in gold, or should I say… change.
Permission Impossible: Metal Detecting Search Permission Made Easy
Author: David Villanueva
A common misconception about metal detecting is that you can just do it wherever you want. That’s obviously not true. You’ve often got to talk to landowners and get their permission to hunt for treasure on their lands, and this can be uncomfortable for many people.
David Villanueva seeks to help you through the process of overcoming fear, and understanding the legalities surrounding this aspect of metal detecting. With his guide, you will be on the road to success, where you’ll be able to talk to any landowner and get them on board.
This guide is more designed for beginners and intermediates who might not have the same level of expertise when it comes to this side of the hobby. This vital information is delivered in an accessible way with a unique perspective added to the approach.
Placer Gold Deposits of Arizona
Author: Maureen G. Johnson
Thinking of heading to Arizona for some treasure hunting? Whether you live in Arizona or plan on visiting, Arizona is home to some legendary sites where you can find some incredible treasures. Maureen G. Johnson guides beginners through the desert and teaches them how to find valuable leads using historical maps of the state.
She’s identified over 90 placer districts in Arizona that could lead to an impressive find if you’re willing to put in the additional research! Maureen G. Johnson also has a similar guide to placer gold deposits in Nevada! So if you’re not interested in Arizona or have explored all you’re willing to explore, why not move a state over?
A Guide Book of United States Coins 2022
Author: Jeff Garret & R.S. Yeoman
Don’t roll your eyes and think, ‘Lord, not another coin book.’ Yes, another coin book! Getting books on the most common kind of treasure you’re likely to find is a smart move. Jeff Garret and R.S. Yeoman have released their updated guide of US coins, and it’s a great way to get up-to-date information on what you’re likely to find out there.
It’s incredibly easy to understand and guides you to understand the coins, their history, and their potential value. So if you need a way to accurately identify coins and get a glimpse into the potential value of your haul, this is the book for you.
Metal Detecting: A Beginner’s Guide to Mastering the Greatest Hobby in the World
Author: Mark Smith
Mark Smith is a metal detecting enthusiast who really has a deep love for the hobby, and that shows on every page of his 218-page book. It’s an easy-to-read guide to the hobby and provides in-depth resources that are palatable for beginners to learn about the inner workings of metal detectors, the different kinds, how they can be used, some techniques, and more.
Overall, Smith does an excellent job of providing a really clear resource to newbies, so they’re not left stranded when they first pick up a metal detector. For anyone starting out, this can all be somewhat overwhelming, but Mark makes quick work of guiding readers through the ins and outs of the hobby. His well-crafted guidance is going to put a lot of people at ease.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter what skill level you’re at. Expanding your knowledge of metal detecting is beneficial for everyone! Whether you’re learning more about the craft or the treasures you might find, you’re benefiting in some capacity.
There are books on coins, metal detectors, the rules, where to go, how to go about doing things, and more. With so many resources, you’re never left on your own to just figure it out.
So don’t ignore all these great options available to you. Instead, go and get yourself one or more of these great books so you can start expanding your knowledge on metal detecting. These also make great gift ideas for a friend or family member who’s recently gotten into the hobby. They’re definitely worth the time and money, plus they cost a lot less than an actual metal detector which is a bonus!
