Ever wondered what hidden treasures lie beneath the picturesque landscapes of New Hampshire? Join us on a thrilling journey as we unveil the most remarkable metal detecting finds in the Granite State!
New Hampshire is one of the states in the United States of America which is landlocked and has limited sea access.
This could be a good thing for some people, but it is a huge opportunity missed for us as metal-detecting enthusiasts.
New Hampshire being landlocked has sparked in my mind for many years. But I didn’t get the chance to visit the state until late last June.
Last June, I got an invite from one of my friends for his wedding, which took place in New Hampshire.
This allowed me to catch two bids with the same stone. I prepared to leave for the wedding, but a secret weapon was traveling with me too. It was my metal detector.
After finishing the function, I was focused on the second job I came to do. I researched and saw where I could find metal items by metal detecting in New Hampshire.
After conducting research, I visited a site with my metal detector and discovered various items, thanks to the assistance of local metal detectorists in New Hampshire.
Allow me to share with you the most valuable treasures one can find there, drawing from my personal experience and the anecdotes shared by local detectorists.
So, here are the best metal detecting finds in New Hampshire,
- Colonial And Early American Coins
- Civil War Relics
- Native American Artifacts
- Early American Military Artifacts
- Colonial Era Jewelry
- Revolutionary War Era Artifacts
- Shipwreck Treasures
But that’s just a quick snapshot of the question!
In this article, I will discuss these findings and how you can search for these items in New Hampshire.
Furthermore, I will answer some frequently asked questions.
Let’s jump in!
Best Metal Detecting Finds In New Hampshire
Let’s have a look at the best treasures you can find in New Hampshire with their locations in detail.
Just keep reading!
1. Colonial And Early American Coins
Coins are among the most common things found in any state. These coins can be categorized into various eras.
As New Hampshire was one of the first states during the civilization in North America, you can find many coins from the colonial era and the early American times.
These coins have far more antique and historical value than economic value. But if you find a collector of these, you can sell them for a good profit.
Sometimes, you might not have the authority to claim ownership over these findings based on where you discover them.
So always respect the rules and regulations of the area you are metal detecting in and avoid any legal troubles.
Here are some of the places in New Hampshire where I found coins belonging to colonial and early American eras,
- Strawberry Banke Museum and its surroundings in Portsmouth, Rockingham County
- The Fells Historic Estate and Garden in Newbury, Merrimack County
- Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, Rockingham County
- Wentworth Coolidge mansion in Portsmouth, Rockingham County
- Fort Constitution State Park in Newcastle, Rockingham County
Check out the Best Places to Metal Detect in New Hampshire!
2. Civil War Relics
New Hampshire has seen its fair share of battles in history. As one of the pioneer states, New Hampshire actively participated in the American Civil War.
The civil war lasted for four long years, and many lives and properties were lost during that time.
After the Civil War had ended, these properties and other things related to the civil became artifacts.
Civil war artifacts include bullets, musket balls, belt buckles of soldiers, buttons, and other weapon parts and items used by soldiers during that time.
These have far more antique and sentimental value rather than an economical value.
Claiming ownership over these also could be tough. So be careful when dealing with that stuff.
Here are some of the locations where I found quite some relics belonging to the Civil War era,
- Fort Stark State Park in New Castle, Rockingham County
- Fort Constitution State Park in New Castle, Rockingham County
- Fells Historic Estate and Gardens in Newbury, Merrimack County
- Drewsville Iron factory in Walpole, Cheshire County
- Kimball Castle in Gilford, Belknap County
3. Native American Artifacts
Native Americans were the earliest people who inhabited the North American continent. After the English evaded and killed them, all of the sites they used to live in were left as ruins.
There are some native American sites scattered across New Hampshire, too.
When you travel along the river valley areas and hunting grounds, you are bound to stumble upon a historic settlement because these are the places native americans most likely lived.
The artifacts you can uncover from these areas include arrowheads, spearheads, and other metal fragments like their own unique jewelry used by these indigenous people.
These offer so much into the history of these people and their settlements.
As these are high in historical value, you cannot claim ownership over them even though you detect them.
You can only have the pleasure of uncovering these and the satisfaction of uncovering such old pieces of metal.
Here are some of the locations in New Hampshire where Native American people used to lice and where you can stumble upon some native American artifacts,
- America’s Stonehenge in Salem, Rockingham County
- Pawtuckaway State Park in Nottingham, Rockingham County
- Rollins State Park in Warner, Merrimack County
- The Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, Carrol County
- Milan Hill State Park in Milan, Coos County
4. Early American Military Artifacts
Military artifacts are some of the most common findings that you can uncover from these pioneer states, even in the other states, too.
As these can differ into different eras based on various studies, weapons, and military equipment before the Civil War period and after the Revolutionary War era is known as early American period military equipment.
This military equipment elongated to the early 18th century from the 1800s to the late 1850s.
The significance of these weapons and military items is that most of them are made out of brass or other similar metals instead of the usual copper or steel.
This is a factor that is used to separate these findings, too.
As these are part of the state’s history, removing them could lead to legal issues.
So ensure you have proper authorization from the authorities before claiming ownership of these items.
Here are the places where you will be able to find some military artifacts belonging to early American periods,
- Fort William Historic Site in New Castle, Rockingham
- Contoocook Railroad Bridge in Hopkinton, Merrimack County
- Horatio Colony House and the museum in Keene, Cheshire County
- Strawberry Banke Museum and its surrounding area in Portsmouth, Rockingham County
- Historic Fort Atkinson in Dover, Strafford County
5. Colonial Era Jewelry
Jewellery is another common that can be found on American soil. Due to their small size and various historical battles, these jewelry were lost and looted.
The looted items were then buried underground mostly.
If you are lucky, you might be able to uncover some of these looted treasures while metal detecting.
Colonial-era jewelry would include various items like rings, brooches, earrings, and other items considered fashionable in those days.
One significant factor of this jewelry is that it is all made of pure metals, whether gold or silver.
If you find something through metal detecting, the chances of it being 100% pure are very high, almost a hundred percent.
As these are part of the state’s history, claiming ownership of these items might be hard and sometimes impossible. In those situations, you will only have the pleasure of uncovering these items.
But it is also worth sometimes rather than claiming the item itself.
Here are some of the locations where you can search for this colonial-era jewellery in New Hampshire,
- Downtown area in Portsmouth, Rockingham County
- Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion area in Portsmouth, Rockingham County
- Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, Rockingham County
- The Fells Historic Estate and the Gardens in Newbury, Merrimack County
- Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth,. Rockingham County
6. Revolutionary War Era Artifacts
Revolutionary war took place during the years 1775 to 1783. During this year, many lives were lost, monuments were built, and existing buildings were turned into ruins.
The war occurred between the various colonizers and the ancestors of the American culture. New Hampshire was one of the strategic locations during the time of war.
If you want to uncover this rich history of the Revolutionary War, New Hampshire has ample opportunities and places for you.
Revolutionary war items you can find with metal detectors are bullets, musket balls, belts, and buckles of soldiers and other weapon parts.
These can be found scattered all over the state, but there are some locations where people build forts and consider those locations as strategic points.
Looking in and around these areas would yield so many findings for you regarding the Revolutionary War.
As these might be ruins and remains of old metal items, some might have already taken care of nature by decaying them.
Some might still be intact. In whichever condition you find the items, these bear a rich historical value.
Here are some of the documents that you should look for if you are interested in finding Revolutionary War-era artifacts,
- Fort William and Mary Historic Site in New Castle, Rockingham County
- Fort Stark State Park in New Castle, Rockingham County
- Downtown Area in Portsmouth, Rockingham County
- Stark State Park in Manchester, Hillsborough County
- Kimball Bastle and its surroundings in Gilford, Belknap County
7. Shipwreck Treasures
Three sides landlock New Hampshire state and is only open to the ocean on one side. On the open side, there is not as much room as you might find in a state like New York or California.
In their small area, they have experienced and encountered many shipwrecks in history.
Most of these shipwrecks were due to the ongoing war activities. As New Hampshire Beach is so small, the incoming enemy ships don’t expect an attack on their ships.
But when Americans knew about the strategic importance of this location, they built a fort and kept armed guards in place.
After that time, every ship’s incoming entourage was met with musket balls and cannons, sinking them into the deep ocean.
After some time and due to storms that hit the land every year, some of the treasures from these ships started to wash into the beaches.
These treasures mostly include coins, loot from the States, jewelry, etc.
Besides what ships carried, various parts were washed ashore during these storms.
If you are visiting New Hampshire or planning to visit New Hampshire, I suggest you visit after a heavy storm because that is when you can yield the maximum out of these hidden treasures of the deep ocean.
As the government doesn’t know about the amount of reassurance washed up to the shore or the sea, you might be able to claim all of it when you find them.
So you only need to get permission from the officials to metal detect the beach, and then you can claim anything you like.
Here are some of the locations that you should try out if you are into finding these lost treasures,
- Rye Harbour State Park in Rye, Rockingham County
- Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, Rockingham County
- Fort Stark State Historic Park and its surroundings in New Castle, Rockingham County
- Fort Constitution State Historic Site in New Castle, Rockingham County
- Kimball Castle in Gilford, Belknap County
That’s it folks! Now you know the best metal detecting finds in New Hampshire with the possible locations you can find them.
Now I’m going to share with you some tips that I’ve larned while metal detecting in New Hampshire.
The below tips will help you to avoid troubles when metal detecting in different locations in New Hampshire and to collect some cool findings.
Some of the below tips were collected from local expert detectorists in New Hampshire.
So, just keep reading!
Tips For Metal Detecting In New Hampshire
Now that you know all the locations you should visit to get the best findings in New Hampshire let’s see what you can do to increase your chances of finding any metal items.
Research
First, you should have good research to succeed in any metal detecting activity.
Good research will set you apart from your competition and, most importantly, will save you time and energy.
Choose The Right Metal Detector
You have to choose the correct metal detector for the correct situation.
This mostly comes from experience, but as you detect over the years, you will grow in experience and be able to determine which one to use in a particular situation.
Until then, I suggest you use the metal detector that is most comfortable for you or that you know the ins and outs perfectly.
Take Your Time
When metal detecting in an unknown place, it is important to take your time. Rushing will not help you or the metal-detecting session.
If you unnecessarily rush the process, you will have nothing to do to show at the end of the day.
Some treasure hunters have discovered artifacts and relics in New Hampshire dating back to the colonial era, shedding light on the state’s rich historical past.
www.latimes.com
So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
What permissions do I need to metal detect in New Hampshire?
To metal detect in New Hampshire, it’s important to gain permission from the landowner if you are on private property, and to check the regulations of specific public lands, as metal detecting is restricted in state parks and could be subject to other local ordinances.
Are there metal detecting clubs in New Hampshire I can join?
Yes, there are metal detecting clubs in New Hampshire that enthusiasts can join to connect with other like-minded individuals, share tips, and participate in group hunts.
What should I do if I find something valuable or historically significant?
If you uncover an item of significant value or historical importance while metal detecting in New Hampshire, it is recommended to report the find to the local historical society or museum, as they can provide guidance on the next steps and ensure proper preservation of the artifact.
How do I identify and date the artifacts I find?
Identifying and dating artifacts can be done through research, utilizing reference books, online forums, and consulting with local historians or archaeologists. Some metal detecting clubs also offer assistance in artifact identification.
Are there any legal restrictions on metal detecting in New Hampshire?
Yes, there are legal restrictions on metal detecting in New Hampshire, particularly on state-owned lands and in state parks. It is important to familiarize yourself with and adhere to these regulations to ensure responsible and lawful metal detecting.
What equipment do I need for metal detecting in New Hampshire?
For metal detecting in New Hampshire, you will need a good quality metal detector, headphones, a digging tool, gloves, and a bag or pouch to carry any finds. The choice of metal detector can depend on the specific type of terrain and the kinds of items you are hoping to find.
Can I sell the items I find while metal detecting in New Hampshire?
Whether you can sell items found through metal detecting in New Hampshire depends on the ownership of the land where the items were found and any applicable laws or regulations. It is crucial to establish clear ownership and ensure compliance with any legal requirements before selling any found items.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Best Metal Detecting Finds In New Hampshire
In this article, I deeply discussed the best metal detecting finds in New Hampshire in detail with their locations, historic value, and finding techniques.
The best metal detecting finds in New Hampshire include artifacts such as colonial-era coins, military relics, antique tools, and vintage jewelry. Popular spots for these discoveries include old homesites, abandoned towns, and areas surrounding historical landmarks. Ensuring proper permissions and adhering to local laws is crucial for a responsible treasure-hunting experience.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
This is all about the common and best findings in New Hampshire.
If you are someone from the site or visiting the site, definitely try out these locations and see what you can find on these items, as I did.
I hope I covered all you wanted to know about the best metal detecting finds in New Hampshire.
Now it’s your time to explore New Hampshire seeking the mentioned treasures and share your experiences with newbies.
