6 Best Metal Detecting Finds In Tennessee

Ever wondered what treasures lie hidden beneath Tennessee’s rich, historic grounds? Unearth the secrets of finding old coins, gold, relics, and more! 

Tennessee is such a beautiful state that has a great culture and history. 

The state had a gold rush in 1831 and therefore, it is popular among the locals, tourists, archeologists, and even metal detectorists.

Also, Tennessee was popular for gold mining. But over the years, most of the gold has been extracted and all the mining operations have stopped. 

But still, a few gold nuggets and deposits can be found in some areas.

The most exciting thing here is that the state has pleasant weather which is idle for outdoor detecting. 

These are the major reasons why the state is a popular metal-detecting destination among most of the detectorists.

After reading and hearing the stories about gold mines, I visited Tennesse several time sand able to gather lots of treasures buried under soil. 

I’ve interviewed some local expert detectorists in Tennesse as well to capture what they mostly find when metal detecting.

According to my own experience and the data collected from experts I made a list of treasures that can possible found when metal detecting in Tennessee.

Here are the best metal detecting finds in Tennessee,

1. Old coins
2. Gold nuggets and deposits 
3. Civil war relics 
4. Jewelry
5. Historical artifacts 
6. Lost treasures 

But there’s a lot more to know about where you could find each of those treasures!

So in this article, I’ll explore the best metal detecting finds in Tennessee in detail and hotspots where you can find them.

Furthermore, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions as well.

Just keep reading!

Best Metal Detecting Finds In Tennessee

There are so many places around Tennessee where metal detecting is possible. 

But some places have rules, restrictions, and even prohibitions when it comes to metal detecting. 

These are some of the places filtered out for your convenience so that you would know where and what to detect around Tennessee.

1. Old Coins

Tennessee is a great place where you will be able to detect so many different coins because of its great history. 

There are coins including Indian head pennies, barber dimes, morgan silver dollars, half dollars, and confederate coins that you could detect from around the state. 

The coins that you will detect depend on the history of the location. So make sure that you do strong research before the detection.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a historically significant city located near the Tennessee River. It is considered one of the best places in Tennessee for metal detecting.

It was a popular area during the Civil War and the American Revolution. 

There are many parks where you need to get permission to detect and open areas where you can metal detect and find Indian head pennies and dimes.

Nashville 

This is the capital of Tennessee. There are many historical sites here that are related to the Civil War and the Battle of Nashville. 

You can find so many open fields here that are free to metal detect.

Franklin

Franklin is a small town located in the center of Tennessee. There are many historic sites here that used to be crowded by people. 

These locations would be great for detecting coins like dimes and silver dollars.

Memphis

Memphis is a city located in southwestern Tennessee. 

It was a major trading center in the 1800s. There are so many parks and historic sites in Memphis that would be ideal for detecting old coins.

2. Gold nuggets and Deposits 

There were many areas in Tennessee that were popular as gold mining areas. Most of the mines are permanently closed. 

However the metal detectorists claim that they have found a few gold nuggets and deposits in some of these locations.

Coker Creek

This area is located in the southeastern part of the state. 

It was once a major gold mining area and people still claim to find a few gold nuggets and flakes from this place. 

This land is a private property and you will need to get permission from the owners in order to detect this place. 

Tellico River

This river is a 52.8-mile river in southeastern Tennessee that flows through the Cherokee National Forest. 

This river has a history of gold mining which dates back to the 19th century. 

The gold deposits found here are quite small and therefore you might need a very sensitive metal detector for it.

Little River

It is a 60-mile river that flows through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park located in eastern Tennessee. 

The river has records of having small gold deposits. The best place to prospect for gold here is near the headwaters where the water is still and shallow.

3. Civil War Relics

There are many Civil War relics located in Tennessee. 

Some of the sites are the most significant battlefields and historic sites of wars. 

Shiloh Battlefield 

It is located in Savannah, Tennessee. One of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War occurred here. 

There are relics and historical markers that people can explore. 

And also, the preserved battlefield and the graveyards are also there which can be detected with special permission.

Fort Negley

Fort Negley is located in Nashville, Tennessee. It is the largest fort built by the union forces at the time of the Civil War. 

It was constructed in 1862 for the purpose of defense from Confederate attacks. 

Some parts of the fort can be detected with permission and a valid permit issued by the archeological department.

Stones River National Battlefield 

This battlefield preservation is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It was a site of battles during the Civil War. 

The preserved battlefield is available to detect for relics. 

But you need to get a permit and if you find anything, it should be handed over to the relevant authorities.

Knoxville National Cemetery 

Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this cemetery is historically valuable as it contains the graves of many soldiers who died during the Civil War. 

Not all the parts here are open for metal detecting. You can talk to the management and get information on open spaces and permission. 

Belle Meade Plantation 

Located in Nashville, Tennessee. It was the main site of the Civil War. 

There are many preserved structures such as the mansion, slave cabins, and other buildings that are related to this period.

A valid permit should be obtained in order to detect here and anything found should be handed over and informed to the authorities. 

4. Jewelry

There are archeological records of finding ancient jewelry by professional archaeologists during excavation projects. 

But also, there are many reports of individual enthusiasts finding ancient jewelry while exploring on their own in Tennessee.

Knoxville

It is a city with a rich history where many old homes and historic sites are located. East Tennessee has a long history of Native American culture. 

And also this area was inhabited by the Cherokee nation before the European settlers arrived. The old Gray cemetery is also located here in Knoxville. 

These places can give you the opportunity to detect old jewelry that were worn by the inhabitants here. 

Most of them are private property so make sure you talk with the owners about detecting the area.

Johnson City

This city was founded in the late 19th century and it became a commerce and trade center afterwards. 

The downtown area here still has a lot of historical locations. There will be hidden jewelry pieces waiting to be discovered.

Jonesborough

Jonesborough is an ancient city that was founded in 1779. It has many historical buildings and sites that belong to the 18th and 19th centuries. 

It was also an important site of commerce and trade. Jonesborough is a great place to explore for old jewelry.

Columbia 

Columbia is a historic town that was founded in the early 19th century. The town has many historic buildings and sites that were used by the early citizens. 

There are also remnants of the Native American culture. These places are good spots to detect some old jewelry. 

5. Historical Artifacts

There are many places around Tennessee where detectorists can explore for historical artifacts. 

Since the state has a history of being a battlefield, trading zone and home to several native tribes, it has so many artifacts to offer. 

But none of these artifacts can be kept for yourself. They should be handed over to the authorities. If not, you might be in trouble.

Shiloh National Military Park

It is located in southwestern Tennessee. 

The park contains several locations where ancient people lived and many battles took place. 

It is a valuable resource of American history. A permit is required to detect this area and some of the locations are prohibited for detectorists.

Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site

This site is located in Johnson City and includes several historic buildings and archeological sites. 

There are original artifacts that visitors can explore which represent the history of the region. 

Again you have to remember that permits are required to detect this location.

Fort Negley

This is a Union fortification located in Nashville that played a key role during the Civil War. 

The fort is open for exploration where you can also view original artifacts from the fort that includes weapons and equipment used in the war. 

Cheekwood Estate And Gardens

This is a historic mansion in Nashville that has a wide variety of art and historical artifacts. 

The surrounding area also has a history of Native American and other tribal heritage. 

This is a private property and therefore, you will have to get an agreement from the owners to metal detect the place. 

And if you find anything, it should be informed to them. 

6. Lost Treasures

Tennessee has records of treasures that were hidden by people during the war periods and by the native population. 

Most of these treasures are still fully uncovered. 

However, some detectorists have found a few gold coins and valuable jewelry from these areas.

Lynchburg

This town has records on the famous Beale treasure which is a legendary cache of gold and silver that was buried in the early 1800s. 

The exact location of this is unknown but there are certain findings that are clues that lead to the treasure.

Tennessee Mountains 

There is a legend that the Cherokee Indians buried valuable treasures somewhere in the mountains of Tennessee to prevent them from getting raided. 

So many people have searched for it but still, there are no signs of the treasure.

However, some metal detectorists have found a few silver and gold coins during the detection around the mountain areas. 

These places are free and open for detection.

Morganza Plantation 

Union soldiers were said to have hidden a large amount of gold during the Civil War at this location. The location of gold has never been found. 

However, this area is still a popular detecting location among metal-detecting enthusiasts.

The Lost Treasure of the Natchez Trace

The Natchez trace was an important trade route in the 1700s. Many traders used to carry large amounts of wealthy items through this route. 

There are rumors that some of these treasures were buried by them along the way. The exact locations of the treasures are still unknown. 

That’s it, folks! Now you have a good understanding of the best metal detecting finds in Tennessee with their values and locations you could find them.

Now I’m going to share with you some tips that I learned when I was metal detecting in Tennesse.

The below tips helped me to gather treasures and to find hotspots in Tennessee and they’ll help you the same way too.

Some of the tips were gathered from local expert detectorists in Tennessee.

Just keep reading!

Tips For Metal Detecting In Tennessee 

But here are some of the tips that I found out might be useful when metal detecting in Tennesse. 

Follow the Law

Metal detecting is prohibited in state parks, national parks and historical sites without permission. 

So make sure that you obey the rules and regulations.

Obtain Permission 

Always make sure you obtain permission from the authorities or the landowners before you start detecting the area. Always respect their rules and laws.

Research

Do your research about the area that you are planning to metal detect. 

This is important to ensure that it is legal to detect this area and there is a probability in finding something significant.

Use the Correct Equipment 

Use a metal detector that is appropriate for the type of object that you are looking for. 

Research on the best settings and the coil type that are perfect for your search. 

Respect the Environment 

Always clean up the location after you have done your work. It is great to leave the area as it was. 

When you dig holes, restore them with the same soil that you dug out. It will help this micro-ecosystem to recover. 

And take any garbage out with you when you leave the place. 

Detectorists have uncovered relics and coins dating back to the Civil War in the historic grounds of Tennessee, unveiling pieces of America’s rich past.

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So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.

FAQs

Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Best Metal detecting Finds in Tennessee

In this article, I’ve deeply discussed the best metal detecting finds in Tennessee with the areas you can find them and their importance.

Best metal detecting finds in Tennessee include old coins in Chattanooga and Nashville, gold nuggets in Coker Creek, Civil War relics at Shiloh Battlefield, and lost treasures in the Tennessee Mountains. Research, permission, and appropriate equipment are key to successful treasure hunting in the state.

Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.

If you need to know more info about metal detecting in Tennessee from experts, better to join club meetings and events held by metal detecting clubs in Tennessee.

Hope you’ve learned everything you wanted to know about the best metal detecting finds in Tennessee in detail with expert tips and techniques.

Now it’s your time to read the backpack and your companion metal detector and travel to the locations mentioned above in Tennessee to find the treasures!