Mark K. struck gold and silver at an old school site using his Minelab Equinox 800. After initially finding a 1946 Washington quarter and old button, he returned the following weekend to work the edges along an old stone wall.
The Gold Class Ring Discovery
"I had a solid 16 on my Equinox and almost didn't dig it," Mark recalls. "But I decided I'm digging all solid tones in low mode." After cutting his plug and checking for nothing in the dirt, he spotted a gold rim at the bottom of the hole - his first gold class ring of the year.
The Equinox 800's gold detection capabilities proved their worth with this solid 16 signal that could have been easily passed over.
Sterling Silver Ring Find
Just a few feet from the gold ring location, Mark's detector registered a 22-25 signal. This turned out to be a beautiful sterling silver ring, proving that productive spots often yield multiple targets.
His morning hunt also produced another Kennedy half dollar, making it a memorable day for both precious metals and coin finds.
Equinox 800 Signal Analysis
Mark's finds demonstrate the Minelab Equinox 800's target identification capabilities:
- Gold class ring: Solid 16 signal (nearly passed over)
- Sterling silver ring: 22-25 signal range
- Kennedy half dollars: 32-34 signals
Why Low Tone Signals Matter
Mark's decision to dig all solid low-tone signals paid off with the gold ring discovery. Many detectorists skip these lower numbers, but quality metal detectors like the Equinox 800 can provide reliable target identification even in the lower ranges.
School Site Detecting Tips
Mark's systematic approach of working the edges and stone wall areas shows smart site strategy. Old school grounds often concentrate finds around:
- Stone walls and boundary markers
- Playground edges and gathering areas
- Walkways and entrance paths
- Areas where students would have congregated
His success demonstrates why proper equipment and systematic searching leads to better finds.
By: Mark K.
