Ever struck it rich?

Has anyone here, ever been able to quit there job..Because of what they dug up, made them rich? ....Or what is your best find? I would have to say my best find was a Bowman Fuse..for a cannon ball<<Civil war era....But I'm still working

[Goldfinger]

If I admitted to it I'd have to pay Uncle Sam 30% of it or more.

Nope.  Ain't found nuttin.   

If I admitted to it I'd have to pay Uncle Sam 30% of it or more.

Nope.  Ain't found nuttin.   

Very True!!!....but are you fib-in lol

If I do? I am CERTAINLY NOT going to tell Uncle Sam!!!!!!!!!! They would probably find a way to RAPE me from it like they do everyone else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I strike it rich every time I go out to MD, but only in the spiritual sense!  I love the hobby!

Love doesn't pay the bills though....nope, never hit the mother load!

I have a dream I am loading small gold bars, Saint-Gaudens Gold Coins and other gold coins and items into my pockets as fast as a I can and leaving someplace with pockets full.

Keep @ it and HH!!

If I do? I am CERTAINLY NOT going to tell Uncle Sam!!!!!!!!!! They would probably find a way to RAPE me from it like they do everyone else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does Uncle Sam MD mabe he knows were the good stuff is...

I strike it rich every time I go out to MD, but only in the spiritual sense!  I love the hobby!

Love doesn't pay the bills though....nope, never hit the mother load!

Good one!!!! only if she works 

quit my job no... forget my job yes (while md) 

I have a dream I am loading small gold bars, Saint-Gaudens Gold Coins and other gold coins and items into my pockets as fast as a I can and leaving someplace with pockets full.

Keep @ it and HH!!

Do you dream this often? And just how big are them pockets lol...are you noticeable?  

quit my job no... forget my job yes (while md) 

lol

If I do? I am CERTAINLY NOT going to tell Uncle Sam!!!!!!!!!! They would probably find a way to RAPE me from it like they do everyone else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does Uncle Sam MD maybe he knows were the good stuff is...

No Randy,
Uncle sits and waits, and when you make a big find as Charlie says... rapes you for 30%. and that's if you are lucky.
There have been instances where the finder ended up with the pictures he took .....and that's all.
Uncle is not one to work. You get to do that, uncle takes, and takes, and takes etc.

Thom

I've found a few nice things that had a little value, but no job quitters.

[Hi There All whomeiam here in south east Texas . Is there anyone here in south Texas that Has ever found the " Rock Pens " ? I Think I have Not Sure Yet . If it is , Then it's is a mother load . Going on a fact finding run this week end . I am New to this forum . So be with on this one , I will be using a $ 99. Radio Shack ,and hope !]

If I admitted to it I'd have to pay Uncle Sam 30% of it or more.

Nope.  Ain't found nuttin.   

      Hi There All  whomeiam  here in south east Texas .
 Is there anyone here in south Texas that Has ever found the  " Rock Pens " ?
 I Think I have Not Sure Yet .  If it is , Then it's is a mother load  .   Going on a fact finding run this week end  .  I am New to this forum  .  So be with on this one , I will be using a $ 99. Radio Shack ,
and hope  !

Working on my second million now. 




I gave up on the first one. 

No I haven't, not the the "big one". I found a letter from Einstein taped to the inside of a book  which I sold for 1600, and there have been a few nice coins and relics along the way, but not the job quitting "big one".  But if I did find it, and it was something particularly cool (like a chest ) I have a feeling that I wouldn't be able to resist the temptation, and I'd probably be lame enough  to post it.  It would be a toss up though whether or not I called Giraldo first for the "grand opening".

I found something that made me about $2500 richer,I found a lottery ticket blowing in the wind,took it home and went to the web site and found out it was worth $2500,the problem with that was I still owe the IRS $1200 from past taxes.

I found a few nice things here and there,  but not enough to quit my job,  besides,  I actually like my job  LOL

 I hadn't worked much for several years and quietly retired a couple of years ago . My modest needs are well met with what I have  

The day I judge my worthiness as a detectorist by monetary value is the day I hang it up and look for something else to do.

I don't judge my finds by what I can get for them.

There are a lot of things that I have found that have served to solve mysteries, share history and answer questions.

Everytime I see someone interested in their local history because of something I found, I feel like a millionaire.

So, yes.

Nope.

 

Never struck it rich by the monetary standards of this world.  I'm more into the historical aspect of metal detecting.  The bad thing is, if I ever did stumble onto a Wells Fargo box full of gold coins, I probably would just set it here on the floor and look at it all the time.  Oh well, the kids and grand-kids would probably have a good time with it after I'm gone.

[Hi There All whomeiam here in south east Texas . Is there anyone here in south Texas that Has ever found the " Rock Pens " ? I Think I have Not Sure Yet . If it is , Then it's is a mother load . Going on a fact finding run this week end . I am New to this forum . So be with on this one , I will be using a $ 99. Radio Shack ,and hope !]

If I admitted to it I'd have to pay Uncle Sam 30% of it or more.

Nope.  Ain't found nuttin.   

      Hi There All  whomeiam  here in south east Texas .
 Is there anyone here in south Texas that Has ever found the  " Rock Pens " ?
 I Think I have Not Sure Yet .  If it is , Then it's is a mother load  .   Going on a fact finding run this week end  .  I am New to this forum  .  So be with on this one , I will be using a $ 99. Radio Shack ,
and hope  !

welome whomeiam, i wouldnt worry about a $99 detector, that much silver
not that far down a pinpointer, could prob pick it up
be carefull, luck to ya, HH

Retired from the Army (service-connected disability) almost 25 years ago, then took early retirement from my cop job in January of this year at 48 years old and moved from MO to FL. The things I've found treasure hunting helped me (and my college degree in History has actually come in handy) to be able to retire comfortably before 50 (second time's a charm), but I would have done it anyway.............. so the answer is, "sort of".
Unless you're really, really lucky, the type of find that can "put you on Easy Street" requires the kind of research you can only do if you DON'T have a regular job. Unless, of course, your "regular job" is researching treasures.........     

It happens, but not very often:

Sometimes it works to the benefit of the finder:  http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE57Q31W20090827

and sometimes it doesn't:  http://www.freedommag.org/english/vol18I10/index.htm

There is only one member here on T-Net that I know of who will publicly state that he is living off his finds, but I'll leave it to him to identify himself  

Diggem'

I imagine digging a hole for a fencepost and finding a mason jar full of gold coins followed by three more.

  found 1.5 million once. only problem, forgot here i reburied it. if uncle comes for me,no worry, i am originator of liars club. he-he

Has anyone here, ever been able to quit there job..Because of what they dug up, made them rich? ....Or what is your best find? I would have to say my best find was a Bowman Fuse..for a cannon ball<<Civil war era....But I'm still working

I would love to find something to retire on, and from what I've read it's out there, but where? If you do find something of great value, I would think it would be smart to not tell anyone, let it go in small amounts to not have to pay taxes, and enjoy a bit, unhassled BJ..

[Ever struck it rich?]

Ever struck it rich?

Yep, but whom would believe it?   Ended up losing it via court, <even with state government fighting on our side> which was a costly lesson to learn but one I won't forget.  No metal detector was involved, didn't need it.

There are a few members of T-net whom have found fortunes and famous lost mines, but they generally are reluctant to talk about it.  <My amigo and partner Real de Tayopa comes to mind.> 

The fact that a handful of treasure hunters DO "strike it rich" ought to encourage the rest of us, for IT DOES HAPPEN.

<"Struck it rich" Black Hills prospectors on cover of Harpers Weekly>

A geologist once estimated that only one in 10,000 prospectors (or treasure hunters I would add) ever "strikes it rich" but even so, this is far better odds than any lottery, and you can "tilt the odds" in your favor through diligent research, careful searches and putting in the extra time.
Oroblanco
 

Yes I think we all have hope and it does happen- I would like to point out something that may contribute to the mystery of the forum: It is sad that there are people on this site who all share the same interest but can't talk about it because others are "nay sayers". I bet if they found something worth millions they wouldn't just set it down and admire it. I'm new and already got questioned. So who would admit it if they did find something? I didn't find much but I was so excited I found SOMETHING so I wrote about it. Then comes along a debbie downer and asked an asinine question. If we don't find this stuff who will? I'm more than willing to find the laws/regulations/blah but frankly its a little hard to find all the specifics. I love this hobby and don't even own a metal detector! I still have hope (and possible increase in finances for that metal detector)- and I know I have a lot to learn- But all ye debbie downers be gone! If you don't have something nice to say don't say it at all! If there is another website that is more user-friendly please let me know because I personally love this one and always find the answers I need- Most everyone is extremely helpful and pleasant. Thanks to the positive individuals who keep me coming back:)

and thats my 2 cents....

My 12 Year old daughter found a Clad dime and a hunk of metal the size of a quarter yesterday in my parents yard. You would have thought she found a never ending pile of gold. It was the first things she found without me standing over her shoulder and she felt like she conquered the world. Those treasures are priceless and I was rich with pride and her happiness for that moment.

Charles Garrett wrote a bundle of books on treasure hunting, with lots of pics of him out in the field. Yet I've always wondered how successful a treasure FINDER he has actually been. He's gotten bank selling us detectors and supplies...I just wonder which has been more lucrative for him. 
The great thing about treasure hunting -- today could be the day -- for anyone of us; so long as we show up. 

The real money in treasure lies in writing about it. That's where the real gold lies.  The best payin type of writing appears to be ransom notes, if successful.

[The real money in treasure lies in writing about it.]

RGINN wrote

The real money in treasure lies in writing about it.

Are you sure about this? The treasure magazines don't pay remarkably well, (2 cents to 5 cents per word) one of the leading mining magazines pays NOTHING for articles submitted, and this is only if the publisher even wants it.  Many of the treasure books have not sold that well either - a publishing run of 5000 for many, and the author gets perhaps $500 up front and 5 percent in royalties, you do the math - and again this is only if the author can find ANY publisher willing to buy his or her work.  Most treasure books written are never published for the author simply could not find a publisher whom would buy it for any price.  I could name a number of treasure authors who never "got rich" from their published works including some of the most famous like Barry Storm, were very far from wealthy.  Treasure books simply do not make the Best Sellers List.  Quite a few treasure books were published BY the authors, at their own expense! 

Let us look at this from another angle.  Do you think Mel Fisher made more money from books, than he made from finding the Atocha?

For anyone whom disagrees with me or simply disbelieves on this issue, I invite you to TRY IT. Maybe you will be lucky and can prove me wrong?

The ransom notes are quite another thing, it is one of those types of business with a "particle of risk" involved, but this fact is present in almost any business venture.  The trick is in getting away with it! 

Good luck and good hunting amigos, I hope you find the treasures that you seek. 
Oroblanco

  The best payin type of writing appears to be ransom notes, if successful.

:-)

That's funny right there...

Had a cousin who died but he invested in Mel Fisher when he first started, He made a million when they found the Atocha. He donated it all to musuems for tax write offs except some coins for friends and family. Go figure guess he did not need the $. So yeah here is a guy that made some money off of treasure.
HH
TnMtns

Working on my second million now. 




I gave up on the first one. 

LOL!! 

I have, I found something that is only rumored to exist. It is in a safe deposit box at the bank and will only be assessed with an attorney present. Uncle Sam will only be involved to a limited extent when I do decide to do something with it. It has been in the box since 1998. I'm sorry for the tease, but I will never reveal it publicly. Good things can happen when you detect!!!

Rich

I have, I found something that is only rumored to exist. It is in a safe deposit box at the bank and will only be assessed with an attorney present. Uncle Sam will only be involved to a limited extent when I do decide to do something with it. It has been in the box since 1998. I'm sorry for the tease, but I will never reveal it publicly. Good things can happen when you detect!!!

Rich

Well, if you aren't planning on hiding it from the government, then why can't you say what it is here?  Moreover, why bring it up at all?

Charles Garrett wrote a bundle of books on treasure hunting, with lots of pics of him out in the field. Yet I've always wondered how successful a treasure FINDER he has actually been. He's gotten bank selling us detectors and supplies...I just wonder which has been more lucrative for him. 
The great thing about treasure hunting -- today could be the day -- for anyone of us; so long as we show up. 

If you can believe the placards in his "museum" in Richardson, TX, he has found quite a lot. 
If you are ever in the area, you should stop by.  Friendliest folks in Texas, and an interesting 1 or 2 hours looking around.

I found a pull tab once that I personally value at over $5 million. As soon as I sell it to an unsuspecting buyer, I'll let you guys know 

af, I brought it up because a question was asked. Pretty simple really.

How much do you want for that pulltab?

af, I brought it up because a question was asked. Pretty simple really.

Simple only because you didn't really consider what you were writing.  Let's look....

I have, I found something that is only rumored to exist. It is in a safe deposit box at the bank and will only be assessed with an attorney present. Uncle Sam will only be involved to a limited extent when I do decide to do something with it. It has been in the box since 1998. I'm sorry for the tease, but I will never reveal it publicly. Good things can happen when you detect!!!

Rich

You said nowhere that this is a valuable item, when the post is clearly titled "Ever Struck it Rich?"  In fact, you even hinted that most people don't even consider it a real item.  It's apparently a smallish item, given the fact it fits inside a deposit box, but you didn't say what size box, so maybe it's larger?

An attorney will be present when it's assessed?  Do you mean to have it evaluated to find out if it's real and then to have it appraised? 

Is it a natural item, or man-made? 

Why haven't you done anything with it for 11 years, is there a reason for the wait?

If you're planning on telling the government about it, why the secrecy and, back to one of my original questions, why mention it at all?

Basically, all you've said is that you have something in a deposit box.  You believe it to be real, but there's obviously a question in your mind about it since you've let it sit around for 11 years, and haven't had it appraised.  You're apparently planning on selling it, because there'd be no reason otherwise to involve the government if you were planning on letting it sit in a bank.

Sooooo, since you're aren't going to hide it from the government, and you're going to sell it at some point, both very public activities, why can't you say what it is here?  No one asked you where you live or where the safety deposit box is, and we don't even know your real name.
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Oh, by the way, I have something incredibly amazing in a safe deposit box.  It will literally change the world.  I can't tell you what it is, where it is, if it's real, or what it's worth, but I sure did want to announce on a public message board that I own it!!   

I may have lost a job because of my desire to dig things up...rather than show up at work.

I may have lost a job because of my desire to dig things up...rather than show up at work.

Ahhh, then it obviously wasn't the job for you, right?  I can think of a few jobs I've had that were wayyyy worse that detecting! 

I have only had one job That I quit after one day,
never went back for a check either.

Decided I would rather take a beating than swamp a garbage truck.

Never with a find, however with this hobby I have been very close.  I have a 6 yr old son, and I take some old clad out occasionally and throw it in the yard....My boy got a metal detector, cheap one from target for Christmas one year to go out with his old man.  I take him out in the yard and he finds the clad, and the look on his face is enough to make me feel like I am the richest man in the world.  Of course a couple of gold bars would be nice, but I'll stay real and stick with making memories for my boys that they will always remember.  To me ....I am rich....just not monetary wise, but family wise....and to me....that is what I care about....Uncle Sam can't ever take that from me.

uncle sam --is like the share cropper type "porch daddy's" of the old south --that had kids not because he loved em but to use as "free / cheap * labor "-- the porch daddy sat in the shade with his cane on the porch "bossing" the youngins in the feild as they worked -- he kept em barely fed and clothed in old wore out rags -- sweating the life out of em --wouldn't send em to school either --keep em dumb , on the farm and working fer daddy's benefit .--- give pappy any lip , a whipping with the cane would occur .

yes sir-- just sit in the shade and wait for the work of others to benefit you , of course if any cash comes in --" porch" daddy took it -- for your own good -- he said --iffns you , youngins get it ya'll will wasteful spend it --its gots to last--so old pappy will handle it.  

uncle sam also just sits and waits for you to work and takes a nice fat bite outta of YOUR cash --to provide "WHATEVER" service he does for folks .

so if you do get a big find---open up yer mouth to crow about it and lose a bundle , if not all of it in the process.

I strike it rich every time I go out to MD, but only in the spiritual sense!  I love the hobby!

Love doesn't pay the bills though....nope, never hit the mother load!

Very good answer

As Ivan said,
nice to think about, and even better to accomplish.
Bad JUJU to admit to.
No matter what some members think.
Pay taxes on what you sell ... and keep it to your self.

No need to prove anything to anyone but your self.

   Detecting has made me a Thousandaire, and that's far from rich but I'll take it! 

I wont the Washington State Lottery in june of 1990 ........117 Mill......they read off the nubers I got excited 2 numbers left my hands started to shake ...1 number left I was holding my breath I had every single number right so far .....then they called the last number an I had it ......I re read the numbers a dozen times an called my Dad , miss dialed they number 4 times , he gave me the numbers ....yep I won.....toys a house goodies money travel ahhhhhhhhhh money.

now before I tell you this mind you I have allways played the same numbers every week since I was 18.

Asked the exwife heys where my ticket , you did go get it right ?........the reply almost put me in prision......no I was watchin tv an didnt make it why


I was a multi millionare for about 15 minutes .an no I havent played it once since that day.

 Tank,
 How old would she be today if she had survived that night?

Yea, tell on a public forum...................................

oh she is still breathing but thankfully somebody elses problem now .

I wont the Washington State Lottery in june of 1990 ........117 Mill......they read off the nubers I got excited 2 numbers left my hands started to shake ...1 number left I was holding my breath I had every single number right so far .....then they called the last number an I had it ......I re read the numbers a dozen times an called my Dad , miss dialed they number 4 times , he gave me the numbers ....yep I won.....toys a house goodies money travel ahhhhhhhhhh money.

now before I tell you this mind you I have allways played the same numbers every week since I was 18.

Asked the exwife heys where my ticket , you did go get it right ?........the reply almost put me in prision......no I was watchin tv an didnt make it why


I was a multi millionare for about 15 minutes .an no I havent played it once since that day.

So, when do you get out ?  (good behavior, and all)

I USED to play a set of numbers - made me TERRIFIED if I forgot to buy my ticket.  Now, I only buy when the purse is high, and I always play a random set.

Diggem'

oh she is still breathing but thankfully somebody elses problem now .

   

Well, that reminded me of the guy whose numbers matched the drawing and who rushed right home to tell his wife.
Waving the ticket in his hand he said: "I finally won the lottery! 45 million dollars! Start packing your stuff!"
Knowing he had always wanted to travel, she replied: "Should I pack for cold weather or warm weather?"
"I don't really care", says the husband, "as long as you're out of here by noon!"          

oh she is still breathing but thankfully somebody elses problem now .

   

Well, that reminded me of the guy whose numbers matched the drawing and who rushed right home to tell his wife.
Waving the ticket in his hand he said: "I finally won the lottery! 45 million dollars! Start packing your stuff!"
Knowing he had always wanted to travel, she replied: "Should I pack for cold weather or warm weather?"
"I don't really care", says the husband, "as long as you're out of here by noon!"          

now thats funny 

Yup,
Don't care who ya are !