Green Mountain Metal Detecting

——————-

‘This story follows Brad Martin from Green Mountain Metal Detecting, who discovered his passion for the hobby after finding a silver mercury dime in his change. He shares his experiences, from the thrill of his first finds to the challenges of researching promising locations and the joy of uncovering historical artifacts. Brad emphasizes the importance of historical research and the stories these objects tell about the lives of those who came before us. He also discusses his YouTube channel, which he started to document his adventures and share his passion with others’

Background

——————-

I was born and raised in Southern Vermont and grew up spending the majority of my childhood in the outdoors. I didn’t have much appreciation for history back then, but the old stone walls and foundations scattered throughout the mountains certainly left a lasting impression.

What sparked your interest in metal detecting? Was it a specific event, a childhood fascination, or something else entirely?

——————-

In my late 20’s, after purchasing a coffee I received a silver mercury dime in my change. It felt like I accidentally stumbled upon a treasure everyone before me had missed. I stopped by my childhood home and grabbed a metal detector I had received for Christmas when I was young, but never used. The very first item I found was another silver mercury dime and I was hooked.

How long have you been detecting for now? 

——————-

Those first 2 dimes were found in 2014, just over a decade of finding treasure.

Can you share with us the sort of areas you love detecting in and why? 

——————-

I love metal detecting anywhere; you never know what you can find. My favorite places, though, are where people gathered or lived hundreds of years ago but nobody has returned since. The Vermont mountains contain countless places like this, where the pioneers lived but has returned to the wild, only to be visited by the occasional hunter.

What type of metal detector do you use, and why did you choose it? What are its strengths and weaknesses?

——————-

I currently use the XP Deus II. It’s ultra lightweight, breaks down to fit in my backpack totally wireless. 

Describe your typical metal detecting setup. What tools, accessories, and gear do you consider essential?

——————-

Aside from the Deus II, I also use the XP MI-6 pin-pointer for quickly locating treasures once the hole is dug. My shovel is a very inexpensive hardware store 3/4 size shovel. In my backpack, I carry a simple toothbrush and spray bottle for quickly identifying objects in the field. 

How do you go about searching for locations to detect? 

——————-

Actually, finding great places to metal detect is by far the hardest part of the hobby. You need a deep love for local history and willingness to spend considerable time researching old maps, town records and family trees to find promising locations.

What are the most common finds you encounter while metal detecting? Are there any specific items you find particularly exciting?

——————-

By far the most common item at 1700-1800 sites are metal buttons. Before modern synthetic thread, losing buttons was nearly an everyday occurrence. Of course, coins are always exciting, but I’m always hoping to find something new that I’ve never found before.

Do you have a holy grail of items you want to find? 

——————-

I’ve had many “holy grail” items over the years that I have been lucky enough to find- A gold coin, revolutionary war buttons/buckles, the Vermont coin and metal Native American artifacts. Currently though, the next on my list is a 1652 Massachusetts tree shilling.

What are some of the most unusual or unexpected things you've discovered while metal detecting?

——————-

By far the most unusual item I have found in the mountains of Vermont is a 15g solid gold nugget. Vermont isn’t particularly known for our naturally occurring gold, but it is here, and nuggets have been found in the past. 

Some people detect because they have a love for history and for others, it’s about uncovering riches. What is it all about for you? 

——————-

For me, it certainly started out the latter, but as time went on, I had the opportunity to search older places with rich history, I started to truly appreciate those that came before us and the stories their artifacts tell.

How does metal detecting connect you to the past? What insights do your finds offer about history and the lives of those who came before us?

——————-

Most of the time we can only speculate what an object meant to the person who lost, and how it arrived in the ground, but that is one of my favorite parts. How does one lose a pilmgram-style shoe buckle? Perhaps someone on a horse placed their foot in the stirrup wrong and broke off their shiny brass buckle and it dropped into the snow, forgotten by springtime. I try to envision stories like these with everything I find.

How has your metal detecting equipment evolved over time? What upgrades or changes have you made?

——————-

As time goes on, I have started carrying more and more camera equipment for content creation. Because of this, the metal detecting equipment has gotten smaller, lighter and I’ve even stopped bringing things like different coil options and a hand-trowel. 

What's the most valuable or historically significant find you've made? Tell us the story behind the discovery.

——————-

I can’t say I’ve ever found anything that’s rewritten any history books, but in 2020 I found a silver pendant engraved with a name and birthdate of 1794. Anna A Leonard was born in Massachusetts, died in Michigan, and somewhere along the way lost her pendant in the mountains of Vermont. She lived an incredibly interesting life, and I was able to discover some of it through research after finding her pendant.

What are the challenges and rewards of metal detecting? What keeps you coming back for more?

——————-

I’ll often have days metal detecting when I don’t find anything at all, and as I’m packing up to go home I’m wondering why I wasted a whole day trying to find some worthless old metal buttons and buckles. But, on the next outing all that goes away as soon as I find literally anything from years ago. 

Can you tell us a little about your YouTube channel - When did you start it and what was the motivation behind doing so? 

——————-

I started filming for YouTube and other platforms almost immediately after starting the hobby. I try to make every weekly video something I’m truly proud of- I do all my own research, filming, editing, write my own music, etc. Around 2019 I was lucky enough that it started shifting into something I could do semi-full time and now I’m a full time “treasure hunter”, as my son likes to say.

Lastly, do you have any advice for others who are new to the hobby? 

——————-

For those entering the hobby, the prep is the key to success. Do the research, learn where people gather or gathered long ago, and chose locations carefully. You can’t find treasure where there isn’t any.

To continue following our explorer Brad’s journey or simply want to reach out and say Hi, you can connect with Brad on the following accounts:

YouTube: YouTube.com/@gmmd

Instagram.com/grenmountainmetaldetecting

Facebook.com/greenmountainmetaldetectung

Website: www.GMMD.us

Help support The Roamers Trail by following us on social media