ResearchCoin Shooting Places You May Not Have Tried
Treasure-hunting with a metal detector is a hobby that attracts that certain someone. There's the possibility for fortune, the intrigue of history, and the eclectic finds you make that give you insights into the local culture that few know. You'd think the Internet would be filled with lore on hot spots and tips, but generally the same places seem to get recommended over and over.
I tried searching for tips on good places to look, and found the same list of hot spots repeated from one site to the next. In lieu of that, here's my own list of some out-of-the-way places most people don't seem to think of. Due warning: in none of my recommendations do I advocate willful trespassing on privately-owned property; if your chosen spot requires you to climb fences and confront security guards, it's best to go elsewhere.
Inner city parks: They're small enough to cover in a day, and have a crowd pass through regularly. A spot not often recommended, yet it makes sense that an area so regularly visited would have all kinds of dropped trinkets or at least some change. Best to go early morning or late evening, and do not disturb other visitors to the park.
Abandoned buildings: Entering the building itself is trespassing, but the premises around it should be free ground. Perhaps a closed-down casino or bar, two places where people were likely to be handling a lot of loose change and perhaps not too co-ordinated if they were drinking. Sweeping around a casino that's open for business, however, won't get you anything but in trouble with security.
Bike paths: I'm talking here about scenic trails, not the bike lane on a street. If you've ridden a bike while wearing loose clothing, you know how easily things can slip out of your pocket. Quite a long walk, but you want to prospect where somebody hasn't gone before you and already picked up the good stuff, don't you?
Construction sites: Lots of dirt being dug up and shifted around. Obey warning signs to "keep out" and beware of safety hazards; do not scale fences or hassle people working there. But going around the perimeter at evening or a weekend certainly can't do any harm. Construction workers dig up all kinds of interesting stuff - the standard joke is that nobody's found Jimmy Hoffa's body - yet! Just don't step into a deep hole, or they might find you instead!
A Fair Grounds: Anyplace where a fair or carnival has set up for a week and has just left. Picture all those fair-goers riding the various coasters and thrill rides that flip and shake you around, loosing all kinds of change and jewelry. Now picture the fair gone, and all that loot being found the next morning by happy you. Carnival workers have long noted this "fringe benefit" themselves, but they're usually too busy tearing down the rides on their way to the next stop on the circuit to give the place a really thorough search.