In The Corner With Dan Hughes

Show Number 200.  A good, clean stopping point.   I really love doing this program, but after 200 shows, I've just about run dry.  It's just become really difficult to come up with new and different topics after eight years of programs.  So, I'm calling it quits with this episode.   I'll still post new shows when I have something interesting to say, but not every other Thursday night anymore.   If you'd like to be notified when I do post new episodes, drop me a note at danhughesmail@gmail.com.  Just write IN THE TREASURE CORNER. And you can remember me forever by buying my book, The Metal Detecting Manual.  Read about it at http://treasuremanual.com. And thanks for your ears for all these years!

First, the powers-that-be decided it was past time to get a woman on our currency.Their initial thought - Sacajawea on the ten-dollar bill.But the public didn't want Sacajawea, they wanted Harriet Tubman.  Okay, done.And they didn't want to lose Alexander Hamilton on the ten, mainly because he was suddenly in the public spotlight, thanks to a bizarre Broadway hit musical where our Founding Fathers sing his praise.  In rap and hip-hop, with lots of crazy dancing.  Like 1776 on steroids.Hey, whatever works.  So now it's Harriet Tubman on the twenty.  Here's the story.   And speaking of money, if you don't know what to do with your tax return money, you should at least buy a copy of The Metal Detecting Manual. 

Oh, no.  Dental check-up time again!  What good could possibly ensue?  Well, there was this great book full of treasure leads, right there amongst the Sports Illustrateds and Ladies Home Journals.  And since I was a bit early for my appointment, I was able to sit down with it for a while.  I was able to identify two good locations for old coins before the dentist called me in, and I'm sure there were a lot more waiting to be found.  (There's an exploding anvil story here, too.  Check it out.)   And if you haven't bought my book yet, shame.  It's here.

"Psst!  Hey Bud!  This penny cost me almost two cents - yours for just a penny!  And this nickel cost almost eight cents - wanna buy it for a nickel?"That's the United States Mint, selling its coins for below cost.  As they have been doing for years.  How to handle the problem?  Suggested fixes include using cheaper metals, or simply doing away with the coins altogether.  This show examines the cost of minting coins. The photo, by the way, is of an alternative-metal nickel design.    If you don't yet have a copy of The Metal Detecting Manual, here's where you can get one:  http://treasuremanual.com.  

Who designs our coins?  The Chief Engraver of the United States?  Sometimes. An artist or sculptor invited by the US Mint?  Sometimes. You?  Maybe!  The World War One Centennial Commission has bravely invited all voting-age Americans to enter the competition to design a new silver dollar.  I cover the basic details of the contest in this episode.  Complete rules are at http://usmint.gov.Wouldn't it be something to be metal detecting and dig a coin and say, "Oh!  This is one I designed!"   For a short video on digging coins, and articles on metal detecting accessories and getting better depth from your detector, visit http://treasuremanual.com.

Mr. Longacre was in trouble.  His boss didn't like him.  And his boss was Director of the United States Mint.  But Mr. Longacre had friends in high places.  Like the Presidency.  Here's the story of the man who served under eight presidents and designed eight of our United States coins, all the while fighting every day to save his job.  (By the way, that's a self-portrait of Mr. Longacre, along with a few of the coins he designed.)   For a short video on digging coins, and articles on metal detecting accessories and getting better depth from your detector, visit http://treasuremanual.com.

The year, 1915.  The new Director of the United States Mint, Robert Woolley, misunderstood the law.  He thought he had to redesign the dime, quarter, and half dollar.  So he did.  Chief Engraver of the Mint, Charles Barber, had designed all three of those coins being replaced (shown here in this photo).  He was furious.  But coin enthusiasts cheered.  Gone were Barber's dull designs, and they were replaced by - but listen to the story.   And read my article about getting better depth from your detector, no matter what brand or model.  Click the ARTICLES tab at http://treasurecorner.com.

The regularly-scheduled episode for this week has been put on the back burner because of a tragedy in Texas. Instead of one long show, here are two short ones. Part I - The night after Christmas, a tornado destroyed the home of metal detecting legend Dick Stout.  (I neglected to mention it in the show, but his dogs are fine).  You can help him rebuild at http://tinyurl.com/hmpvolp.  (For more on Dick, scroll down to my show #139.)Part II - The Franklin Mint, the Danbury Mint - private companies that mint coins as instant collectibles.  Good or bad?    I want your stories!  Buzz me at danhughesmail@gmail.com. And if Grandpa and Grandma gave you some Christmas money, you should probably use part of your loot to buy a copy of my book.  Here.  Http://treasuremanual.com.  

Out with the old, in with the new.  The old calendar is all used up, and a fresh one is raring to go.New Year's Resolutions?  Nah.  They only last a week or two, mainly because they're just too difficult.  But howsabout a list of baby steps that you can do at your leisure, without deadlines that just encourage failure?This show has some tips on things you might want to work on this new year to improve your metal detecting finds. Here's the index to all the shows:  http://danhughes.net/indext.htm.  And here's the link to my book, The Metal Detecting Manual:  http://treasuremanual.com.

They were never issued, the mint said.  But Sam Brown had five of them.  He said they were sold to him by various collectors around the country.  Right.King Farouk owned two of them.  One is in the Smithsonian.  One of them was featured in an episode of Hawaii Five-O.  And one was lost in a car wreck, and rediscovered over 40 years later.  Total value?  About 20 million dollars.  Not bad for twenty-five cents' worth of coins that were never issued. Listen to the story by clicking the POD icon up top. And if you're into metal detecting, you need my book The Metal Detecting Manual.  It's available at http://treasuremanual.com.

Question:  What do malted milk balls, garbage disposals, and coin-collecting treasure hunters have in common?  Answer:  Racine, Wisconsin.  Listen to the show and it will all make sense.  A look at the publisher who specializes in all things coins.    And for one book you should have that ISN'T published by Whitman, visit my web site, http://treasuremanual.com.

The girl who sent me the email was frantic.  Her husband's wedding ring had come off his finger while he was raking leaves.  Did I know where she could rent a metal detector?   So of course I offered to try to find his ring for her.  This show is the story of that hunt, with tips on choosing the best detector for the job, and how to set your detector up for best results. Also some questions to ask yourself.  Should you charge, should you ask permission to continue detecting after you've found the missing ring? Did we find the ring?   I think the photo gives you the answer to that question. ------------ For articles on getting better depth from your detector, no matter what make or model, and accessories you should consider carrying, visit http://treasuremanual.com.

Other sports do it, why not us?  Yes, keep a lot of stats on your treasure hunting, impress your friends! I  hope your CFPT is high, and your NUFHPO is low.  (And remember, your CFPT is determined by dividing your NOCF by your NOHT.)  Confused?  I explain it all in just over three minutes. And thank treasure hunter extraordinaire Dick Stout for these ideas.  Check out his blog at https://stoutstandards.wordpress.com/.   More articles about treasure hunting here:  http://treasuremanual.com.

You May Have Valuable Coins In Your Pocket Right Now!Well, okay, probably not.  For the past century, businesses have spent money trying to convince you that your pocket change might bring you a fortune.  But the odds are about the same as being hit by lightning.  No, I take that back.  More people get hit by lightning.So why do these businesses advertise that way?  What's in it for them to pay big bucks to make you check your change?Actually, there are a few ways they profit from misleading you.  This show tells all.   And while I'm talking about questionable advertising, check out my book, The Metal Detecting Manual.  You won't believe what happens next! 

Coin collecting has become quite sophisticated in the past fifty years.  Eagle-eyed collectors with lots of time on their hands have identified thousands of "mutant" coins - coins that have blemishes or faults cause by faulty dies or stamping machines at the United States Mint.  Books have been written, web sites created, and eBay auctions abound with these error coins.  One of the most well-known mint errors is the 1942-over-41 Mercury dime, pictured here.  This show explains how that coin came to be.It also raises the question:  Should you consider expanding your collection to include these mutant coins?    For several free articles on metal detecting and a look at my book, The Metal Detecting Manual, visit http://thetreasurecorner.com.

Beginning coin collectors learn many terms unknown to the general public, and one of the first terms they encounter is "VDB."  These initials refer to Victor David Brenner, the designer of the longest-running United States coin of all time, the Lincoln Penny.  Who was originally hired by Theodore Roosevelt to redesign all our United States coinage?  Why was that project suddenly halted?  Why was it so important to Roosevelt that the Indian head penny be replaced?  Why did he pick Brenner to do it?  Why was the public upset with the first issue of the Lincoln head penny?  All these questions, and more, are answered in the latest Treasure Corner show. (The photo shows Brenner's 1907 commemorative plaque, the basis for the Lincoln penny, and under that, Mr. Brenner himself.) Visit my website for a look at my book, The Metal Detecting Manual, and several free instructional articles for newbie treasure hunters.

Memorial back or wheat back?  Did Ike really look like that?  And that Susan B. Anthony dollar - what was THAT all about?Frank Gasparro was the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, and it was his job to design our United States coins.  Here are his hits and misses.  Mostly misses.For better or worse, the artwork of Frank Gasparro appears on more coins in current circulation than any other engraver who ever lived.    Hey, just deal with it.   For more free articles and a sales pitch for my book, The Metal Detecting Manual, click http://treasuremanual.com.

The "In the Treasure Corner" podcast has just completed its seventh year, and in this birthday program we look back at the Top 10 Episodes of All Time (well, all seven years).  These are the shows that have been downloaded the most, and the shows you should listen to if you haven't heard them yet.  But there are a couple of shows in the Top 10 list that I recommend you skip.  You'll hear that, too.We also look at some statistics about the show.  Listeners are mostly from the United States, but the country in second place is surprising - and maybe a little scary.  Firefox, Explorer, Chrome, and Safari - which are used most by downloaders?  And least?  You'll find the answers in this episode of In the Treasure Corner.And you'll find some free articles about getting better depth with your detector, and what accessories you should consider carrying when you go on a hunt, and a look at my book The Metal Detecting Manual, all at http://treasuremanual.com.  

Before electronic pinpointers, there were probes that were pushed into the ground to locate the coins that our detectors told us were there.  Many treasure hunters still use probes.Here's how to make your own probe, and how to use it without damaging your targets.  And also a warning about what NOT to use when you make a probe. (Photo is a probe made from an electrician's screwdriver, with close-up of rounded tip)   Please visit my treasure site for free articles on metal detecting:http://creativitycoachingsite.com/treasuremanual/newfreearticles.htm

Electronic pinpointers can help you find your targets a lot faster, some say.  But others say they they don't save you time, they cost you time - that if you're sharp, all you need is your metal detector to pinpoint your coins. This show looks at the granddaddy of pinpointers, Fred Wagner's Tinytec (pictured here), and current pinpointers that range in price from $13 (with coupon) to $170.  And as always, I'm pushing my Metal Detecting Manual, a marvelous all-purpose fieldbook for the newbie and seasoned veteran alike.  It's at http://treasuremanual.com.