Don't laugh – treasure hunting is a legitimate past time that can net you cash and valuable objects. And if it's cool enough for the pirates...
But before you throw on your eye patch and go running out the door in search of riches, save yourself a pointless exercise by planning your hunt. Think about the most likely spots to find treasure and how you will go about obtaining it.
These are some tips to get you started.
Hidden treasureBefore banking became a widespread practice, many people chose to bury or hide their money and valuables for safekeeping. Sometimes, they never got a chance to reclaim their goods.
If you live in an old house, check wall cavities, ceiling spaces and under loose floorboards for concealed containers. Antique and second hand stores can also be a gold mine. Shake and tap items to check for hidden compartments and scrutinise items carefully. Sometimes money is hidden under drawers or between the pages of a book.
UndergroundBefore you start digging holes, get yourself a metal detector. This will save you a lot of time and cut down the amount of fruitless searching. You can purchase a decent metal detector for around $300 to $600 or
hire one on a daily basis. You'll find a rundown on different types of metal detectors
here.
Next, do your research. Again, this will prevent you from going on a wild goose chase. Look up old maps and blue prints to see what your local area looked like in the past. You can obtain these from your local council office, historical society or
state library. Your chances of finding treasure are higher in places where buildings like banks, churches, mines and large houses used to be.
Beach CombingPeople are always losing things at the beach. Beach combing is a lengthy and painstaking business, but it is easy and can be rewarding. You will need a metal detector, a spade and some sort of sifter.
For better results, visit the beach outside of peak hours – early in the morning or late in the afternoon are best, so that you still get the light. Run your metal detector over the sand until you hear a beep. Dig and sift the sand until you find what caused the noise. Sometimes it will be money, jewellery and other goodies, other times you will find junk. But isn't that half the fun?
Even if you don't find anything, hunting for treasure is an exciting hobby and a fun way to spend your time.
