For me its the thrill of just not knowing what you could find! It could be anything. Trash, coins, jewelry, silver, gold. Just knowing you could dig something that is hundreds of years old and just hold it and think wow I wonder where this came from, who owned it, piece of history. I also allows me to get out and get some exercise, fresh air or if I need to clear my head a bit the hobby takes things off my mind. Coins, Silver, Gold is just a bonus. I bought my ACE 250 used for $150 and I have paid for that thing about 20 or more times now with my finds and in a little over a year have $233 in clad and over $2k in gold in my first year. Take a look at my album. Just put in the time and have patients and you will find stuff. Hope everyone changes your mind.