MTtrashdigger
Elite Member
I haven't posted much over the past few months, I just haven't found much worth posting. And besides, I just can't keep up with LTS . But on Sunday I decided to comb over an area of a park I have hunted extensively that has given up some teen wheaties and a few older trinkets. I figured it was a relic day and I was digging mid tone junk and nickels. A solid but relatively shallow 18 hit my ears and I figured it was another aluminum screw cap, or folded can slaw like these signals always are. I dug it and saw the gold peeking out and I quickly pulled out my phone and took a couple of pics-- just in case. when I dug it out, I had in my hand maybe the largest gold ring I have ever seen, much less held. I laid it down, took another pic, stuffed it in my pocket, filled in the hole and went back to my dig rig. Once in the drivers seat, I took a better look, It was a high school debate team ring from a local high school and the owner's full name was clearly engraved on the inside of the band. After seeing that, I knew I had to return it. After all, it had to be of sentimental value, right?
In less than 5 minutes of Facebook and LinkedIn sleuthing, I had a business phone number for the ring's owner. He lived in a town a couple hundred miles away. Being Sunday, I figured I would call him on Monday, tell him the story of finding his ring, he would be elated and we could arrange for a future meeting to return his ring.
Well, Monday morning, I called his number and he answered. I told him I was a metal detectorist and that I had found something that I was sure belonged to him. I described the ring, the markings and where I had found it. He told me he didn't remember ever being at that particular park, didn't remember losing it or even having it and must have lost it while he was still in high school, some 22 years ago. But, it was obviously his, and he said " I guess I would like to have it".
He told me his father still lived in my town and that he would contact me and arrange to get it. He then remarked that this was one of the weirdest phone calls he has received and politely told me he had to get back to work.
Later in the day, I got a text from his father, saying he would like to arrange to get the ring. He gave me his address and told me if he wasn't there, to just leave it on his steps. Well, It is still on my desk and it might stay there for a while.
Maybe I expect too much, but this was a disappointing experience.
BTW, the ring weighs 295 grains on my reloading scale, which translates to 19.1 grams. It's its 10k and has a melt value of about $450.00. I will eventually return it but I see no reason to get in a hurry about it.
In less than 5 minutes of Facebook and LinkedIn sleuthing, I had a business phone number for the ring's owner. He lived in a town a couple hundred miles away. Being Sunday, I figured I would call him on Monday, tell him the story of finding his ring, he would be elated and we could arrange for a future meeting to return his ring.
Well, Monday morning, I called his number and he answered. I told him I was a metal detectorist and that I had found something that I was sure belonged to him. I described the ring, the markings and where I had found it. He told me he didn't remember ever being at that particular park, didn't remember losing it or even having it and must have lost it while he was still in high school, some 22 years ago. But, it was obviously his, and he said " I guess I would like to have it".
He told me his father still lived in my town and that he would contact me and arrange to get it. He then remarked that this was one of the weirdest phone calls he has received and politely told me he had to get back to work.
Later in the day, I got a text from his father, saying he would like to arrange to get the ring. He gave me his address and told me if he wasn't there, to just leave it on his steps. Well, It is still on my desk and it might stay there for a while.
Maybe I expect too much, but this was a disappointing experience.
BTW, the ring weighs 295 grains on my reloading scale, which translates to 19.1 grams. It's its 10k and has a melt value of about $450.00. I will eventually return it but I see no reason to get in a hurry about it.