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During my coinhunting experiences, I have observed a phenomenon, which I think takes place around all metals in the soil, not just single coins.
What I’ve observed is this: I’ve observed this only on older coins, which might come from a depth (in the soil) of 5 or more inches. (I’m speaking now of a metal detector that does not indicate target depth.) The initial signal that I hear is clear and sharp, and would initially suggest a target that is either bigger than a Dime or Penny, or possibly a target that is only 2 to 3 inches in depth. Upon digging the initial plug, the target is not found, and when checking the hole, the signal seems weaker, but still in the center of the hole. Then, upon carefully stirring the dirt in the bottom of the hole, an older coin is found (perhaps a rather thin Silver dime). At the depth where the coin originally resided (assuming it didn’t fall down from the side of the first cut), the detector reading is much weaker than the original one, now that the surrounding soil has been disturbed. I have observed this phenomenon on many occasions.
To me this suggests that there is some type of “chemical action”, which takes place around a long-time buried coin (or any metal) when placed in the soil. This action seems to be a “leaching” out of the metal, into the surrounding soil, such that the soil itself takes on the appearance of the metal. It is my belief that the original signal from a metal detector appears to be “bigger” because of this “leaching” out of the metal into the soil. Of course once the soil is disturbed, the field or halo is disturbed and it no longer provides the same intensity of signal because now, all that is left is the mass of the coin itself.
I’m fairly certain that this same phenomenon occurs on larger masses of buried metals as well. A few years back, Dr. Manuel Ortiz called this “field” F.E.R.F. I believe this was his term, which stood for Free Electron Radiation Field. Probably other researchers have observed the same phenomenon, and termed it something else, but it had the same derivation. I’m sure that when people bury “test targets”, and say that they must “age” for awhile –it is this “field” that is being generated over time.
I’m familiar with, and have studied, the general corrosion processes, which take place in the soil around refined (Iron and Steel) metals and the Less Noble metals.
My questions are in regards to the More Noble Metals, when they are situated in the soil. Metal such as Gold, Silver and even Copper. I’d like to find a logical, perhaps chemical or electrochemical explanation for what happens around Noble Metals in the soil. What processes are involved? Are they electrical in nature, or chemical, or perhaps electrochemical? Is it a migration of ions, or electrons (or neither or both)? Is radiation from the Sun involved? Do other Less Noble Metals in the same vicinity play a part in the process? What part does soil conductivity and soil moisture play in this action?
If anyone knows of any sources of information, I would appreciate any info or recommendations of book references (or the like) that I might find in a university library.
What I’ve observed is this: I’ve observed this only on older coins, which might come from a depth (in the soil) of 5 or more inches. (I’m speaking now of a metal detector that does not indicate target depth.) The initial signal that I hear is clear and sharp, and would initially suggest a target that is either bigger than a Dime or Penny, or possibly a target that is only 2 to 3 inches in depth. Upon digging the initial plug, the target is not found, and when checking the hole, the signal seems weaker, but still in the center of the hole. Then, upon carefully stirring the dirt in the bottom of the hole, an older coin is found (perhaps a rather thin Silver dime). At the depth where the coin originally resided (assuming it didn’t fall down from the side of the first cut), the detector reading is much weaker than the original one, now that the surrounding soil has been disturbed. I have observed this phenomenon on many occasions.
To me this suggests that there is some type of “chemical action”, which takes place around a long-time buried coin (or any metal) when placed in the soil. This action seems to be a “leaching” out of the metal, into the surrounding soil, such that the soil itself takes on the appearance of the metal. It is my belief that the original signal from a metal detector appears to be “bigger” because of this “leaching” out of the metal into the soil. Of course once the soil is disturbed, the field or halo is disturbed and it no longer provides the same intensity of signal because now, all that is left is the mass of the coin itself.
I’m fairly certain that this same phenomenon occurs on larger masses of buried metals as well. A few years back, Dr. Manuel Ortiz called this “field” F.E.R.F. I believe this was his term, which stood for Free Electron Radiation Field. Probably other researchers have observed the same phenomenon, and termed it something else, but it had the same derivation. I’m sure that when people bury “test targets”, and say that they must “age” for awhile –it is this “field” that is being generated over time.
I’m familiar with, and have studied, the general corrosion processes, which take place in the soil around refined (Iron and Steel) metals and the Less Noble metals.
My questions are in regards to the More Noble Metals, when they are situated in the soil. Metal such as Gold, Silver and even Copper. I’d like to find a logical, perhaps chemical or electrochemical explanation for what happens around Noble Metals in the soil. What processes are involved? Are they electrical in nature, or chemical, or perhaps electrochemical? Is it a migration of ions, or electrons (or neither or both)? Is radiation from the Sun involved? Do other Less Noble Metals in the same vicinity play a part in the process? What part does soil conductivity and soil moisture play in this action?
If anyone knows of any sources of information, I would appreciate any info or recommendations of book references (or the like) that I might find in a university library.
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