Michigan Treasure Hunters

1. MTH meets the 4th Tuesday of each month February though November at Faith Lutheran Church at 7:30 p.m.

2. There is no smoking allowed in the building.

3. Our newsletter "The Prober" is mailed each month to members & posted on this web site. A complimentary copy will be sent to our quests.

4. Hunts: MTH sponsors various hunts throughout the year for MTH members only. Some of the hunts are the Spring Warm-Up, Fishbowl, Token hunts, mini hunts, & Fall Hunts.

Token Hunts: Michigan Treasure Hunters Club puts on a planted hunt every month (excluding winter).The event is usually held rain or shine and is announced in the Prober newsletter. The person who found the "token" (a large round brass disk with MTH on it) from the previous month's hunt has to put on the hunt for the following month. The club provides the silver coins (usually half dollars, quarters, dimes) to be planted. There is a $2.00 entry fee for registered club members who are required to sign an entry log. The attendance from the previous hunt usually dictates how much silver will be available, since the money from previous hunts is used to purchase the next hunts silver coins. The huntmaster for the month may add to the pot provided by the club with additional coins and provide prizes at their own discretion/expense. The huntmaster is responsible for choosing a permissable hunt area, staking it out, conducting the hunt, keeping the entry log and fees, and ensuring that all holes are filled and the grounds in good shape at the end of the hunt. The huntmaster then appears at the next monthly club meeting, turns in the log and monies collected, and receives a gold coin (usually a $2 peso) for his/her efforts. The token hunts can be a lot of fun-especially if huntmasters add to the pot with coins and prizes, and select hunt areas that have additional potential for finds. Attendees often arrive early and stay after the hunt if the park promises some good detecting in addition to the hunt. The coins are usually buried at a depth of 3 inches or less. A knife cut can be made and the coins inserted into the slits. The trick is to make the slits inconspicuous so as not to be a give away to searchers. Some look just for the slit marks and don't even have to swing the coil much. The club also has specially designed "coin planters" that can be borrowed . They allow you to make the slit, lift up the plug a little and roll the coin through a hollow handle down into the hole. You just step on the plug to conceal it, and you are done. No bending over to dig. They won't handle a half dollar though. Two methods of starting the hunt are to line everyone up along the perimeters of the staked out area before calling the start, or to allow everyone into the hunt area where they want to be (with detector coils in the air) and then calling a start. The hunt usually lasts until everything is found within a reasonable amount of time. The huntmaster may announce how many coins are still outstanding if a running count has been kept and then calls the end to the hunt. Etiquette of course dictates that members not set up lawn chairs to watch the coins being buried or wander around the planted area with live coils before star time (LOL).

5. A Fishbowl is passed at each meeting for members to donate money to be buried in October for our annual Fishbowl Hunt. Everything collected will be buried.

6. Find of the Month - Each month from March to November members enter their best finds they have found since the last meeting. They may enter only one item in each of four categories COINS, TOKENS, JEWELRY, and RELICS. You must be a paid up member for at least one month to enter your find. During the break, everyone, including quests, are invited to vote for the item in each category they feel is the best find. Winners are awarded plaques for 1st place and are eligible to receive the silver Winners Circle award at our January Banquet. Ribbons are awarded to 2nd and 3rd place finishes.

Find of the Month Rules (click on this line)

7. Refreshments are free to all members and quests during the break. There is a donation canister for those wishing to contribute.

8. Members and quests alike are welcome to purchase raffle tickets. The 50/50 tickets are 2 for a dollar. Half the proceeds go to the club; the other half is split into 2 equal prizes for the lucky winners. MTH also has a gold and silver coin raffle. A gold coin, silver dollar and silver half are raffled - tickets are a dollar.

9. Club Merchandise for sale. We have hats, T- shirts, coffee mugs, jackets, and sweat shirts etc, all with the MTH logo. MTH also sells copies of old county atlases that are very helpful in finding old treasure sites. In order for all members to get to know each other name tags are sold. Proceeds from the raffles and merchandise sales help to pay club expenses and keep our dues low.

10. Library - The club has an extensive collection of books and magazines relating to treasure hunting that our members can enjoy. Some may be checked out while others are for reference only at club meetings.

11. Members draw - each month MTH has a membership draw. If your membership number is drawn and you are present and wearing your name tag you win a silver half dollar. If you aren't wearing a name tag you receive a silver quarter. Numbers are draw until a winner is present.

Inside our meeting place.