Ripcode’s Adventures

06/19/2026

I had another successful day hunting curb strips! 😊

Lately I’ve been putting a lot of time into research before I ever swing the detector. I’m using old maps, Historic Aerials, OnX, and Zillow to learn more about the areas I’m hunting and the homes near the curb strips.

The extra homework is starting to pay off! 👍🏼

🔎 Finds from the day:
• 1958 wheat penny
• 1951 wheat penny
• 1942 wheat penny
• Part of a Zippo lighter — my first Zippo find!

I sent the broken lighter to the Zippo Repair Clinic since Zippo offers a lifetime repair/replacement warranty. I’ll be sure to post an update when it comes back!

💍 Find of the Day:
A Clark & Coombs Co. hallmarked sterling silver ring!

The hallmark dates this ring to the 1920s, making it nearly a century old. Clark & Coombs was a jewelry manufacturer based in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that produced gold, gold-filled, and sterling silver jewelry from 1872 until 1988.

Finding a piece of jewelry with that much history behind it is what makes curb strip hunting so much fun!

All found with the Minelab Manticore w/ M9 coil.

06/18/2026

Do you remember your first metal detector? I sure do!

It was a Garrett GTA 1000, just like the one in the pictures below.

Back in 1998, I used money from a bonus check to buy it. The price was about $600, which is the equivalent of about $1,225 today. 😮

At the time, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing! But I managed to find a few coins that I still have to this day:
• Mercury Dime
• Washington Quarter
• Shield Nickel

Those finds may not seem like much now, but they meant the world to me. I was starting to learn the machine and getting hooked on the hobby.

Then life happened.

I went through a divorce, lost my job, dealt with bankruptcy, and had to sell off a lot of things—including my detector. 🥲

Thankfully, that wasn’t the end of the story.

Years later, I married Mrs. Ripcode, and life got better… much better. ❤️

Then in 2023, a coworker mentioned he was selling a detector and asked if I was interested. I picked up a Garrett Ace 300 and instantly caught the detecting bug all over again!

Since then, there has been a whirlwind of detectors bought and sold:

• Garrett Ace 300 — Sold
• Garrett AT Max — Now a backup machine
• Garrett Apex — Sold
• Equinox 900 — Mrs. Ripcode’s machine
• Manticore — My current detector

I absolutely love the Manticore, but there will always be something special about that first detector that started it all. 😊

So, what was your first metal detector? I’d love to hear your story!

06/18/2026

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! 👋🏼

Sherief Abouelseoud, Sarah Koontz, Christopher Crick, Junior Ndjock, Tom Wallace, Jacob Herbert

please give these guys a warm welcome! 😊

06/17/2026

Mail call!! 📫

I just got stickers in trade from Michigan Relic Hunters! They are sweet! Thank you! 👍🏼

I am always looking for sticker trades! If you want to trade just message me! 😊

06/16/2026

The best advice I can give to a new detectorist is to join a club. I did and it made me a better detectorist! 😊😉

06/15/2026

🎉 I earned the emerging talent badge this week, recognizing me for creating engaging content that sparks an interest among my fans! 😊

06/15/2026

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my bi-monthly engagement list! 🎉

Antonio Corazon Prado, Kevyn Scott, Marc Hirsh, Richelle Nota Wallace, Vonda Helton, Ben Asper, Mauro Venegas, Donnie Stanhope, Randy Koch, Jeff Cousineau, Kelli J Hepler, Ron Wise, Lori Ohnui, Jay Jacot, Steve Standfuss, Phillip Hoy, Jason Gunderman, Bill VanOss, Cody James, Colin Readmond, Carol Morey, Dwight Walters, Bob James, Godwyn Walker, Jacob Herbert, Neal Cornett, Troy McCormick, Ronnie Mello, Alfredas Greckas, Dick Smith, Tom Wallace, Julie Olson Mitchell, Michael Akerley, Leigh Erika Akerley, Tony Frangella, Joe Cannon

06/14/2026

Bucketlister Found!

This is my FIRST Standing Liberty Quarter and also my FIRST silver ...

06/14/2026

Bucketlister Found!

This is my FIRST Standing Liberty Quarter and also my FIRST silver quarter since I started metal detecting again! 🤯

Mrs. Ripcode spotted a sidewalk tear-out one evening while we were driving home from dinner. As soon as we got home, I promptly forgot all about it. 😅

The next day, I was on my way to go detecting and drove right past that same tear-out. Suddenly, I remembered what Mrs. Ripcode had pointed out and made a quick U-turn! 😂

Take an opportunity and turn it into something good! 👍🏼

05/31/26

Thanks for checking in and watching! Please like and follow! 😊👍🏼