Meet Brian Murphy, 41, a seasoned detectorist from Wexford, Ireland, who has turned his passion for metal detecting into a journey of incredible finds. Earlier this year, at Detectival 2024 in Cambridgeshire, UK, Brian struck gold – literally! Using his Minelab Equinox 900, he uncovered a stunning hoard of 18 full-gold guineas dating from 1760 to 1790, featuring shield types and crests of George III! ?
Brian's journey into metal detecting began after an accident seven years ago. Determined to try something new, he took inspiration from TV and YouTube, teaching himself the ropes. Starting with a Garrett AT-Pro, Brian enjoyed some memorable finds on the beaches of Ireland, including an engagement ring he managed to reunite with its owner, who was 8 months pregnant at the time!
But Brian was ready for an upgrade. Just four months before Detectival, he switched to the Minelab Equinox 900, aiming for greater depth, versatility, and performance. And what a decision that turned out to be! “I bought my Equinox 900 from Colin Reddick at Detecting Northern Ireland and I’m really enjoying using it so far, it’s great on the beach.”
While Brian mainly hunts beaches in Ireland due to the strict regulations around land detecting, Brian has thrived at events like Detectival, where he doesn’t have to worry about permissions and can enjoy the thrill of the hunt. "I love the comfort of detecting in this environment" Brian says, "and the people I meet there make it even better."
At Detectival 2024, after finding his feet tired, Brian casually wandered into Field 19. Within moments, he began pulling out coins – one after another! It was like a trail of gold. "I couldn’t believe it – at first I was finding one guinea at a time, until I had six of them. Then two holes with two in, but on my last shovel, eight coins just spilled everywhere!" he recalls. Once Brian realised, he was on to something good, he didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t with any of his friends, and he couldn’t see an event marshall. He called his friends frantically and although he was on his own for a short while, support soon came flooding in.
For Brian, the support from the metal detecting community has been invaluable. "I needed the support as I didn’t know what to do," he admits. "Annie, the archaeologist, put me at ease and guided me through the treasure trove process." Brian would also like to thank the whole team at Detectival, Daniel Spencer from the Searcher, and Luc Van Assche and Ciaran from Minelab who also supported him with ensuring as many of the coins were retrieved as possible.
Brian is now waiting to see how the treasure process unfolds, and he’s leaving it up to the landowner as to where the coins will reside. And to top off this incredible day, Brian won a Rutus detector in the raffle! "What a day!" he laughs.
Events like Detectival have become a highlight for Brian, offering not just the thrill of discovery, but also the chance to socialize and connect with others who share his passion. "I am so happy that events like Detectival exist," he says. "It's a great place for people like me to meet, learn, and enjoy the sport without worrying about permissions."
With his new Equinox 900, Brian is already looking forward to the next adventure. As he puts it, "The good days can happen to anyone!"?
Congratulations, Brian, on your amazing find! We're thrilled to be part of your story. Happy hunting and may there be many more treasures in your future!
Find out more about the Equinox 900!
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