Find of The Month

What is Find of The Month?

Find of the Month (FOTM) is a friendly competition open to current, paid OTTS members held from January through November of each year. FOTM is a fun way to see everyone’s finds and to encourage members to get out in nature & enjoy our awesome hobby. Points are awarded for each entry that goes towards the “Detectorist-of-the-Year” recognition program  The categories include: Item of the Month, US Coin, Foreign Coin, Token, Gold Jewelry, Silver Item, Jewelry (non-precious), Artifact, Oldest US Coin, and individual Display. See the entry form (link above) for more detailed descriptions about each category. 

Members may enter qualifying items they personally found through recreational detecting/searching since the last scheduled meeting. Only 1 item per category should be entered, unless multiple like items are found in a spill/same hole.

Non-Eligible Entry Items: Items found during competition/seeded hunts, items found in change or a Coinstar machine, purchased items, items found by someone else, or items found outside the monthly meeting period.

How To Enter on the Day of the Meeting: Please write your entry number using the dry erase marker & laminated sheets found at the FOTM table & place into the specific category listed on your entry sheet. Your entry number will be provided by the FOTM committee member or by selecting the next available number on the FOTM Talley sheet.

How are FOTM Points awarded?

During the meeting break everyone will be given the chance to fill out a voting ballot for the following categories: Item of the Month, US Coin, Foreign Coin, Token, Gold Item, Silver Item, Jewelry/Non-Precious, Artifact & Display (Oldest US Coin doesn’t need vote). All entries will be counted during the meeting & ranked 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. A silver dime is awarded for every 1st place category winner, including ties. The more categories you enter, the more points that can be accumulated.

FOTM points are awarded as follows:

          • 1st Place = 4 Points + 1 Silver Dime (Woo-hoo!!)

          • 2nd Place = 3 Points 

          • 3rd Place = 2 Points 

          • All Other Places = 1 Point

The December meeting will recognize the top 15 entrants towards “Detectorist-of-the-Year”. OTTS members are encouraged to bring in a display of their favorite finds from over the year. Current point standings will be posted in the monthly OTTS newsletter.

Absentee entries are allowed if OTTS member is unable to attend the meeting. It is the member’s responsibility to have the FOTM form properly filled out.

Please contact a FOTM committee member or a Board member if you have any questions about entries prior to the meeting for help. This will allow the FOTM committee to continue their duties.