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Welcome to the National Council for Metal Detecting

Promoting, Protecting and Encouraging Metal Detecting for over 40 years.
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Welcome to the NCMD

At the NCMD we love metal detecting! For over 40 years we have promoted, protected, and encouraged metal detecting for our members and the wider Metal Detecting Community.

We are formally recognised by the UK Government and play a vital role in representing members on the creation of any changes to legislation that may affect our great hobby.

Our introduction video is a great way to get to know us and learn what we are about.

Getting started with metal detecting

About us

Who we are and why we do it.

Why join?

Benefits of joining the NCMD

Detecting advice

Get advice and guidance on metal detecting

News

Catch up on our latest news

Major finds help

Our Major Finds Excavation Fund can help you with important finds

FAQ

Our FAQs can help with additional questions/advice

The NCMD app

Our free mobile app is a great tool for NCMD members to log the position of find spots, take pictures, as well as adding key notes about the find. This makes it easier if it’s a reportable find, as you can look back on the information when talking with the FLO (Finds Liaison Officer).

You can also backup and save your finds data to a secure server, which only you have access to. A great option should you change/lose your phone. (The NCMD does not have access to the server.)

Members can also chat with each other through the online community forum, great for asking questions and sharing knowledge. You also have instant access to your digital membership card.

Once you have purchased NCMD membership you can download the app from Apple or Google Store via the following links.

Download on the App Store
Download on the Play Store

NCMD Merchandise Shop
We have recently launched a merchandise shop where members can buy branded items such as caps, tshirts, hoodies and mugs.

While the shop is only open to NCMD Members, anyone can buy a gift voucher for a member. Great for those struggling to buy something for that metal detectorist in their life. The voucher gets sent straight to the member and they can use it to purchase anything from the merchandise shop.
(Vouchers cannot be used to purchase NCMD Membership)

If you are member you can visit the shop by logging into your NCMD account and scrolling down to the merchandise page under the ‘Members Only’ menu.

For non-members who wish to buy a gift voucher for an NCMD member you can use the button below.

Buy NCMD Gift Vouchers

Latest news

NCMD Launches Merchandise Shop

We have recently launched a merchandise shop where members can buy branded items such as caps, tshirts, hoodies and mugs. While the shop is only open to NCMD Members, anyone can buy a gift voucher for a member. Great for those struggling to buy something for that metal detectorist in their life. The voucher gets sent straight to the member and they can use it to purchase anything from the merchandise shop. (Vouchers cannot be used to purchase NCMD Membership)

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31 October 2024 No Comments

Norman Conquest Coin Hoard

A Norman Conquest Coin hoard has been acquired for the nation by the South West Heritage Trust. Thanks to major funding including from the National Lottery and Art Fund. The hoard consists of 2,584 silver pennies from the period c. 1066–68, likely buried for safekeeping in the turmoil of the Conquest. The hoard has been valued at £4.3 million making it the highest value treasure find ever. The acquisition and associated engagement project are made possible thanks to the generous

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23 October 2024 No Comments

Report on Metal Detecting in England and Wales.

In April there was an inquiry into Metal detecting in which the government requested feedback from organisations within the detecting community. APPAG (All Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group) is a group of MPs and Peers in the Palace of Westminster from various different political parties with an interest in archaeology. The group is chaired by Tim Loughton MP. The NCMD provided a 10-page response to their questions, highlighting key issues and how we could work together going forward. Although this was provided

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18 October 2024 No Comments

Scottish Treasure Trove Review – Final Report

The final report of the Scottish Treasure Trove review has now been published. While the feedback gathered by the Review team has demonstrated support for the core principles of the treasure trove system, respondents do want the existing system to work better. It was good to see that despite a small number of respondents suggesting that there should be some form of licencing system for metal detecting, it was not believed that such as system would be of any benefit.

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4 October 2024 No Comments

NCMD Monthly Finds Competition

The NCMD Monthly Finds competition will be commencing soon. The competition will be known as the Trevor & Sue Austen Memorial Awards after the main founders of the NCMD and will be open to all NCMD members. Each month, you will be able to showcase your best finds by  entering the categories of Best Coin and Best Artefact, and there will be an under 16’s competition running alongside. The monthly winner from each category will receive a cash prize and a trophy. The winners from each month will then automatically be put forward to compete in our yearly

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16 July 2024 No Comments

Scottish Treasure Trove Review

The NCMD is pleased to have contributed to the review of the Scottish Treasure Trove system, which is due to end in September this year. We have ensured that the views of metal detectorists have been represented by engaging in direct dialogue with the review team. Participating in the Review’s Advisory Group and by responding to the public consultation. We look forward to reading the final report when it is published later this year.

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13 July 2024 No Comments

Dig with confidence

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