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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

NCMD merchandise products

The NCMD Merchandise Shop

The NCMD Merchandise shop is where you can buy branded items such as caps, tshirts, hoodies and mugs.

You can also buy Gift Vouchers, great for those struggling to buy something for that metal detectorist in their life. The voucher gets sent straight to the recipient and they can use it to purchase anything from the merchandise shop.

Please Note: Vouchers cannot be used to purchase NCMD Membership.

Shop Merchandise

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

Latest news

Treasure Trove Scotland – Annual Report

The Annual Report 2024/25 on the work of the Treasure Trove Unit (TTU) and the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP) has recently been published. Extract taken from forward by the Chair of SAFAP: Overall, 2024/25 was a demanding but very positive year for the work of SAFAP and the TTU. The benefits of the time and effort of the past 3 years, particularly in addressing the COVID-19 backlog, have been realised and I am looking forward to exciting developments

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30 October 2025 No Comments

September Finds Competition Winners

Congratulations to the winners of last month’s Finds competition. What a fabulous collection of entries, these have had the judges struggling to pick a winner. Winners below along with a selection of finds the judges thought worthy of a mention.You still have until midnight on 31st October to enter the October competition and a chance to win £100+plaque for best coin or artefact. **PLUS** October is also the last month to enter for the 2025 Annual Finds competition. Monthly winners

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28 October 2025 No Comments

August Finds Competition Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the August Finds competition. Yet again our members are impressing the judges with some fabulous entries. 😀👍 See winners below and a selection of finds the judges thought worthy of a mention.You still have until midnight tonight to enter September’s competition and a chance to win £100+plaque for best coin or artefact. **PLUS** all monthly winners go into the end of year competition. Judges will vote for the best overall winner in each category, which

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30 September 2025 No Comments

July Finds Competition Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the July Finds Competition. Yet another month of fabulous coins and artefacts being entered. Winning finds below along with a selection of entries the judges thought worthy of a mention. If you didn’t win last month, there’s still time to get an entry in for the August competition which ends at midnight on 31st August. Good luck! Prize is £100 for best artefact and coin + plaque. Members can enter via website or the NCMD

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27 August 2025 No Comments

NCMD Hoard Fund Activated.

There have been two events recently that have uncovered some fabulous finds. This led to NCMD Hoard Fund being used to help local archaeologists recover the items. Ninth Region Event The first was the Ninth Region event, where someone uncovered a pot of roman coins. Our hoard hotline was called and we passed the details to the PAS via the emergency Whatsapp group. Later that evening a second pot was found, so we updated the PAS accordingly. The Wiltshire County

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21 August 2025 No Comments

June Finds Competition Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the June Finds competition. The judges are finding it more difficult to choose a winner, due to the high calibre of entries. Winning finds shown below along with a selection of other entries received. If you didn’t win last month, there’s still time to get an entry in for the July competition which ends at midnight tomorrow. (31st July) Good luck! Prize is £100 for best artefact and coin + plaque. Members can enter via

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30 July 2025 No Comments