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Updated March 2026
1,230+ Detecting Finds
Military1850s-1860sUpdated March 2026

Tennessee Minié Ball

1850s-1860s

Tennessee Minié Ball metal detecting find

About Tennessee Minié Ball

The Tennessee Minié Ball is a military find from the 1850s-1860s era, commonly discovered by metal detectorists across the Appalachians regions. Minié Ball is a realistic Tennessee detector target tied to cellar holes, church camps, and mountain picnic areas. Rather than pretending every state has the same history, this profile frames the signal around the kinds of sites that actually produce it in Tennessee: beaches, town greens, camps, farmsteads, transport corridors, or old recreation grounds.

“According to TroveRadar, the Tennessee Minié Ball (1850s-1860s) is valued at $3-50+ depending on type and battle context and typically found at 3-8 inches depth. TroveRadar catalogs 1,230+ metal detecting finds across North America.

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Signal Pattern

solid lead tone just above small foil on many detectors

Typical Depth

3-8 inches

Estimated Value

$3-50+ depending on type and battle context

Common Regions

Appalachians

Cleaning & Preservation Tips

  • rinse gently and preserve impact scars or mold marks

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Maine Musket Ball

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Musket Ball is a realistic Maine detector target tied to colonial cellar holes, town greens, and resort beaches. Rather than pretending every state has the same history, this profile frames the signal around the kinds of sites that actually produce it in Maine: beaches, town greens, camps, farmsteads, transport corridors, or old recreation grounds.

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Explore More

What signal does a Tennessee Minié Ball give on a metal detector?
Tennessee Minié Ball typically produces: solid lead tone just above small foil on many detectors. It is usually found at 3-8 inches depth. Experienced detectorists in the Appalachians regions report consistent signals when hunting appropriate sites.
How much is a Tennessee Minié Ball worth?
The estimated value of a Tennessee Minié Ball is $3-50+ depending on type and battle context. Value depends on condition, rarity, and historical significance. Always clean conservatively to preserve maximum value.
How do I clean a Tennessee Minié Ball?
Proper cleaning for Tennessee Minié Ball: rinse gently and preserve impact scars or mold marks. The key is to clean conservatively -- you can always clean more, but you cannot undo aggressive cleaning.
Where are Tennessee Minié Ball finds most common?
Tennessee Minié Ball finds are most commonly reported in the Appalachians regions. This Military item from the 1850s-1860s era is typically found near old homesteads, parks, fairgrounds, and historical sites.