David Snook and Ric Mora have opened Treasure Hunter, 1645 S. Bascom Ave., the South Bay's only businesses devoted to hobbyists who use metal detectors and gold-prospecting equipment.

Snook and Mora, both avid treasure hunters, met through the Treasure Hunters Society of Santa Clara Valley. Their shared hobby developed into a passion, and Snook and Mora realized there was no store that offered metal detectors and related equipment, as well as training and conversation. Many detectors are sold out of people's homes, Mora said.

"There's not a store in the Bay Area where people can come in, have coffee and share treasure stories," said Mora, a Willow Glen resident.

The pair put out their shingle on Nov. 5, drawing interest from the club and the community. The shop, a mere 400 square feet, celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 21 with treasure hunting celebrity Jimmy "Sierra" Normandi as its special guest.

The new shop will cater to both novice and seasoned hunters, young and old, Mora said. A rear room will be used for classes for novice seekers learning how to use their equipment, a modest library to research finds, and other events. The front room showcases a variety of equipment from sand scoops to gold pans.

The shop's metal detectors range from less than $200 to more than $1,000 and are specialized for deep hunting, beach hunting or all-around detectors to spot coins, jewelry and relics.

A locked glass case displays some cherished finds. A green patina-covered spoon, match case, silver heart and bell were recovered from a dump located on San Jose's Coleman Avenue which was buried after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. There is a Spanish coin that was used as currency in the 17th century and early 1900s pennies with mint marks from Denver, San Francisco and Carson City.

The prized find, however, is a gold coin. In 1933, in the midst of the Great Depression, the federal government recalled all gold coins. Today, those coins are a rarity.

"You could go your whole life and not find a gold coin," Mora said.

Mora describes enthusiasts as those who have patience and enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Many are history buffs. It is also a lucrative hobby, as some hunters sell finds, he said.

There are also enthusiasts such as Warren Whited, who keep or trade their finds.

Whited stopped into the store on a January morning to talk about treasure hunting. He's been "detecting" since the 1960s and was fascinated by antique bottles. He joined the treasure hunting club in 1995 and now enjoys discovering old coins and artifacts.

For Whited, "detecting" is not limited to treasure. Whited was part of the club's evidence recovery team that helped the office of the sheriff in Monterey County uncover evidence in a murder case in 2002.

Club members were asked to help the sheriff find a gun used in a homicide committed 15 years earlier near Salinas. The team had scoured acres of oak trees when Whited's detector found an ammunition box buried in the ground. The gun was in the box. Modestly, Whited said, "I was just lucky to be the one to find it."

Some seekers go treasure hunting daily, while others attend organized events, such as club hunts, only a few times a year. Locally, hunters seek out old privies--or outhouses--parks and beaches. Mora always keeps a metal detector in the car.

Treasure Hunter is also reaching out to the area's Hispanic community, which Mora said is full of avid treasure seekers fueled by Mexican legends of fortune buried beneath flames seen from a distance.

Besides their treasured finds, Mora and Whited said the treasure hunting community is a way for people to unite.

"The richest find is your friends," Whited said.

The Treasure Hunter is located at 1645 S. Bascom Ave. Suite 9, Campbell. For more information, call 408.371.8750.