I went to a Civil War re-enactment at Pilot Knob, MO one year. Very happy I did. None of my ancestors were in the Civil War, as all came to the US later on between 1880s and late 1920s, but this was one of several Civil War sites I've been to. I am also on Ancestry.com and love it for doing my dna ancestry. Have been able to confirm one of my grandparent's lineage for several generations back now because of their services and others doing dna, too.
I live in Northern New Jersey as well, thought about getting a metal detector but didn't think it was worthwhile. Where in the world did you find a 1794 dime? I live in Morristown, a mere mile away from where the New Jersey coppers were made, but from reading about the manufacturing process I very much doubt that any of these were simply dropped or lost. On the other hand my house borders a small national park - Fort Nonsense - where Washington's troops spent a winter. There is a sign that says "No metal detecting" however. Still, there is my property - I have found parts of thick, rusted iron rope but nothing else.
Where to even start? Collecting Matchbox cars and US Coins were my first hobbys, then baseball cards (I had the entire 1965 Topps set but for the California Angels team card which inexplicably no one was able to find), then Comics, then underground comix, Hardy Boys books, science fiction paperbacks, finally ancient coins and books, catalogs and books on history and on and on and on. The baseball cards, GI Joe, and matchbox cars, and comics were tossed out, but I still have my Hardy Boys books, underground comix, US Coins and, of course, ancient coins.
Mostly the ones who were in the original ZAP - Crumb, Wilson, Freak Brothers, Moscoso, Griffin et als
I collect some comics. Not sure if you have heard of Cry for Dawn ? Dawn. by artist Joseph Michael Linsner. I mainly bought his comics for the artwork. Some of the story lines are bizzar, but good. I have heard of ZAP.
My dad has the whole line & loves it. He almost considered a tattoo of her back in the day but he has enough already and didn't. He also likes Sandman and the mainstream Marvel/DC he grew up too in the 50s and 60s. He completed all marvel lines up to #100 way before the movies made everything so high.
I too am fond of comics. I cannot say I collect them, which would not be true, but I have really many of them, only European comics of the golden age (I mean the 1970s - 1980s) and also some great mangas and recent graphic novels. At some time I also acquired some very much sought after albums dating back to the fifties, like old versions of Tintin (aaah, the old version of "Land of Black Gold", where Tintin arrived in pre-1948 mandatory Palestine, was abducted by the Irgun, then abducted again by the Arabs fighting the Jews, while the British occupiers could control nothing... The version one can find now was completely changed! Or the old version of "the Shooting Star", made under Nazi occupation, in which the villains were Americans with the Star and Stripes, and their boss a Jewish banker of New York...). I also have some original drawings and plates. My sons read all my albums and are considered by their friends as comics experts. They made me discover Japanese mangas (their passion), especially Jiro Tanigushi, probably the greatest. I am completely ignorant about American comics, though I know there are excellent things too in this area. When I retire, I will start to read them.
I have a small collection of old MAD MAGIZNES but nothing worth much. All well used, folded back covers, etc. Some Marvel and DC comics a few worth a small bit. Petroleum memorabilia, signage, collectable vehicles, planes and such. Then, shiny things. Can't seem to lay off the shiny things. One day you may see me featured on "Hoarders". My wife keeps saying that.
I collected stamps until my trading partner in Australia dropped dead mowing a neighbor's lawn. Heck of a nice guy.
Of all the video games I've played, my best times and memories go to Activision/Atari Decathlon. Good times.