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Home » Hobbies & Crafts » Fun With Coins » Using Metal Detectors To Find Old Coins – Metal Detector Reviews & Tips For Metal Detecting

Using Metal Detectors To Find Old Coins – Metal Detector Reviews & Tips For Metal Detecting

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Whenever people rummage around in their pockets or bags for things, they inevitably drop loose change onto the ground sometimes.

Usually, these coins are never missed by the people who dropped them.

And soon the coins become trampled into the dirt or otherwise hidden just below the surface.

What if you were lucky enough to find some old long-lost coins that are now extremely rare?

Grandpa and grandson are comparing their metal detectors and looking for old coins in the ground

Here’s how you can use a metal detector to find old coins…

 

Lost Treasures Await

Just like the “gold in them thar hills,” only a very small percentage of lost coins have actually been found.

Fortunately, today we have the advantage of technology that can help us to zero in on lost treasures.

If you’re looking for lost coins, then a metal detector will become your new best friend.

With the help of a metal detector, you can check every square inch of public space — including popular gathering places from many years back (where some of the most valuable coins might be found).

An example of old coins found with a metal detector.

These are some of the old coins and other metal treasures found with a metal detector.

 

How Metal Detectors Work

First patented by Fisher in 1931, the metal detector was used during World War II to clear mine fields. As time has marched on, metal detectors have continue to improve.

Today’s metal detectors are more sensitive and discriminating than ever before. Not only do they indicate whenever a metal item is somewhere below, some of the better metal detectors can even distinguish between junk and valuable coins.

Some metal detectors can also give you a good indication of how far down the item will be found and what you can expect to find there.

 

Before You Buy A Metal Detector

Purchasing a metal detector can be a confusing process.

Those who have achieved some success in the hobby of metal detecting will recommend that you buy your metal detector from a store that specializes in the field.

The reason: they can give you some basic instruction that will be very helpful. Plus, there may be a local metal detector club they can steer you to. The help of someone who understands the finer points of the hobby will greatly increase your potential for success.

Here are some metal detector dealers by state.

 

Where To Buy A Metal Detector

Here are some good places to start researching metal detectors online. And if you find the one you like, you can even buy it online from one of these reputable dealers:

  • White’s Metal Detectors
  • Kellyco Metal Detector Superstore
  • Garrett Metal Detectors
  • Amazon Metal Detectors
  • Tesoro Metal Detectors

 

Fun Places To Go Metal Detecting

Here are some good places to go hunting for coins, with a metal detector in hand:

  • Public parks
  • Courthouse grounds
  • School yards
  • College campuses
  • Spectator areas at athletic fields
  • Parking lots
  • Public beaches
  • Boat launches
  • Fishing piers
  • Anywhere that people have gathered in groups

If you’re going coin hunting on private property, always get permission from the land owner first. It’s wise to settle up front how any finds will be divided, because even though you may be the lucky finder, the property owner has claim to what is found on his property.

Keep in mind, many old gathering places have disappeared over time. That’s why a trip to the local library might be in order. Researching historical records may yield some good clues about gathering places of the past that could be worth exploring.

For example, did the circus come to town in years past? It’s almost guaranteed that spectators dropped coins into the dirt while walking the midway.

Succeeding in your quest for rare old coins will be determined by you willingness to find good spots that no one else has thought of . It’s a proven fact that it isn’t the fanciest metal detector that finds the treasure, it’s finding the right location to hunt in the first place that will make the difference!


Metal Detector Reviews & Tips

  • Metal Detector Glossary
  • Metal Detector FAQ
  • Tips For Metal Detecting
  • 12 Ways To Make Extra Money With A Metal Detector
  • Metal Detector Reviews Blog
  • How Metal Detectors Work
  • Metal Detectors Buying Guide
  • Metal Detector Reviews

Listen to Bud Light’s Real Men of Genius “Mr. Beach Metal Detector Guy”:

https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/files/Bud_Light_Real_Men_of_Genius_Mr_Beach_Metal_Detector_Guy.mp3

Curtis
Curtis

I’ve been involved in RVing for 50 years now — including camping, building, repairing, and even selling RVs. I’ve owned, used, and repaired almost every class and style of RV ever made. I do all of my own repair work. My other interests include cooking, living with an aging dog, and dealing with diabetic issues. If you can combine a grease monkey with a computer geek, throw in a touch of information nut and organization freak, combined with a little bit of storyteller, you’ve got a good idea of who I am.

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Filed Under: Fun With Coins, Hobbies & Crafts Tagged With: Budget Coin Collecting, Coin Clubs, Metal Detecting Coins, Pocket Change, Rare Coins

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About Me

JoshuaI'm the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century. I'm a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I'm also the editor at CDN Publishing (a trusted source for the price of U.S. rare coins), editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I've contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek. I've also authored nearly 1,000 articles here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins (many of them with over 50K shares), and I welcome your coin questions in the comments below!

Joshua: View My Blog Posts

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