Coin Shooting: The Complete Guide
Find Old Coins Like an Expert
Master the art of coin shooting with our comprehensive guide. Learn about research, permissions, detector settings, and identifying valuable coins.
- 1Research is Everything
- 2Getting Permission
- 3Optimal Settings for Coins
- 4Coin Hunting Techniques
Successful coin shooters do homework before digging:
Historical Maps: - Sanborn fire insurance maps - Old town plats - Historical society records - Google Earth historical imagery
Key Locations: - Old home sites - Former schools and churches - Town squares and gathering places - Swimming holes and picnic areas - Old fairgrounds and racetracks
Permission hunting opens private land full of untouched finds.
Approach Tips: - Be professional and friendly - Explain what you do (hobby, not treasure hunting) - Show examples of finds (photos work well) - Offer to share finds or pay a finder's fee - Provide references if asked
Always: - Get written permission when possible - Fill all holes - Remove all trash found - Report significant finds
Frequency: 7-15 kHz range is ideal for coins
Discrimination: - Light discrimination - Accept nickels (commonly rejected) - Iron rejection moderate
Target ID Ranges: - Copper penny: 75-84 - Silver dime: 78-82 - Silver quarter: 82-86 - Clad quarter: 79-84 - Indian head penny: 72-77 - Large cent: 85-92
Recovery Speed: Fast recovery in parks, slower for maximum depth in fields.
Grid Your Sites Systematic coverage beats random hunting. Mark rows with flags.
Slow and Low Keep coil close to ground, move slowly. Rushed hunters miss deep coins.
Hunt the Edges Boundary lines, fence rows, and property edges often hold concentrations.
Change Your Angle Swing from different directions - some coins only respond to certain angles.
Return to Hunted Sites After rain, after ground freezes/thaws, with different equipment.
Detectors We'd Recommend After Reading This
Our current picks for the kind of hunting this guide covers, ranked on rating and review volume.
Nokta Legend
The Legend disrupted the market by offering simultaneous multi-frequency (SMF) at half the price of competitors. With IP68 waterproofing to 3 meters, Bluetooth aptX audio, and free firmware updates, it delivers flagship features without the flagship price. Six single-frequency options let you optimize for coins, relics, or gold hunting.
Price may vary
Garrett ACE 300
Garrett's ACE 300 bridges the gap between toy detectors and serious machines with 0-99 Digital Target ID for accurate identification. Five preset search modes eliminate guesswork for new hunters, while the 7x10" DD coil provides solid depth. Made in USA with Garrett's proven reliability at an accessible price point.
Price may vary
Garrett ACE 400
The ACE 400 hits the sweet spot in Garrett's lineup with a 0-99 Digital Target ID scale and adjustable frequency that helps reduce interference. Iron Audio lets you hear masked iron targets, preventing false digs. The included 8.5x11" DD coil covers ground efficiently while the USA-made build quality ensures years of reliable use.
Price may vary
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