If you’re looking to take up coin shooting, a high-quality metal detector is a must-have. These devices are capable of helping you unearth everything from dropped change to long-lost relics. The most valuable coin ever found in the United States was discovered by someone using a metal detector!
Of course, not all devices are up to snuff. The metal detectors market is quite vast. Features and capabilities vary across the board. If you want to increase your chances of finding something valuable, you need to invest in a machine with all of the right features to get the job done.
The best metal detector for coins is able to ignore the junk and highlight the treasure. Whether you’re new to the world of metal detecting or you’re a seasoned pro whose current device just isn’t cutting it, understanding what to look for can help you make an investment you won’t regret. Check out our comparison chart and buying guide below to learn more.
Top 5 Metal Detectors for Coins and Jewelry 2023
1. Garrett AT PRO – Best All-Around Metal Detector
2. Fisher F75 – Best Multi-Purpose Metal Detector
3. Teknetics Delta 4000 – Best Metal Detector for Beginners
4. Garrett ACE 400 – Best Metal Detector for Avoiding Junk
5. Minelab Equinox 600 Multi-IQ – Best Metal Detector for Versatility
Below is a list of the best metal detectors for coins and jewelry.
1. Garrett AT PRO – Best Metal Detector For The Money
The Garrett AT Pro metal detector offers a lot of flexibility. While it can be used to detect any type of metal, it does a particularly good job of finding coins.
First, this coin detector has a great ground balance system. It’s automatic, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with the settings. Though, there is a manual setting if you want more control in different ground conditions.
In addition to the ground balancing system, this model from Garrett has iron discrimination. You can choose from 40 different discrimination levels to weed out the junk, making it the best metal detector for coins.
Those features alone make it great for coin shooting. AT Pro also has a great targeting feature to help you see what objects are before you start digging. Thanks to the user-friendly control box, anyone can use it and see success in coin hunting.
➜ Read the detailed AT Pro review
- Waterproof up to 10 feet
- Comes with standalone pinpointer device
- Operates at 15 kHz
- Target ID system
- Iron discrimination filter
- Automatic ground balance
- Can’t adjust frequency settings
- Discrimination system only works for iron
2. Fisher F75 Metal Detector – Best Multi Purpose Detector
The Fisher 75 is a lightweight coin machine designed for comfort and efficiency and operates via VLF technology.
This coin hunting metal detector features three search modes: Discrimination, Motion All Metal, Static All Metal. For coin hunting, you’ll probably want to use the default preset with discrimination mode, especially if you’re a beginner.
The 13 kHz frequency at which the F75 operates is optimum for a reason. A detector operating at a higher frequency is quite sensitive for small items, so you can find coins. That comes at the expense of depth, meaning you won’t finding coins deep underground.
Also, the F75 is submersible but only up to its control box.
Definitely not a coin detector for beginners, but once you get the hang of it, you can unearth all kinds of coins.
➜ Read the review here
- Sensitivity adjustment
- Target ID
- Pinpointing
- Lightweight
- 15 feet deep functionality
- 5 years warranty
- A bit noisy
- Steep learning curve
3. Teknetics Delta 4000 – Best Coin Metal Detector for Beginners
If you’re new to the world of metal detecting for coins, this model from Teknetics may be for you. With its user-friendly controls and lightweight design, it’s very easy to use. Plus, the unit is lightweight and features a waterproof coil.
While this coin detector is accessible to all skill levels, there are some issues. For one, it only penetrates to a maximum of 8 inches into the ground. This leaves a lot of unsearched areas where coins can be hiding. Also, there’s no ground balance system. This could make it tough to use in mineralized soil.
All in all, the metal detector does a decent job of finding coins in well-controlled areas. While it won’t serve you well in tougher environments, it’s still fully capable of helping you unearth long-lost items.
- Operates at 7.8 kHz
- 3-tone discrimination
- Weighs less than 3 pounds
- User-friendly LCD screen
- Waterproof search coil
- Not as feature-rich as other options
- No setting memory system
- Only reaches depths of 8 inches
4. Garrett Ace 400 Metal Detector – Best Product for Avoiding Junk
Fourth in our list of the best coins detectors is another model from Garrett. The Ace 400 metal detector is a great option for those who are going to be looking in areas that have a lot of trash metals. It’s a well-designed device with tons of discrimination features. Plus, it’s lightweight and comfortable to use.
The best part of the metal detector is the notch discrimination system. You can manually adjust what metals to ignore based on conductivity. To accompany that, there’s an entirely separate iron discrimination system as well. To help you figure out what you’re picking up, the metal detector has a graphic target analyzer, too.
The discrimination features alone make the Garrett Ace 400 a worthy contender. The Ace 400 is flexible enough to be used in a variety of environments while coin hunting. With Ace 400, you don’t get a waterproof detector for coins, but the search coil and shaft are completely submersible.
- Adjustable frequency up to 10 kHz
- Graphic target analyzer
- Iron discrimination
- Notch discrimination
- Pinpoint mode
- Waterproof coil
- Coil can’t be used in saltwater
5. Minelab Equinox 600 Multi-IQ Metal Detector – Best Product for Versatility
If versatile performance is what you’re after, check out the Minelab Equinox 600 metal detector. From first impressions, this device looks like a sleek and simple device. It has a user-friendly LCD control box and a relatively minimalist design. Despite its look, the machine is hiding a lot of great technology.
The metal detector doesn’t just produce one frequency at a time. The Multi-IQ system allows you to search for many different targets in one go. Thanks to the accuracy of the fields, you can identify targets swiftly and efficiently. Plus, there are a few detection modes that alter settings automatically based on your environment.
Minelab Equinox 600 is one of the best detectors for coins and much more. It is a great option for those who plan on looking for coins in a wide range of settings. The multiple frequencies could increase your odds of finding something good.
➜ Full Equinox 600 review here.
- Operates at 5 kHz, 10 kHz, and 15 kHz
- Fully submersible up to 10 feet
- VLF technology
- Multiple search modes
- Target ID system
- LCD screen
- Large coil may affect the accuracy
- Design may be uncomfortable for some
Best Metal Detector for Coins Buying Guide
Before you start looking at new metal detectors, it’s good to have a basic understanding of how these things work!
Metal detectors use very basic principles to help you find hidden metals in the ground. Essentially, large coils produce an electromagnetic field. When those coils get close to a metal object, the electromagnetic field uniquely affects the object.
You see, metal is a highly conductive substance. That electromagnetic field creates an eddy current within the object. As a result, it creates it’s very own electromagnetic field. Your coin metal detector will pick up that second field, alerting you to the item below.
Of course, things get a bit more complicated than that. The technology used to power these devices has only gotten more complex in recent history.
Types of Detection Technology
There are a few different types of technologies used to find metal. Two of the most common are pulse induction and VLF technology.
VLF or Very-Low Frequency metal detectors are often regarded as the best for finding coins. They rely on different magnetic field polarities to find objects. The device itself produces a downward magnetic field, while the metal object underneath produces an upward one with reverse polarity.
The reason they are considered to be better for coins is that they produce continuous lower frequencies. Pulse induction devices create short bursts of current and rely on a reflected pulse to find objects. This technology is great for tiny objects buried deep within the ground, such as gold nuggets. However, it’s prone to missing coins that are closer to the surface.
The Trouble with Finding Coins
The truth is that most metal detectors can find coins. However, the issue that many people face when start coin shooting is efficiency and accuracy.
Let me explain…
Some of the best places to look for coins are areas that people once frequented. This could be old buildings, historic sites, old parks, beaches, and more. There’s a higher chance that these places could have old coins hidden beneath the soil.
However, there’s also going to be a lot of stuff you don’t want. Not only will you find random junk and trash, but you also have to deal with ground mineralization from centuries of settlement.
A standard metal detector may not have the ability to look past all of the unwanted junk. Instead of having the occasional “beep,” you’d be dealing with constant noise and distractions.
Must-Have Metal Detection Features for Finding Coins
The best coin metal detectors will have a selection of essential features that can improve efficiency as you search. Here are a few to look out for.
1. Notch Discrimination
One of the most beneficial features you can have is notch discrimination. This feature allows you to select certain parts of the conductivity spectrum to ignore.
Not all metals will produce a powerful electromagnetic field. Most detectors use the strength of the field to discover the object’s overall conductivity. As a result, it can determine the type of metal it’s made out of.
With notch discrimination, you can exclude certain types of metals. Most of the junk metals you’ll encounter are on the lower end of the scale, allowing you to focus your attention on things a bit more valuable.
2. Ground Balance and Mineralization Filter
Ground mineralization is your worst enemy when metal detecting coins. Small traces of metal in the soil can cause your device to go off regularly while masking targets. Ground balance settings overcome this problem.
With this feature, the device will remove the signals produced by minerals on the ground. High-end machines offer automatic filters. Though, manual ones work just as well in different ground conditions with some fine-tuning.
3. Pinpointing
Once you think you have found a coin, your job is not done. You still have to pinpoint it to dig it out of the ground.
Pinpointing features offer the precision you need to get closer to the object’s location. Usually, the signal will get louder or beep more frequently to let you know that you’re getting close.
4. Target Detection
While not always necessary, target detection systems can make your life a lot easier. Remember how we said that detectors use the strength of the magnetic field to determine it’s composition? Well, they use the same principles to suggest what the object is.
Some premium models go so far as to provide you with an outline of the hidden treasures. It’s a nice perk that can help you ignore even more junk.
Other Considerations
In addition to those features above, there’s a lot to consider when buying a metal detector for coin hunting. The following factors can affect the overall efficiency of your hunt and change the user experience.
1. Frequency Range
The frequency range of your machine will have a significant effect on the types of things you can find. Generally, a detector that can produce between 6 and 15 kHz is best for finding coins.
Many devices offer multiple frequency settings or let you adjust your settings manually. These options offer the greatest flexibility as you search.
2. Depth Capabilities
When it comes to depth, the size of the coil is important. Larger coils can penetrate deeper into the ground. But, you might sacrifice accuracy and efficiency the larger you go.
Most coin detectors can find items 3 to 12 inches below the surface. So, a medium-sized coil should do just fine.
3. Waterproofing
Do you plan on searching for coins around a lake or beach? If so, you’ll want to invest in a device with some fresh or saltwater protection. Water-resistant metal detectors are capable of withstanding splashes. However, if you want to go deeper and search under the surface of the water, you’ll need a completely waterproof model.
4. Weight
The weight of a coin hunting metal detector can make or break the experience. Take a look at a potential model’s design and weight distribution. Generally, units with arm cuffs and centrally located control boxes are the most comfortable to use. The weight is distributed evenly, reducing the load on your arm.
5. Controls
Finally, you should always consider the overall user-friendliness of the control box. Some metal detectors are very complex. They can be a bit confusing for novice detectorists who don’t know much about various settings.
On the other hand, simple controls may not offer enough variety for seasoned hobbyists. The key to finding an option that’s right for you is to match it up with your skill level and needs.
Conclusion
Finding hidden coins has never been easier with the right coin metal detector. Gone are the days of having to second-guess your alerts or digging up junk. The best metal detectors for coins offer some advanced technology to help you get past all of the things you don’t want.
Thanks to features like notch discrimination, ground balance adjusters, and more, you can set your targets high and stick to it. As you can see from our comparison chart, there are many great machines for coin metal detecting. Choose one and start searching!
