Best Metal Detectors for Coins

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detectors for finding coins

Finding coins with a metal detector is the oldest, easiest, and most popular metal detecting hobby.

Although it's arguably the most common reason for buying a metal detector, not all metal detectors are designed with coins in mind. When it comes to coin hunting, knowing about a few important features will ensure you find the most targets and don't waste too much time on trash and other non-desirable metal items.

Notch is a feature that works to suppress certain levels of conductivity and it is important for coin finders because it lets you control what levels will and will not ping your detector. This allows for a narrower detection range and allows you to home in on your targets.

Ground Balance works to suppress signals from mineralized soil, which would trigger your metal detector, and only returns target signals. This prevents you from digging up dirt that is just dirt and keeps you on the trail of targets.

5 Best Metal Detectors for Coins

This is our list of the best metal detectors for coins. For other types of metal detecting, read this guide to the best metal detectors.

There are a lot of old coins, gold coins, silver coins, relics, artifacts, and other treasures that have been scattered over time. If you are getting in to coin shooting, these products are what you want to buy.

1. Minelab Equinox 800

Minelab Equinox 800

The is perfect for coins, with a unique simultaneous multi-frequency feature. The Minelab Equinox 800 is the best metal detector for coins in addition to being an excellent and easy to use detector for about every search condition one could imagine.

Minelab has developed a rapid multi-frequency technology that essentially covers 5 times the spectrum simultaneously.

This is the top end of the Minelab Equinox series, which allows for the use of five distinct frequencies, simultaneously. The Minelab Equinox 800 provides a choice of five single frequencies as well, covering a larger range than the previous model which only had three frequencies available.

Multi-IQ Technology

Minelab's Multi-IQ technology uses 5 discreet frequencies simultaneously. The user can also select to use a single when desired.

Different metals react best to different frequencies. Most metal detectors that are made for detecting gold use a frequency of 18 kHZ for this reason. This metal detector technology greatly expands the range of targets that can be accurately detected, and the conditions where you will be able to find them.

2. Garrett ACE 400

Garrett ACE 400

The Garrett Ace 400 metal detector is the best of Garrett's acclaimed mid-range line of metal detectors. As would be expected, it has a number of higher-end features and a different approach to high iron metals.

The Garrett Ace 400 metal detector has a feature called Iron Audio that emits a noticeably different rejection sound for iron, letting you know it is there instead of ignoring the hit.

The reason this is important is because you may have junk metal right next to gold, confusing the signal.

With the Garrett Ace 400's fast recovery time, you can literally sweep over a metal bottle cap and then a gold coin and hear both of them independently.  Without this recovery speed, it would be easy to interpret the signal as one hit.

We chose this metal detector over the Garrett AT Pro due to the lower price. Both are great for metal detecting and looking for gold coins, but the higher price of the Garrett AT Pro is just not necessary for this type of hunting.

Garrett ACE 400 search coil

For ease of use, the Garrett ACE 400 metal detector also provides a visual target analysis, showing the discrimination pattern as well as the metal's conductivity. Combined with a system that includes 100 target identification presets, this cuts down tremendously on wasted time spent digging up trash instead of treasure.

This metal detector has a nice accessory kit that includes a cover, control box environmental cover, and Garrett headphones.

Specifications

  • Increased Resolution
  • 4 Discrimination Ranges
  • Notch Discrimination
  • 5 Search Modes
  • Pinpoint Mode
  • 8 Sensitivity & Depth Adjustments
  • Digital Target ID
  • Adjustable 10 kHz Frequency
  • Depth Indication
  • Large 8.5″ x 11″ DD PROformance Search Coil
  • 2 Year Warranty

3. Teknetics Gamma 6000

Teknetics Gamma 6000The Teknetics Gamma 6000 is a metal detector that is excellent for finding coins in rough terrain.

This metal detector's GroundGrab control and features come together to give you the best experience metal detecting coins in less-than-ideal cicrumstances.

The Teknetics Gamma 6000 uses advanced ground features, including an ‘All Metal Pinpoint' mode that returns how deep the coin is buried. The screen also shows a mineralization readout, allowing you to adjust your settings accordingly.

Like all good detectors, the Teknetics Gamma 6000 has a variable notch system. To further aide in targeting coins, it also allows you to set category icons and numeric target-ID numbers. Compared to other coin hunting products on this list, it uses one of the lowest frequency ranges, going up to just 7.69hKz, but still well within the ideal range for finding gold coins.

The Teknetics Gamma 6000 detector also has one of the best battery runtimes compared to other detectors on this list, lasting an impressive 25 hours on a 9V battery.

Additionally, the detector is the lightest on this list, weighing just 2.3 lbs, adding to the benefits of using this for long periods as you will not tire as quickly. The 8-inch waterproof coil is smaller than its counterparts, but this is a bonus when using this metal detector in tight spaces. Lastly, the length can be adjusted from 43 – 53 inches and Teknetics offers a 5 year warranty on the Gamma 6000 detector to keep you detecting for many years to come.

4. Fisher F75

Fisher F75Being in 4th place on this list doesn't discredit this metal detector in any way, Fisher is simply up against some great competition.

This machine has some of the best features when it comes to settings and target separation. To start, the custom FeTone system lets you choose Iron Audio settings to help you home in on your targets. There is also a double-filter mode which is ideal for heavily trashed areas. This detector also uses digital shielding technology if you're looking for additional EMI suppression.

Technologically speaking this detector is also one of the best when it comes to the digital LCD screen and audio. The pitch can be adjusted based on the metal detecting mode you have set and the screen shows a magnetic mineralization bar graph and readout for easy scanning.

This detector is just one of two on this list with a backlit screen. Rounding out the advanced tech, the Fisher F75 has trigger-actuated FASTGRAB Ground Balance and embedded serial number storage.

A standard 11″ DD waterproof search coil is used with a search frequency that is adjustable up to 13 Khz.

Unfortunately, the Fisher F75 is the heaviest detector on our list and weighs 3.5 pounds and that is the main reason it is #4 on this list of metal detectors for coin hunting.

The extendable pole ranges from a short 43″ to 52″ and the 2-way armrest design helps to offset the tools overall heaviness by offering both forward/backward support and around the forearm design too, which makes it a good choice for people with kids.

Regarding overall usage, there is a 5 year warranty and the longest-lasting battery life of any detector on this list with a 40+ hour operating time on four AA batteries.

5. White's Coinmaster

White's CoinmasterWhite's Coinmaster is a great model for those just getting started with coin hunting. It includes all the basics of a good detector, without overly complex controls that may be intimidating to beginners. The two main points of focus are the range discrimination which has a 1-5 selection and the depth indicator. Searching is made easier by a ‘Target ID' ability that helps you identify what metal you may have found before you dig.

The Coinmaster is one of the lightest detector on this list at just 2.5 lbs. A smaller 9 inch coil is used, but it is waterproof which makes this good for detecting metal in any weather. It runs on two 9V batteries which will last around 20 hours and includes a speaker and headphone jack.

This machine uses an 8kHz frequency which is in the range for coin and jewelry targeting, though it may not be as ideal for relic hunting. Although the display is not backlit, the pole is adjustable between 46 and 51 inches.

This detector does lack some advanced features found with other top metal detectors for coins, but it is well suited for a beginner coin hunter looking to get started prospecting.

Do metal detectors work on coins?

All metal detectors can detect coins, but specialized detectors will work better. If you are trying to find coins in dry sand, it is difficult to tell the difference between a standard detector and a coin metal detector. However, using a coin hunting metal detector will make a huge difference in the number and quality of your finds when you are searching difficult, contaminated, or wet locations.

Conclusion

We've listed the 5 best metal detectors for coins on this list. From high-end options to solid entry-level options, these represent the top products for coin detection. But, how do you choose the right one for you?

Start by considering how much money you want to spend on your hobby. Once you have decided on what your perfect detector must have, look at the variety of other features that could help when metal detecting, such as Bluetooth compatibility or extensive water resistance.

Consider where you're going to be hunting most often and how technical you want to get when it comes to homing in on your target. Perhaps having a lightweight detector for hunting on the beach is more important than a metal detector that can go underwater? Having a strong idea of what you want from the tool will help you choose the best metal detector for coin hunting.

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