At this point, coin hunting remains the most popular activity in metal detecting. Over hundreds of years, people have been dropping coins around, resulting in a lot of interesting tiny treasures for us to find.
But you need the best metal detector for coins to have the best discoveries, and here’s how to find one.
Here are the best metal detectors for coins you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Advanced Metal Detectorist: sakobs Metal Detector, Higher Accuracy
- Most Durable: Fisher F22
- Best For Beginners: Canway Metal Detector High Accuracy Adjustable Waterproof Metal Finder
- Lightweight: DR.ÖTEK Lightweight Metal Detector
- Best For Deep Coins: Garrett Ace 200 Metal Detector
- Ultra Accurate: AMYSPORTS Best Accuracy Metal Detector
| 6 Best Metal Detectors For Coins | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Advanced Metal Detectorist | sakobs Metal Detector, Higher Accuracy | |
Most Durable | Fisher F22 | |
Best For Beginners | Canway Metal Detector High Accuracy Adjustable Waterproof Metal Finder | |
Lightweight | DR.ÖTEK Lightweight Metal Detector | |
Best For Deep Coins | Garrett Ace 200 Metal Detector | |
Ultra Accurate | AMYSPORTS Best Accuracy Metal Detector | |
Best For Advanced Metal Detectorist: sakobs Metal Detector, Higher Accuracy
- All-around versatility & high sensitivity – adjustable stem’s length, three detecting modes, & expanded 10” diameter search coil
- Able to work underwater and outdoors – waterproof search coil
- Easy to track detecting metrics – backlit LCD screen display
- The included shovel is cheap
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced metal detectorist, a kid, or an adult, this unit is sure to make your detecting more efficient and time-saving. Why? The reason is its expanded 10” diameter search coil, which enhances the machine’s sensitivity.
This coil besides is waterproof, which comes in handy for detecting metal underwater while the stem’s length is adjustable from 41.3” to 47.6”.
You’ll get three strong and accurate discrimination modes easily adjusted by a press of a button.
And, the LCD screen display with backlight is perfect for tracking volume level, battery condition, sensitivity level, and detection mode, whether in daylight or at night.
| sakobs Metal Detector, Higher Accuracy Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 20.4 x 11.4 x 6.3 inches |
Weight | 5.74 pounds |
Depth Adjustment | 8.7” |
Operating Frequency | 6.4~6.8KHz |
Highlight Features | adjustable stem’s length, three detecting modes, & expanded 10” diameter search coil waterproof search coil backlit LCD screen display |
This year, the sakobs Metal Detector, Higher Accuracy is atop the rankings and becomes our pick for advanced metal detectorists.
Most Durable: Fisher F22
- Great durability - weatherproof construction and waterproof search coil
- Customizability & various adjustment options - 4-Tone Audo-ID System, a 0-99 numeric Target-ID, and 9-Segment Target Categories
- Decent target separation and sensitivity – feature 4 detecting modes & ultra-wide diameter search coil
- The whole construction isn’t waterproof
Unlike the previous metal detector, this one isn’t waterproof so it is perfect for detecting on dry sand.
A highlight is that if compared to other similar counterparts, it might be the most durable due to the weatherproof construction and waterproof search coil.
Regardless, it is easy to customize your own tones as well as easy to detect buried targets, all thanks to the 4-Tone Audo-ID System, a 0-99 numeric Target-ID, and 9-Segment Target Categories.
It’s also known for decent target separation and sensitivity. Operated by two AA batteries, it can last up to 30 hours of continuous use.
| Fisher F22 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 22 x 8 x 5 inches |
Weight | 3 Pounds |
Operating Frequency | 7.69 kHz |
Highlight Features | weatherproof construction and waterproof search coil 4-Tone Audo-ID System, a 0-99 numeric Target-ID, and 9-Segment Target Categories feature Pinpoint, Notch, Sensitivity, and Discrimination the ultra-wide diameter search coil |
Based on its decent durability levels, the Fisher F22 is a metal detector that can last a lifetime.
Best For Beginners: Canway Metal Detector High Accuracy Adjustable Waterproof Metal Finder
- Help you easily know the type of metal you’ve just detected – provide various audio tones & seven target categories
- Enhance your detecting efficiency – adjustable disc ranges
- Supportive and effortless during the use – armrests
- Able to avoid junk metal & pinpoint a target precisely
- The tone sounds are a bit low
- Require you to hold down the pin-pointer button all the time
This budget-friendly, easy-to-use metal detector is our proud choice for beginners.
Despite the competitive price tag, it still provides seven target categories and allows you to easily know the type of metal you’ve detected through specific audio tones.
It can eliminate false alarms, detect underwater, and pinpoint a target precisely. The disc ranges are adjustable for your detecting efficiency improvement, which is a good plus.
Last but not least is the added armrest to provide extra support to you during extended detecting trips.
| Canway Metal Detector High Accuracy Adjustable Waterproof Metal Finder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 6 x 12 x 16 inches |
Weight | 5.44 pounds |
Depth Adjustment | 8” |
Operating Frequency | 6.5khz. |
Highlight Features | provide various audio tones & seven target categories adjustable disc ranges armrests |
Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, the Canway Metal Detector High Accuracy Adjustable Waterproof Metal Finder is worth a try as it’s very easy to use.
Lightweight: DR.ÖTEK Lightweight Metal Detector
- Help you detect valuable metals in less time – 5 upgraded sensitivity control options
- Able to find a sole type of metal up to 10” deep underground – powerful 9.8” search coil
- Less hand fatigue during extended detecting trips – the weight of 4.34 pounds
- It has no notch mode
Whether you’re an enthusiast or a professional, you will surely love this metal detector.
It emphasizes unparalleled sensitivity control over accuracy – something that lesser designs hard have, which also means it takes you less time for digging.
But if you like to join extended detecting trips, just worry-free as this unit is very lightweight (only 4.34 pounds of weight in total).
Among the five metal detecting modes that it has, we really like the Memory setting as it can remember a new kind of metal then detect only that one. The 9.8” search coil is powerful enough to detect a quarter coil up to 10-inch deep underground/underwater.
| DR.ÖTEK Lightweight Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 21.9 x 10.8 x 4.3 inches |
Weight | 4.34 pounds |
Depth Adjustment | Up to 8” |
Operating Frequency | 6.4-6.8kHz. |
Highlight Features | 5 upgraded sensitivity control options powerful 9.8” search coil large LCD display |
In need of a lightweight metal detector for coins? The DR.ÖTEK Lightweight Metal Detector is a shining contender.
Best For Deep Coins: Garrett Ace 200 Metal Detector
- Able to find deeper coins – depth adjustment up to 12”
- Deliver better stem stability - new Camlocks
- The LCD screen isn’t waterproof
The DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector held our record for detecting the deepest coins until this unit came. It has proved itself over and over again by finding the exact location of a quarter coin up to 12” deep underground.
The coil is waterproof, which is a big plus for using underwater, at the beach, or in the river.
It gives you four sensitivity adjustments, a comprehensive LCD display, and dual-tone audio target identification.
The unit also features new Camlocks for better stem stability so, during the use, your hand will feel less tired.
| Garrett Ace 200 Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 22 x 11 x 6 inches |
Weight | 4.2 Pounds |
Depth Adjustment | 12" |
Operating Frequency | 6.5 kHz |
Highlight Features | depth adjustment up to 12” new Camlocks |
If your targets are deeper coins, give the Garrett Ace 200 Metal Detector a try
Ultra Accurate: AMYSPORTS Best Accuracy Metal Detector
- Offer exceptional detecting accuracy - three built-in detecting modes
- Able to scan large areas - 10” search coil
- Unclear instructions
What we love the most about this professional metal detector is its unrivaled accuracy due to the three built-in detecting modes – SENS, DISC, and Notch.
While the unit enables detection of all metals, you can customize it to only locate a certain type, especially if you know exactly the metal composition of targets.
Another huge bonus is that it is able to scan larger areas (whether dry sand or underwater) thanks to the 10”, waterproof search coil.
| AMYSPORTS Best Accuracy Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 22 x 11 x 5 inches |
Weight | 2.42 lbs. |
Depth Adjustment | .3.6”-6” |
Operating Frequency | 6.29KHz. |
Highlight Features | three built-in detecting modes 10” search coil |
Grab the AMYSPORTS Best Accuracy Metal Detector if you’re looking for an ultra-accurate metal detector for coins.
How To Choose The Best Metal Detector For Coins?
Ground Balance
The Ground Balance is a crucial feature when detecting coins, especially if you’re on an iffy ground with salt and iron oxides that result in false signals.
The feature will cancel out such distracting signals from ground signals.
While most cheap detectors have a preset ground balance, this is only suitable for recreational users. If you are a more serious coin shooter, you should go with a model with automatic or manual ground balance.
Discrimination
The discrimination in a coin detector helps you with filtering out iron and junk targets so that you can focus more on finding coins. But screw taps and pull tabs respond similarly to certain types of coins.
Therefore, you need increased discrimination will filter out unwanted targets to avoid misinterpreting or passing good targets.
Very low-frequency detectors come with excellent, precise discrimination. Meanwhile, pulse induction models are specialized for very deep detecting as well as gold prospecting. These are the types you should avoid for coin-shooting as they have little or no discrimination at all.
Frequency & Search coils
The older the coin, the larger the depth it lies at, and the maximum depth a detector can go is determined by its frequency.
A low-frequency metal detector (2 to 4 kHz) can hit far deeper than a higher-frequency model (5 to 10 kHz). For coin searching only, you should opt for a lower frequency to detect older coins.
However, there are also detectors with multi=frequency technology, which cost more but are perfect for serious hobbyists. Some models have up to 28 frequencies ranging from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz.
The shape of the search coil is also important. Concentric search coils are suitable for pinpointing and they may have the best configuration for sensitivity.
Skill Level
The choice of metal detector is associated with your skill level in coin shooting. For example, a beginner can do fine with cheap models between $100 and $400.
But someone with advanced skills will benefit from mid-range and high-end models that may cost from $500 to $2500. These detectors come with adjustable settings and additional frequencies for other metals.
And there are also models with prices ranging from $700 to $1000 for beginners who look to improving their skills in coin shooting. So, when shopping for a metal detector, keep your skill level in mind to make the right choice.
Pinpointing
When detecting a target, you will need to find the exact location of the potential coin and dig a tiny hole. Most existing detectors offer an electronic pinpoint function. And the pinpointing efficiency is also affected by the type of search coil as well.
While concentric search coils are faster and easier to use, they have their own downsides. Therefore, it’s important to practice to master the search coil you have. You can also consider getting a handheld pinpointer too.
Which Brands Make The Best Metal Detector For Coins?
sakobs
This company has over 15 years of experience in making metal detectors. If you want a professional machine, this is the brand for you. It offers high-quality models with great accuracy and multiple modes.
Fisher
Founded in 1931, this brand has become one of the most reliable places to buy metal detectors. It focuses on technology to allow you to quickly detect coins.
Garrett
From the first metal detector in 1964, this company is now among leading brands, best known for the affordability it delivers.
FAQs
Are metal detectors worth buying?
If you have a passion for going outside, searching for hidden treasures, it’s definitely worth an investment.
Can you find coins with a metal detector?
Yes, of course, especially if you choose the right machine for this purpose.
Where can I find old coins with a metal detector?
You should consider searching in a neighborhood with old, abandoned houses.
Are all metal detectors good for silver coins?
Yes, they can detect silver coins. Metal detectors with low frequency are better.
Can cheap metal detectors find coins?
Yes, they can.
Conclusion
All in all, this post not only shows you how to find the best metal detector for coins but also lists out the best brands of metal detectors to look at. We hope that it will help you get the perfect product for your search
